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

martleshamitfc added 22:10 - May 2 So is Mcgoldrick fit, ready to play or is he off to Nottingham? Could be a match winner in the play off's or has he lost the plot? We could do with his magic but only if he wants to be here! Wish the truth would be told on what has happened.
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blue7579 added 23:02 - May 2 Most important thing for me is making the playoffs to prove we are making progress, like it or not think we Need a miracle to beat the scum, for all the "tabby" lovers by far the worst player in a town shirt I have ever seen, anyone who doesn't watch the ball for 90 mins will see him in wrong position, constantly passes his man onto other people, and shys away from play, need more than a miracle if he plays.

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BlueMachines added 23:04 - May 2 Well that was a long trip to Blackburn!! Would loved to have seen us grab the point ourselves but luckily we didn't need it!! I don't care that we're playing Norwich not Boro, just grateful to be there! We could've, on another day, took the points but as I've already read, I too, hope Sears is saving them up!! I haven't enjoyed it at times this season but credit MM and TC for getting us to the playoffs! Also a mention for Brentford. Great effort especially knowing the manager won't be about next season. The irony if they went up and didn't keep Warburton would be incredible. @Fat Boy Tim. I believe the 'H' in IMHO stands for honest but humble but I may be wrong.

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BlueMachines added 23:06 - May 2 *honest not humble*
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 23:19 - May 2 @Billblue - Certified high IQ lol, getaway! You shall henceforth be known as Billblue of the certified high IQ! @BlueMachines - Simply no, it's "humble", facts, they're just a google search away! Are you two the same person?
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bohslegend added 23:35 - May 2 Few comments that we don't deserve to be in the play offs which is a bit unfair. Okay we needed Reading to do us a huge favour today. But we're in the playoffs based on the whole season, not just today. Thanks so much to the players, manager and coaches for such a magnificent season. It's not over yet. If today's games twisted and turned, just wait for the playoffs! Nothing is straight forward, why can't we make it??? We have as good a chance as any of the four teams. #believe #onwardsandupwards

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Fat_Boy_Tim added 23:39 - May 2 Anyway, negative distractions aside, I think we should applaud MM for getting this team into 6th place. A lot people have said it's only thanks to Reading but that would be to avoid the fact that we had enough points at the start of the day to get 6th. It's one of the highest totals that 6th place has ever required so the achievement is even greater than normal. As for the match, we were good up until they scored, we didn't try to sit on the lead at all and it was going quite well until Blackburn scored or at least until a few minutes before. It's fair to say that Tabb and Hunt weren't great, Tabb probably edged it of the two mainly beacuse Hunt had a bit too much Adrenaline for 15 minutes of the 2nd half. Did anyone see MM having a go at him when he wanted to contest the throw-in after an uncontested drop ball? Varney coming back on the right with (if he's not injured) Parr in front of Mings will give us a much better balance and I'm willing to bet that's our line up net week. We are always a threat and will always have a chance but Norwich over 2 legs will need a massive effort. Win or lose, what an effort by this team this season, well done MM, TC and he squad. I'm a proud Tractor boy! COYB

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algarvefan added 23:55 - May 2 Think all the doubters and haters should apologise to Mick McCarthy, he has done a FANTASTIC job, kept the team spirit high, the team motivated and always been a realist, spent bugger all and brought players in shrewdly. His experience has been huge for us and so Mick & TC I salute you!! The Play Offs are a lottery, I will be behind the lads as always, but win or lose a fairly ordinary side has really achieved this season...........well done lads...proud to be a blue.

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SloughBlue added 00:18 - May 3 Let's just keep the positives going.I think it's tedious the people who are still thanking Reading.Yes they beat Derby but over the course of the season we have played well enough to deserve our place in the play off lottery.Yes it will be difficult but hope that Norwich suffer the 3rd place hoodoo!!!I would rather meet them in semi as opposed to final.Does anyone know if we can have Varney/McGoldrick next Saturday.Keep the faith.

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Surco72 added 00:32 - May 3 Has the Derby director who was a slagging us off after they beat us on Twitter been vocal tonight ?
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blueboy1981 added 00:41 - May 3 .......... we've literally got a week to sort our defence well and truly out, just seen the Goals again on the Football League Show, and quite frankly the Blackburn goals we conceded, were diabolical and laughable defending in every respect. Let's refocus, forget the euphoria for now - and meet the challenge ahead by sorting the above, otherwise we could be embarrassed, rather than moving on. Know the game - and you'll know the above is CORRECT. Live on euphoria, and all will be well in your eyes anyway.

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martleshamitfc added 00:44 - May 3 Just think , Brighton finished 20th and I am sure their supporters at the start of the season expected their team to finish minimum top 6 , just shows how far we have come this season under MM & TC , well done and let's hpe we can get to Wembley at least!
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mrmorisato added 01:15 - May 3 Changing the conversation here, but Ipswich won't win the Playoffs. I've been supporting Town for nearly 24 years and in all the Playoff ending seasons this one fills me with the least amount of confidence. Don't get me wrong I'm desperate to see the Blues play in the Premier League again and we all know its been far too long an absence from the top flight, its just some of Town's performances have been average to poor and I've seen to many home games where we have under performed. Psychologically the players will feel like its mission accomplished and Mick has met his season target of the top six, but lets be realistic here, are we going to score than them over 2 games?!?!? I don't see it myself. I'm already looking forward to next season, lets sell Bishop or Mings and re-invest in 2 or 3 quality players for next term, makes good business sense. I've already renewed my season ticket for next term, have you? COYB!!!

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battyblue added 06:15 - May 3 Mick grow a set and change the defense for the play offs its cost us dear for weeks we need Chambers in the middle to win headers from crosses also Chambers was leaving acres of space on the right i could not believe it,,i am sorry Tommy but you have not been at your best for a while now look like you are lost at times for the good of the team MM needs to do the right thing, Midfield we don't need Tabby or Hunt abysmal yesterday except Tabbys first corner , Bru should have been on instead of Hunt Earlier and we need a midfield controller with composure /a good head/and vision/ and i see that in Ambrose he would calm things down get the ball on the grass and make things happen also he has a goal or two in him the play offs is an ideal time to use his experience, these issues sorted and i can see us reaching wembly without i cannot ..coyb stuff the budgies..

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philpott2 added 06:57 - May 3 Prebbs007 I remember one 45 minutes that was worse than Stephen Hunt yesterday......Mark Fish, he was that bad that he retired from football before the ninety minutes was up! :-)
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blueherts added 07:02 - May 3 If u come 3rd or 6th it is no different - we start even. Two promoted teams we took 8 points of them. We have beaten boro and brentford and over two legs we CAN beat budgies. They are under far more pressure COYB
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blueherts added 07:02 - May 3 If u come 3rd or 6th it is no different - we start even. Two promoted teams we took 8 points of them. We have beaten boro and brentford and over two legs we CAN beat budgies. They are under far more pressure COYB
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BlueMachines added 07:43 - May 3 Fat Boy Tim. Fair enough. I looked it up and I was wrong. I was just offering a thought. Perhaps you being a little more 'H' would go a long way.
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warktheline added 09:28 - May 3 @mrmorisato, I admire your frank assessment of the current situation, and I would imagine, after this initial euphoria, something I am truly guilty of, no apologies there, many may will weight up, with all things considered, and equate a similar scenario to your good self. It's not, as some will shout, negativity or slagging off, it's an honest opinion. My personnel believe? Similar line of thinking to your post, the difference being, hope springs eternal, and whilst there is that chance, some of us, cling to it, as tight as we can. It's a funny old game football! Let's all hope so, at least over the next two games!

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blueherts added 09:52 - May 3 Warktheline - Well said 'this team will not win the Play offs' Yes , all about opinions but to have a 'supporter' being so defeatist , I find amazing Yes we have our shortcomings and yes Budgies have a stronger squad BUT , if you have watched any sport over the past 30 or 40 years - incl 1978 - you know that teams can upset the form book time and time again . We were not hammered by Norwich - in fact if you look at it , we beat Watford twice and drew twice with Bournemouth , beat Boro and Brentford , so I would say STAY POSITIVE If Bradford can beat Chelsea and Reading smash Derby of course we can beat Norwich I only hope you dont have to motivate anyone when faced with a challenge - BELIEVE - Anything CAN HAPPEN PLay offs are full of Passion , Skill , Luck and guts and this one is going to be so much more Budgies are under far more pressure as their expectation was automatic promotion So whilst we all know 'on paper' we may not be a match - we CAN beat them on the day/s Glass is half empty brigade

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blueherts added 09:53 - May 3 My post was adressed at Mr Morisato - i agree with WTL !!
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ITFC_Punch added 10:48 - May 3 Well done fellas, big well done. A very long and competitive season, much more so than the Burley, Royale days. However, the season continues with Norwich, who I hate to say are probably the strongest side in the playoffs. However, we are Ipswich, we can do this. Good luck, Suffolk and a huge amount of fans throughout the world are behind you. Lets do this...
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tractorboy7777 added 11:45 - May 3 I'm over the moon we've made the playoffs! The first time as a Town fan I've been able to celebrate something worth celebrating! (Bar a cup semi first leg win) A few changes really are needed (changes that were needed in January) but at this point I'm just glad to be in with a shout! Play offs were the aim and we did it, just! It would have been our luck to get the highest points and not reach the playoffs but thankfully that title goes to Wolves who are still bitter towards us! Bring on the play offs, can't wait!

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blueboy1981 added 13:15 - May 3 ........ blueherts - admire your optimism, BUT - our Defence, as per yesterday most recent, is so predictable, vulnerable, and not difficult to capitalise on. IF we do not correct this before next week - we could, and probably will, be punished for sure - Norwich will be well aware of our weakness - rest assurred of that. Yes, we CAN win it and I sincerely hope we do - HOWEVER we will have to improve on yesterday's performance to do so. As hard as it seems maybe (because I rate him highly) Tommy has to come out of there, and for once we play ALL square pegs in square holes, which means Luke in the centre. In doing so we will have given it our best shot - we cannot ask, or expect, more. We have the capability to beat Norwich, I am confident of that - TACTICS and attitude on the said days, will be ALL important.

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blueherts added 13:30 - May 3 Yes Blueboy - interesting at the awards dinner , MM highlighted Luke Chambers and how he has been brilliant as a captain and also playing 'out of position' I do agree that there are areas we need addressing but I just find statements like 'we will never win the playoffs' as so negative .- 4 teams in a knockout is a lottery Should Norwich beat us with their squad - Yes - Will they - Nobody knows - they have all the pressure and as I said before a great spirit can overcome better technical abiity We beat Arsenal at PR afew seasons ago with a donkey up front ! But as we say we all want us to do it and trust MM will set us up mentally and also tactically Lets enjoy the ride ! with optimism

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