Daryl Murphy’s eighth goal of the season seven minutes before the break saw the Blues to a 1-1 home draw with Preston North End, Daniel Johnson having put the visitors ahead in the seventh minute. That result and the scores elsewhere sees Town, who were denied what looked a clear second-half penalty, drop out of the play-off places.

Boss Mick McCarthy named an unchanged team and bench from Tuesday’s 2-1 victory against Leeds.

Preston made a late change to their line-up with Calum Woods replacing Tom Clarke on the right of their back four after their skipper suffered an injury in the warm-up. Paul Gallacher took the armband.

Dean Gerken was forced into action in the second minute when Gallagher smashed a freekick from 35 yards which the Blues keeper punched away from goal somewhat less than convincingly.

Two minutes later, Town broke from a subsequent Lilywhites freekick. Murphy sent Freddie Sears away on the right, but the former Colchester man’s cross failed to find a team-mate.

The visitors had started the brighter, however, and in the seventh minute they went in front.

After the Blues had repeatedly failed to clear their lines, Eoin Doyle crossed from the right and Johnson, who scored Preston’s goal in the game at Deepdale earlier in the season, saw his powerful first strike from eight yards blocked but followed up to slam in his eighth goal of the season.

Preston weren’t far from doubling their lead in the 13th minute when a well-worked freekick just outside the box ended with Gallagher curling the ball not far past Gerken’s left post.

Town, who had switched to a 4-4-2 system with Bru on the right, had made a stuttering start but in the 16th minute, following a freekick, Fraser stood up a cross from the left and an under pressure Christophe Berra headed wide at the far post.

Preston were continuing to have chances, however, and a minute later Gallagher found an unmarked Doyle with a cross from the left but Jonas Knudsen got across to dispossess the on-loan Cardiff striker before he was able to shoot.

Fraser curled a freekick from the left into Preston keeper Sam Johnstone’s arms on 21 with Town still trying to find their feet.

On 24 Sears sent over a dangerous ball from the left after good work from Knudsen and Fraser but Kevin Bru was unable to turn towards goal and the loose ball wouldn’t fall for a Town player.

The visitors continued to dominate, keeping hold of the ball for long spells, and in the 32nd minute they again went close. Doyle was sent away on the left and he crossed to Joe Garner, who diverted the ball straight at Gerken from eight yards.

Town gradually began to get more of a foothold in the game and in the 38th minute they levelled.

With the Blues starting to keep the ball far better than earlier in the game, Chambers played the ball into Murphy’s feet 25 yards out and the Irishman rolled away from his defender before hitting a low shot which beat Johnstone to his left. The keeper may feel he should have done better.

Woods was booked for a foul on Fraser then on 43 the Blues threatened again, Murphy laying the ball back to Bru on the right and skipper Chambers turning his cross against a defender and through to Johnstone. Soon after, Murphy shot over from distance.

Town will have counted themselves fortunate not to have been behind at the break. As at Deepdale earlier in the season, Preston had started the stronger and could have been several goals to the good before the Blues had got going.

Johnson took his goal well but the visitors will feel they had had enough chances to increase their lead before Murphy’s equaliser. The Blues had started to get on top at that point, although without having seriously threatened. But having gone in front, Town ended the half on the front foot.

Two minutes after the restart Fraser skipped into the left of the area and jinked his way past a couple of defenders before hitting a low shot which was too close to Johnstone.

On 55 Murphy went looking for his second of the game when he won the ball from a Preston player midway inside the visitors' half but Johnstone was able to punch his 25-yard away for a corner.

Preston had the ball in the net in the 61st minute but Ben Pearson was flagged offside as he received the return pass from a one-two. The Blues were short of men in the area as Berra had gone to ground with a head injury earlier in the move but play hadn’t been stopped.

The visitors were starting to put Town under pressure and on 66 Gallagher whipped over a cross-shot from the left following a corner which Gerken claimed at his near post.

Brett Pitman replaced Bru in the 68th minute, then Garner was booked for a late challenge on Smith.

Two minutes later, Preston keeper Johnstone threw the ball straight to Murphy on the left. The striker’s cross found Sears, who volleyed wide at the far post.

Preston claimed a penalty in the 73rd minute when Garner went to ground under the attention of Berra, but referee Hooper gave a freekick to the Blues, claiming the striker had handled the ball.

Luke Hyam replaced Douglas two minutes later, then moments afterwards Chambers broke into the right of the box and was harshly adjudged to have fouled Pearson.

Preston went within inches of going back in front in the 81st minute when Gallagher whipped over a cross from the left and Bailey Wright glanced a header just past the post.

With seven scheduled minutes remaining of what had been a scrappy, scruffy half, Luke Varney replaced Blues goalscorer Murphy.

Town repeatedly went close to scoring their second in the 85th minute. Knudsen crossed from the left, Pitman’s flicked header reached Chambers, whose close-range effort was blocked.

The loose ball ran to Varney and his strike was blocked and ran out to Hyam, whose shot was also stopped, by Preston defender Paul Huntington's hand according to the Town players, but referee Simon Hooper waved away the protests. Replays suggested it was a clear penalty.

Seconds later, the Blues threatened again from Fraser freekick on the left but somehow no Town player was able to get a touch and ball went behind off one of the visitors.

In five minutes of injury time, Sears found himself some space not far outside the Preston area but hit his shot against a defender.

Soon after, Smith couldn’t get enough on a corner from the right and Pitman was booked for a somewhat cynical trip on sub Robinson as the visitors broke.

On this occasion the Blues were unable to grab a winner in injury time and referee Hooper’s whistle signalled a draw, which was probably a fair result.

Preston had been much the better side for the majority of the first half and should have been further ahead before Murphy’s equaliser.

After the break, the Blues had the better opportunities of a scrappy second half, but never looked as fluent as they were against Leeds on Tuesday.

The result sees Town drop out of the play-off places on goal difference, down to seventh with Brighton up to fifth following their 1-0 victory at Blackburn, while Sheffield Wednesday are now sixth after their 2-0 win at home to Leeds earlier this afternoon.

The Blues, who are now unbeaten in six in all competitions, are next in action in their third round FA Cup replay at Portsmouth on Tuesday before they visit eighth-placed Birmingham - who won 3-0 away against third-placed Derby today - at St Andrew’s next Saturday.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas (Hyam 74), Fraser, Bru (Pitman 68), Sears, Murphy (Varney 83). Unused: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, Maitland-Niles, Oar.

Preston: Johnstone, Woods, Huntington, Wright, Cunningham, Browne, Pearson, Johnson, Gallagher (c), Doyle (Robinson 87), Garner (Hugill 79). Unused: Kirkland, Woods, Vermijl, Kilkenny, Welsh. Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire). Att: 21,108 (Preston: 436).

Photo: Action Images

Westy added 22:16 - Jan 16 WH is everybody so negative ? We got something out of the game and are still in a great position.
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DerryfromBury added 22:17 - Jan 16 Why o Why can't we start games with the same impetus that we seem to finish them. For most of the game the back 4 played right over the heads of the midfield. I think we let them bully us to much. It's going to be very tight for the 5th and 6th places. still a points a points and still a long way to go.
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SpiritOfJohn added 23:44 - Jan 16 Apologies to anyone at the match today but I may have cursed our chances by wearing my Barcelona style Town away shirt. It was hidden beneath several layers but it still managed to weave its dark magic as it has still failed to witness a home win. The more often it is worn the less like Barcelona we play so it has now been consigned to the bottom of the drawer. Joking aside, have the team managed any wins while wearing these shirts?

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Minneapolis_ITFC added 00:33 - Jan 17 Bottom line we're not consistent enough to properly challenge the promotion places. Teams that obtain promotions or are indeed successful maintain a regular win percentage - not to mention a fine home record - and we're not achieving neither. Not for one moment advocating McCarthy be handed his pink-slip or be removed from position, but seen it all once to often the inability to win games we should be taking maximum points from or the ball being played in the air too often - instead of to feet - that invariably causes issues. Bottom line : another frustrating game where dropped points could prove crucial at season's end, but still ample time to do something. Not expecting much from the Portsmouth game next week, not because of the opposition themselves, it's simply we won't show enough emphasis in wanting to progress further.

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blues1 added 07:21 - Jan 17 bluelady. if nething the ball may have gone for a throw in, not a goal kick but he wasn't to know if here was ne1 behind him so had to deal with it. he did make the wrong decision on how to deal with it as heading it out of the penalty area was almost impossible taking that he was at full stretch to get his head on it so should have just headed it out for a corner
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Penguinblue added 07:39 - Jan 17 Awful. Some of that kicking, I won't say passing,was pure rugby league. For those of you who love to shout budgie at a hint of criticism of the one trick pony MM - are you the same people who love to sing Sir Bobby's name (RIP). He would turn in his grave at this dross and Sir Alf, Burley, Royle, Magilton and even the dark one would be ashamed of this hoofball. What do they do in training? - kick the ball as hard as can for 2 hours each day. Sears and Fraser are exempted from this criticism. MM out.

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tallguy6767 added 07:57 - Jan 17 Should be a tenner every week coz that style of football if you can call it that isn't worth any more!
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Dissboyitfc added 08:01 - Jan 17 I cant go along with the sacking scenario, i just think that would put us back again. We have a realistic chance of the playoffs and i think changing now could scupper any chance of that. I am not a fan of the football we are playing at all( most of the time) but we need to get to the promised land and clear the debt. COYB
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essex57 added 08:25 - Jan 17 Strange post penguinblue he's achieved more than Magilton And Keane you can't compare with Robson and Ramsey total different era The football under Keane was crap just a a different type (can't call it Style) I conclude you must have Psychopathic dislike of MM
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stevelincsexile added 08:35 - Jan 17 cloodyseedbed you hit the nail on the head I fully agree with your comments.
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Fatboy added 08:59 - Jan 17 A few years ago I always feared a pasting whenever we went behind in a game. Now I always expect us to get back into it and am disappointed when we only get a draw. In the last three games we've gone behind to ex-Prem QPR and won, in-form Leeds and won and in-form Preston and drawn. We've picked up 27 points from the last 13 games, with the only two defeats coming against Derby and Middlesbrough, who looked invincible until yesterday.

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karls_dad added 09:01 - Jan 17 PJHI we may well have done last season, what i am sayinging what anyone can see, we have done exceptionally well on a shoestring squad, we overachieved last year and doing pretty much the same this year, yes we got into the playoffs, now forget the blue tinted glasses, did you honestly think we stood a chance in against far better teams, of course we did,nt! This year, just look at our little blip as some call it, we threw games aways, lost to teams that were struggling for survial, then wa had our little run of good fortune, to take us back up a little! to get out of this leauge you need quality in abundance, you need an owner thats willing to gamble, we are the longest serving team in Championship for a reason! and i think we have blown it, you just can,t hoof and hope for a complete season and get away with it! other teams do thier homework and come to upset the party which they do all too easily, we may get lucky and pinch sixth spot, but to go any further is just pure fantasy!

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PJH added 09:54 - Jan 17 Well karls_dad,I am going to Birmingham next Saturday hoping that we can get a lucky win to add to the five lucky wins plus two lucky draws that we have got in our last seven away games.One of those wins and one of those draws against two of the teams that are apparently far better than us. If we do get lucky enough to get a lucky 6th place who is to say that we might not get lucky enough to win the playoffs. Quality in abundance and owner willing to gamble worked well for Derby last season didn't it and they are now showing signs of doing the same again-or perhaps they are just unlucky. So to sum up your post,our season is basically over unless we get lucky because it is only because we sometimes get lucky that we are anywhere near the top 6. The other teams up there are of course there because they deserve to be.

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sereneblue added 10:40 - Jan 17 I didn't go yesterday as I haven't done for three seasons. I had been a season ticket holder for many years,however I had come completely disillusioned with the type of football Ipswich had been playing. After reading the above posts it seems nothing has changed, which is a great shame. I will always support and follow the Blues,but until football returns to Portman Road, my Saturday afternoons will be better spent.

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runaround added 11:20 - Jan 17 My view of the penalty incident at the time was blocked by defenders but having seen it online & TV since, how the ref cannot give a penalty is beyond me! The correct decision then would have given the chance to win an attritional match. On such small things big changes can happen. My initial anger at our poor performance has subsided as after all it takes 2 teams to make a match & teams coming to Portman Road are not going to just stand back & let us play nice football. Many teams now play not to lose & to stop the opposition. It's awful to watch but a fact of life in this league. All we can do is ride it out, battle, picking up as many points as we can, then hopefully start to play football as we did against Leeds. We are capable but need the space. Preston had a game plan & didn't give us space. Scoring first is so important as it shapes the rest of the match. We go again

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markwill45 added 11:47 - Jan 17 What people have got to remember is the position financially Town are in. We haven't got an owner who can plough millions into transfer funds and to cover wages. With the money spent and the position we are in the championship, I must say I think we are doing incredibly well. Mick McCarthy tries to adapt our play to our strengths, not always pretty, but effective. A creative midfielder would be great but how much again would this cost. I would love a mega million owner to step in but I accept what we have. Come on Ipswich keep battling and fighting for every point, and the fans should be there to positively support you. We are stronger than last year COYB keep going.

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dirtydingusmagee added 12:00 - Jan 17 very disapointing,once again the team slip up,lack of consistancy and lack of creativity,has long been the teams problem ,and it is always going to prove to be the reason we fail to achieve.One step forward two steps back.Other results have punished us again and we have to try and claw it all back once more.
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greenkingtone added 12:13 - Jan 17 The referee: He kept his cards in his pocket and was not a fusspot. That said, he allowed blatant fouls with arms raised during jumps for high balls and he abdicated punishing serious infringements that required a the appropriate card. i would love to see the markings of the assessor for many of the officials seen this season. Overall he was poor in a game which was destined to be full of pushing and shoving. At the start a referee has to decide what fouls he is not going to punish. He may decide that if he acts on everything the whistle will be sounding so often it will result in the referee being accused of ruining the match or behaving like a "Little `Hitler." It is a difficult job and much to his credit, MM never criticises the officials and accepts the referee is a fact of life. I have to say after the match, I left the ground thinking "yet another one one draw, and I got freezing cold in the bargain."

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BigHibbs added 13:48 - Jan 17 I don't get carried away when we win lose or draw , we stopped pne on a winning run, continued our unbeaten run and were average today. Not good not bad but average ! Only thing for me personally is hyam for Douglas
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karls_dad added 15:02 - Jan 17 PJH, i,m a realist, like many others on here we accept the fact that we are simply not good enough, we are inconsistent in our performances, we may win some tough games, yet games that we should by every thing that is holy and blue we throw away, Portman rd used to be called a fortress, teams came to us knowing full well that they had a real task on their hands to come away with anything, just look at what we have thrown away at home this season, yes its the home form that is letting us down badly, and yes i think we have blown it now, we should not be trying to play catch up, we may just scrape into sixth spot like last year, if we do everyone will be chuffed, but to think we are good enough to actually win the play offs? well thats dream land, we have a shoe string squad, yes at times they play their hearts out, but inconsitancy is not the key, everytime we get a starlet we it sell him, is knudson better than Mings or Cressie, nope never will be! but he does a job, sometimes badly, and he was cheap! says it all really!

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senduntd added 15:30 - Jan 17 Nice to know that its not just the Championship that gets rubbish referees,witness the dreadfull decision in the Chelsea Everton game.
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Orraman added 16:08 - Jan 17 Changing manager now would serve no useful purpose but at the end of the season a decision has to be made on MM. If we do manage to secure promotion by whatever means it is clearly obvious that MM will never progress in the Premier League so why wait until 10 games in and we are rooted to the bottom before we change (not done Aston Villa much good). If we stay in Championship he will just preside over a fourth season of total dross hoofball, so in my opinion whatever happens in May it's time to say "Thank you and goodbye"

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Seasider added 16:12 - Jan 17 I was full of praise for Tuesdays performance but how can anybody do the same to this game? Mick didn't seem too perturbed at the defensive mistakes that led to PNE's goal scored by the impressive Johnson,who I wouldn't mind seeing in an Ipswich shirt;but would hope that he noted that Berra had more time to clear the ball,and Gerken was rooted to his line;not for the first time in his career either. I do think that Mick should make the occasional change if a player doesn't play well,as at the moment the current players are nailed on to start regardless of performance. Our midfield was innefective today because we lack a playmaker and suffered when Mick moved Bru out wide. I question whether Douglas at 35 is capable of playing two games in a week.I also feel that if Mick is serious about automatic promotion he should instill on Marcus Evans the need to strengthen in the midfield area;and allow him to spend about a million or so before the window closes.Otherwise I think we should question the desire at the club to reach the ultimate destination.

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LondonBlue73 added 16:20 - Jan 17 Not the best result or performance, freezing cold weather and trains up the creek so didn't get home till 9PM. Would I change my love for ITFC - of course I wouldn't because I support my team through good and bad. Bring on Pompey on Tuesday and Birmingham next week, lets continue our away form and get through to Round 4 and the play offs. The football is not the our football of years gone by but it is a club and team that we can start to be proud of unlike more recent times and that is why I won't turn however frustrating it becomes.

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gippeswyk added 16:43 - Jan 17 Can't believe some of the criticism of MM and calls for him to be sacked. I agree it was a poor game but Preston are no mugs and beat Hull recently. Look at the bigger picture - we've picked up 20 points from our last 10 games, only losing twice - to Boro and Derby. That's promotion form and without McG and Bishop. Too many too quick to get the knife out when there is much to be proud of.

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