Town will face East Anglian rivals Norwich City in the Championship play-off semi-finals after a 3-2 defeat at Blackburn and results elsewhere saw the Blues finish sixth. Daryl Murphy put Town ahead in the second minute but goals from Jordan Rhodes, Craig Conway and Rudy Gestede saw the home side into a 3-1 lead before Murphy netted a late penalty.

Jay Tabb's return to the left of midfield in place of Stephen Hunt was the only change to the Blues’ starting line-up, while Noel Hunt was back on the bench after his knee injury in place of Luke Varney, who was unavailable against his parent club. Richard Chaplow, fit again after a groin problem, also returned to the 18 for Elliott Hewitt.

Blackburn handed 19-year-old keeper David Raya only his second start for the club, while at the other end of the scale 35-year-old one-time David Dunn, who is moving on this summer, was included in the XI and given the captain’s armband.

Ex-Blue Rhodes started but Paul Taylor was ineligible as he is still technically a Town player.

The game couldn’t have started any more perfectly for the Blues, who began the game requiring just a point - or two results elsewhere to go their way - to confirm their play-off place.

As the clock ticked over into the second minute Bishop won a corner on the left. Tabb whipped the ball over and Daryl Murphy volleyed into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

The 2,000-plus Town supporters in the Bryan Douglas Darwen End went wild and were still cheering as their side went close to carving out a second, but Tabb’s low cross from the left was just behind Murphy and Freddie Sears.

The home side, who would finish ninth regardless of the result, seriously threatened for the first time in the sixth minute when Rudy Gestede screwed his shot well wide after Tyrone Mings had failed to clear a Craig Conway freekick into the box.

Two minutes later, the Benin international headed straight to Bartosz Bialkowski from Tommy Spurr’s long throw from the right.

But the early stages were mainly Town and skipper Luke Chambers wasn’t far from adding a second when he rose highest to get his head on another Tabb corner from the left but the ball flew over.

On 12, Spurr did well to slide in ahead of Sears as the striker looked to latch on to a low ball in from the left from Murphy.

The former Colchester man wasn’t far away from netting his 10th goal for the Blues on the quarter hour when he struck a shot from a very tight angle on the right which rookie Blackburn keeper David Raya tipped onto his bar and out for a throw, although referee Graham Scott erroneously gave it to the home side.

Neither team seriously threatened again until the 28th minute when Lee Williamson hit a shot off Mings and wide following a corner. A minute later, Christophe Berra got in a toe as Rhodes sought to turn a cross from the right goalwards.

Rovers saw more and more of the ball in the latter stages of the half with the Blues seemingly content to allow them to take the game to them. And in the 36th minute the home side pulled level with the goal coming from an unsurprising source.

Conway sent over a freekick from the left and Rhodes headed home his fourth goal in five games against his old club.

Rovers continued to press having got on terms and on 39 Cole Skuse was booked for a foul on Conway on the right. From the freekick, Dunn’s shot was blocked, then Mings got in the way of a Rhodes effort.

But on 42 Blackburn made their pressure tell and increased the stress levels in the away end. Spurr’s long throw from the right was flicked on by Gestede and Conway arrived at the far post to hit a low shot across Bialkowski and into the net to make it 2-1.

Tabb was booked for a foul on Rhosdes, then just before the whistle Bialkowski did well to paw away Gestede’s header, although referee Scott awarded a freekick for a push. The Polish keeper collided with the post and required treatment as the players made their way off.

Having made the perfect start to the game when Murphy scored, the Blues had continued to push for a second.

But gradually, they allowed the home side to take control, dominate possession and then score their two goals from set pieces to turn the game around.

Ahead of what promised to be a very nervy second half for Blues supporters, with their side fifth at this point and potentially meeting Middlesbrough in play-offs, Stephen Hunt replaced Tabb on the left of the Blues midfield.

Hunt was presented with the first decent chance of the second half after being teed-up by Sears on the left of the area following a break also involving Bishop. However, the sub blazed well over.

As Brentford went 2-0 in front at home to Wigan to push Town into sixth and closer to a play-off against Norwich, Blackburn threatened again. Markus Olsson crossed from the left and the ball fell to Rhodes, but Bialkowski was equal to his shot.

On 54, with Town having so far made little headway aside from Hunt’s chance, Paul Anderson replaced Jonny Parr on the right of midfield.

Three minutes later, Olsson sent over an awkward bouncing ball from the left with Blackburn continuing to look the more threatening side.

A minute later, Town’s afternoon got even worse. Conway crossed from the left, Mings’s clearing header hit Bishop, cannoned to Gestede on the edge of the six-yard box and the striker gratefully stabbed past Bialkowski.

Mings created an opportunity for Murphy on the hour, sending over a cross from the left after a zig-zagging run but this time the Irishman was unable to manage to strike his volley cleanly and Williamson slide the ball away ahead of Bishop.

Two minutes later, Hunt cut the ball back ahead of Murphy, then on 63 the Town top scorer rose in front of Raya as Mings sent a cross in from the left but headed over.

Blackburn claimed, with very good reason, a penalty in the 64th minute when Mings tripped Adam Henley as the right-back broke into the area on the right. Fortunately, referee Scott waved away the protests and the Blues broke, Sears smashing a shot over from the left.

As the game moved towards its final 20 minutes Hunt won the ball on the left and fed Sears inside the area, the striker cutting the ball across towards Anderson. Keeper Raya initially mishandled before claiming ahead of the Blues’ sub.

On 72 Hunt sought to make the most of a poor Raya clearance, feeding Sears on the left but Williamson got across to divert the ball behind.

Town should have pulled a goal back a minute later when Mings powered Bishop’s corner from the left goalwards. Raya did well to block but couldn’t hold on and a bouncing loose ball fell to Sears, who smashed over from five yards.

The Town support erupted into cheers as news of Reading’s second goal at Derby filtered through, calming their nerves significantly, then Murphy cut the ball back across goal from the right but somehow the ball managed to evade all his team-mates.

Rovers were only inches away from making it 4-1 in the 77th minute when sub Josh King superbly controlled and then volleyed the ball against the underside of the bar from 25 yards.

Sears had another chance to pull a goal back two minutes later when he broke into the area on the left but shot well over.

But in the 82nd minute, the Blues did make it 3-2 from only their third penalty of the season. Bishop skipped into the area and was felled by Spurr as he dived in, referee Scott having no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Murphy, who saw the only other spotkick he’d taken this season saved at Leeds, smashed his 27th goal of the league campaign into the net.

Ted Phillips (28) and Ray Crawford (33) were the last Town players to hit more than that total in Town's First Division championship-winning 1961/62 season.

With two minutes remaining, the Town fans were on their feet once again as Reading increased their lead at Derby to 3-0 to all but seal the Blues’ place in the play-offs and put the tin hat on a remarkable second half of the season collapse by the Rams.

As the match moved into injury time Murphy flicked a header from a Chambers throw to Raya but there was to be no equaliser and Town’s final game was to end in defeat.

However, with results elsewhere going in their favour that mattered little with the Blues’ place in a huge play-off semi-final against third-placed Norwich confirmed.

Town will face the Canaries in the first leg at Portman Road next Saturday (KO 12.15pm) with the second leg at Carrow Road the following Saturday (KO 12.15pm).

Blackburn: Raya, Henley, Lenihan, Spurr, Olsson, Conway, Evans, Williamson, Dunn (c) (Marshall 76), Rhodes, Gestede (King 72). Unused: Eastwood, Brown, Cairney, Marshall, O'Sullivan, Nyambe.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Berra, Smith, Mings, Skuse, Parr (Anderson 54), Bishop (Bru 84), Tabb (S Hunt 46), Sears, Murphy. Unused: Gerken, Anderson, N Hunt, Fryers, Chaplow. Referee: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire). Attendance: 16,869.

Photo: Action Images

BillBlue added 17:09 - May 2 Well that is the testing game out of the way so I am now going to say what I think! I am not MM's number one fan as you all know though I do respect him as a Championship Manager. IMO he has two failings, one is he is frightened of losing which leads to his second failing in that he plays his favourites who usually are not his best players! Again IMO, this year, the Championship was such that with a bolder MM we could have walked it and gone up as Champions, yes, when we play football we are certainly good enough to have achieved that. However, one thing I want to praise MM for, and thank him and Mr. Evans was in resisting you people who were screaming for heavy investment in the January window such as Derby committed themselves to. If we had have done that our team togetherness would have been totally destroyed as was Derby's as, indeed, was ours when with George we were flying high in the Premiership and George was suddenly given a great deal of money he didn't know what to do with! He bought in what he thought were match winners which knocked the bottom out of his team and today we are still paying for it! So thank you MM/Mr Evan's for not doing that. If we play football we shall beat Norwich and be promoted but if MM f-rt asses around we shall be beaten, up to you MM. COYB

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Pip50 added 17:23 - May 2 We can beat Norwich they are a better side but local derby play off lottery and 3rd place syndrome will be a leveler. Didn't think we would win today pressure will be on both sides next up.Then nick a 1 nil against Boro. Doesn't change my view on our tactics and manager but there you go!
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Minneapolis_ITFC added 17:24 - May 2 First and foremost take this opportunity to offer sympathy to the clubs that didn't make the top six today. Yes it was either them or us but we've been in the position ourselves when we've missed out on the final day so can appeciate the hurt and frustration of being beaten right at the very end. Do you think back in 1999 for example Bradford didn't spare us a thought on the final day when they got the result they required at our expense ? It's hard not to show a LITTLE compassion for those who didn't make it - especially after such a long and hard season - one of the best in recent years. So we play Norwich after all this ? Not the choice I would have wanted but what's done is done. They still to this day go on about the last time we played them in a semi-final and while that was 30 years ago they just can't let it go. Can't even begin to imagine how it will be if they beat us again and we don't hear the last of it. - Not that I have another 30 years left to listen to their crap and little achievements. The score today was disappointing, to let in three goals on the final day should be a concern for the last few games ahead, but McCarthy will be aware of the task in hand and for the first time since 2005 we're going to be involved once again. Norwich City will NOT stand in our way, so let's go out there next weekend, beat these..(I'm not allowed to use profanities on these pages ?) - and return the favor at their place a week thereafter and see who we play in the final. Bottom line : well done Ipswich in making the play-offs today, but we sure don't make things easy for ourselves.

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Northwestblue added 17:24 - May 2 Well that was a tense 90 minutes! I thought Sears was great in everything except his shooting and could have had a hat trick. Murphy led the line brilliantly as always and deserved his 2 goals. Over the season we deserve the playoffs and have to play like we did at the beginning and end of the game today and not the middle third. The Blackburn fans really didn't seem to wan us to go up did they? COYB

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IvorFeeling added 17:27 - May 2 Overachieved to get here and totally deserved, although we all know it hasn't been pretty. Whatever happens next it has been a good season and one that has brought hope back to the town and supporters. 3 cup finals is what MM should be saying to the team and our togetherness and attitude is set up for a cup final type battle. Bring it on.
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Seasider added 17:39 - May 2 Phew!! First Charlie ITFC, ticket details already on club website. Lucks216 agree Tabb and Hunt not good enough,and also with Stow Tractor Boy who says Smith and Parr were both poor,and actually were responsible for two of Blackburns 3 goals. Mick said the performance were poor,and our group agrees;but as Blue Boy and Bill Blue say you cannot afford to sit on a lead as we have been found out in several games including todays. Lets not be too critical though as team has done wonderfully well over the whole season. Football could have been better to watch ie Bournemouth Watford and Brentford (note first two thru and Brentford in playoffs. It wasn't til the 2nd half when we were two down that we started to take the game to the opposition as Town had in the opening 15mins. Hope Mick drops Tabb and Hunt,drops poor not so old Smithy(sorry),move Chambo in the middle,definitely start Kevin Bru as he should have done today,and put more offensive players on bench for it is vital to build a lead for the 2nd Leg. Expect its a bit too radical for Mr McCarthy but good luck anyway. We shall all be there of course for what surely must be a sell out 30,500

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ChestnutSe added 18:01 - May 2 Brilliant performance over the whole season to achieve that coveted play off place. Well done to everybody at ITFC. I thought at the beginning of the season that 6th would be our limit and would represent a huge achievement fron the team. In reality 6th is as good as 3rd cos they both qualify for the lottery. Great stuff and looking forward to the next 2 games. It will be close and tough but it's achievable for this team. The previous 2 games I thought were very close in footballing terms so everything to play for.

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ShropshireBluenago09 added 18:28 - May 2 Very poor except for the 1st 20mins, we will need to improve 10 fold if we are to have any chance of promotion.
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dukey44 added 18:31 - May 2 Buzzing at mo. At last everyones backing the team COYB !!
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marco007 added 18:32 - May 2 Well we have limped into the Play Off's, more by chance than quality, with another abject performance. I have to say that we have over performed against expectations mainly due to the goals of Murphy and the fact that there were not any consistently outstanding teams in this division. This game summed us up, good in spells, poor in others, decent strikes, terrible defending and players such as Chambers, Tabb and Hunt that although they give 100% are at best incredibly average. Unfortunately, Skuse who has been better of late was back to his mediocre self. For me the only ray of light was Bishop (until he was subbed!) and Bru when he came on as these two players have the technical skills and are able to pass to a team mate. Anyway, we have nothing to lose in the Play Off's as Norwich are miles ahead of us in terms of quality and if they play to their potential will win. Fingers crossed !

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jas0999 added 19:05 - May 2 Terrible result today, but delighted to be in the play offs. Excellent job Mick! Deserved play off place. We will need to perform better against Norwich though and I hope our small squad doesn't come back to haunt us. Few attacking options available today.
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essexbluey added 19:16 - May 2 Norwich beating us twice means nothing now. COYB.
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kidsurello added 19:17 - May 2 So so happy we are in the play offs and full credit to MM and TC and Squad, Regardless of what happens from now on have to be proud of the boys, today has still shown me that we need two old school wingers who can put a ball in. Ideal signings come the summer have to be Ben Marshall on the right side, absolute class act, and maybe adam hamill or michael lightly on the left, please please please

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warktheline added 19:17 - May 2 On to the Norwich game, how will McCarthy approach the first game? The back four appear nailed on, but with the goals we are continually conceding ,saying we need to keep it tight seems pointless. That for me, is our biggest worry. Norwich are attack minded, and will aim to put our defence under constant pressure. I agree we have enough fire power ourselves to cause them problems, but the balance between both teams favour them. This remember is over two games, therefore surely McCarthy needs to address problem areas in team!

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TimmyH added 19:22 - May 2 I don't think anybody was calling for heavy investment in the January transfer window...we needed a creative midfielder and another striker to back up McGoldrick (for the rest of the season and knew a few loans would come after that) and at the time didn't get it. BUT the signing of Sears was generally well accepted on this board and quite a few us thought he was a snip and would do well, so pleasing in that aspect. I think Derby did have some disruption with too many signings coming into their starting 11 at once, I don't think Bent or Ince were the problems (they both did quite well) I feel very surprisingly most of the team lost confidence particularly after the Birmingham home game and struggled then to win games - and that largely could be attributed to McLaren's management.

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philpott2 added 19:46 - May 2 God that was nervy......really do worry about our defending at times.....but going forward we look dangerous with the pace of Sears running at the oppo (today, he was woeful in front of goal - apart from the effort that hit the crossbar, which was class!). Poor old Hunty though, what a shocker he had, Tabb had been doing pretty well in 1st half, and SH was simply awful. COYB.......looking forward to the match next Saturday, unfortunately the kids now want to come along to PR......there again, they do tend to bring the Town luck when they attend, so maybe I should relent :-)

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Super_Cooper added 19:51 - May 2 Ha Ha Derby. Couldn't have happened better for Steve McClaren, what a K**b! Bring on the Budgies! COYB!!!
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 19:56 - May 2 @ Billblue - well done for making sure none of us is in any way overexcited, that just wouldn't do would it! As for your criticisms of MM; 1 - he's scared to lose (Good) and 2 He picks his favourites (Or the players he thinks are best, also good). Oh and the acronym you are looking for is IMHO (You seemed to miss out the "Humble" part, no surprise!)
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LWNR2013 added 20:32 - May 2 Pulse rate finally back to normal. Freddie was unbelievably good - deserved a goal. it's now 0-0 three hours to go. Stay clenched.
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Surco72 added 20:51 - May 2 Firstly to MM and TC and the players congratulations to you all for such effort over the season and achieving the goal set at the start of the season . My heart has just about stopped racing after today's events and now enjoy the lottery of the playoffs and 2 cup ties maybe 3 . Still think the defensive line up is wrong and costs us every week but nothing is going to change now ,must get Teddy on the ball more rather than constantly by passing the midfield with Bru in the team as Tabb , Hunt and Parr do not have enough quality on the ball which puts the defence under pressure . But let's see where the roller coaster ride ends And thanks again to the club for making a middle aged man so excited at this stage of the season ,it's been a while !!

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BillBlue added 20:54 - May 2 Timmy, when you say 'no-one' has called for heavy investment in January, and since, I think you are talking about your personal comments with which I mostly agree but many other people have called and recalled for just that. While I again agree that both Ince and Bent did OK for Derby I think it is the effect of two highly paid 'outsiders' coming into a team which had earned its way to the top of the Division without them and the downgrading effect it had on the overall team spirit just as it did in our team in George Burley's time, at least, that is the way I see it! Fat-Boy. My opinion is my opinion and whether you concur is totally irrelevant to me and why should my opinion be humble? It isn't! I have a certified high HQ my brain is well trained and my opinions are carefully considered before being expressed and if you disagree with them then may I suggest you enter a counter rather than nastily snarling at other peoples opinions?

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prebbs007 added 21:40 - May 2 S Hunt easily the worst 45 mins from a professional footballer I have ever seen. An absolute disgrace. Every touch of the ball was dreadful including the disgraceful return of the ball from a free drop ball !!! If that man plays any part in any future itfc game then Mick you are mad !!! The boyz deserve to be in play off cos league after 46 games doesn't lie. Can we best Norwich? I hope so but every sense of reason says no. Luckily football is not like that so let's give it a go. Play our best players which means skuse bish and bru in midfield s hunt no where near the pitch squad or town and play 4-3-3 and give them something to be scared of. Sit back and we will get smashed by a team that has spent fortunes compared to us. Good luck boys let's show them who the pride of Anglia really are !!!!

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LWNR2013 added 21:43 - May 2 HQ for headquarters or IQ for intelligence quotient? Oh wise one. But agree with the GB bit - Finidi George and Matteo Sereni = £10m if my memory is intact.
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TimmyH added 21:45 - May 2 Yes have to agree with that @BillBlue - that must to a degree underpin some of the players morale/confidence there and who have made way for Bent/Ince/Lingaard after being lets face it one of the top 2/3 clubs this season in the division until the last couple of months. Arguable that some on here were wanting heavy investment in January but certainly 'some' new faces were needed.

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essex57 added 22:05 - May 2 There must be alot regular posters wringing there hands ln despair cos they cant slag the team or management off tonite it wasnt pretty but they done what they had to do.lets all enjoy the next 2 hopefully 3 games whatever happens its been a terrific season well done all
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