Jonas Knudsen scored an injury time equaliser, the Danish international’s first goal for the Blues, as Town drew 1-1 at home with Fulham, Moussa Dembele having put the visitors ahead in the 66th minute.

Sixteen-year-old Andre Dozzell was handed his full debut, while Cole Skuse and Brett Pitman returned to the Town line-up and Kevin Bru, Kevin Foley and David McGoldrick dropped to the bench.

The Blues started with Dozzell in a central midfield three ahead of Skuse and Jonathan Douglas, with Liam Feeney on the right Freddie Sears on the left of Pitman up front.

Former Town loanees Richard Stearman and Ryan Tunnicliffe started for the Cottagers at right-back and in midfield respectively.

Neither side threatened in the early stages, although the Blues saw most of the ball. On 12 Dozzell fed Feeney to his right and the on-loan Bolton man sent over a cross towards Pitman, who claimed he was fouled but referee Paul Tierney showed no interest.

A minute later, Sears crossed low from the left to Dozzell, but he was unable to find Douglas with his lay-off.

Fulham subsequently broke down the Town left but Ross McCormack’s cross was too deep and Knudsen saw it out of play. On 19 Dembele shot powerfully wide from just outside the Blues area.

Chances continued to be far and few between but on 34 the Cottagers almost went in front. Ex-Blues loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe was played in on goal by Lasse Vigen Christiansen and tried to stab the ball past Bialkowski, who did superbly to get an arm down to his left to divert it wide.

Four minutes later Fulham skipper Scott Parker caught Douglas in possession midway inside the Town half and found Dembele, who took the ball into the area before shooting well over.

Referee Tierney ended what had been a hardly enthralling half after one additional minute.

It had been a 45 minutes typical of an end of season game between two teams with nothing left to play for.

Fulham came closest to scoring when Bialkowski saved from Tunnicliffe, while the Blues had seen a fair amount of the ball but without being able to create any serious opportunities.

Town’s biggest threat had been Feeney crosses from the right but too many of them flew behind.

Full debutant Dozzell, had shown one or two nice touches and had got into the box on a number of occasions as he looked to add to Saturday’s goal at Sheffield Wednesday.

Ten minutes after the restart the 16-year-old was replaced by McGoldrick, while Bru took over from Douglas. Dozzell had shown his talent fleetingly but hadn’t seen enough of the ball to make a huge impression on the game.

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first with penalty area action rare.

Just after the hour Skuse deflected a Dembele shot wide and from the resultant corner on the left Bialkowski brilliantly tipped over a Shaun Hutchinson header which looked bound for the roof of the net.

On 64 Feeney looped a weak header to Marcus Bettinelli, arguably Town’s first attempt on target of the evening, although the Cottagers keeper wasn’t tested.

Two minutes later, Fulham went in front. The visitors counter-attacked down the right and Parker crossed to an unmarked Dembele just inside the box and the 19-year-old Frenchman smashed a shot past Bialkowski.

Bru shot wide on 70, Town’s first serious strike of the game, leading to much sarcastic cheering from the Blues’ support. Two minutes later, Hutchinson headed wide from a McCormack corner.

Bettinelli was finally forced into a save in the 73rd minute when Pitman hit a powerful strike from the edge of the area on the right, the keeper doing well to get across to push it past the post. From the corner, Tommy Smith, making his 250th appearance for the Blues, headed over.

As the game entered its final 10 minutes Town continued to labour without particularly threatening. On 81 Bialkowski hit a clearance against McCormack inside his area but deflected well away from goal.

Parker was booked for a late tackle on Bru, having been fortunate to get away with an earlier foul on Feeney, then on 87 Pitman had the ball in the net but McGoldrick was adjudged to have handled in the build-up.

As the match moved into its final scheduled minute McGoldrick, who along with Bru was starting to make more of an impact on the game, hit a well-struck shot from the right which was going wide but which Bettinelli helped on its way.

And in the aftermath of Bru’s left-sided corner the Blues equalised. Having been cleared, the ball was played back out to McGoldrick on the right. The sub’s clever pass played in Sears on the right of the area and he cut the ball back to Knudsen, who hit a first-time shot into the net off the underside of the bar.

In injury time Christophe Berra headed a Knudsen cross wide at the far post when he should have nodded it back across goal, then Smith was booked for a foul on Dembele. Referee Tierney brought the game to an end moments later.

As with most end-of-season games played between two sides with nothing to play for, the match won’t be one which will be remembered for too long.

Fulham, who still haven't beaten Town since 1963, could have been home and hosed before Knudsen’s late equaliser with Bialkowski again in top form, making impressive saves from Tunnicliffe and Hutchinson in either half.

Having gone ahead the Cottagers will feel they ought to have claimed the three points with the again disappointing Blues rarely able to create anything until McGoldrick and Sears combined to conjure Knudsen’s goal.

Town, who have now gone six games without a win and have won just once in nine, remain eighth ahead of Saturday’s trip to top-of-the-table Middlesbrough.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Douglas (Bru 55), Skuse, Dozzell (McGoldrick 55), Feeney, Sears, Pitman. Unused: Gerken, Hyam, Kenlock, Digby, Foley.

Fulham: Bettinelli, Stearman, Hutchinson, Burn, Ream, Tunnicliffe, Parker (c) (Baird 86), Ince, Christensen (Fredericks 70), McCormack (Cairney 85), Dembele. Unused: Lonergan, Garbutt, Smith, Woodrow. Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire). Att: 16,953 (Fulham: 457).

Photo: Action Images

ivegottheblues added 07:45 - Apr 20 Can't comment on the game because after 40 years of support I can no longer justify a 160 mile round trip to watch the standard of football being produced. However much as it would be great to have a change of manager it's not going to happen while ME is at the helm. He is so happy with the way things are that he extended MM's by 2 years with an option of a further 2 years. His yardstick is £££s & probably feels justified that 16000+ still turn up for every game.

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greenkingtone added 08:11 - Apr 20 The Selkirk: Mick Mills puts football inside knowledge into the commentary. I listen during the match and he and Brenner do a fantastic job, I have done radio commentating and I know how difficult it is to make up verbal description on the hoof, and to identify players. Mick runs rings around the glottal stopped Alex Mathie who is barely comprehensible. Just remember what radio commentaries were like when Radio Orwell did the job. Good night Sir

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Mick_Mills_Tache added 08:16 - Apr 20 Blueboy1981 - was supposed to be an up arrow but tiny arrow to aim for with a big thumb was a bit like watching our performance last night. Not a lot of chance! Budgieplucker - great humoured post. Thanks! :) Those saying that MM is the best man for the job, we're still 8th, blah blah blah. We're only 8th because we started the season strongly and won those 5 away games on the bounce before Christmas. Form since the 1st January - DDWDLLWLLLWWDLWLDDLDD that's Pl-23 W-5 D-8 L-8 Points-22/63 (two of the 23 games were the two FA Cup games that a league 2 side played us off the park both games!) That's nearing bottom three form. In contrast, Charlton have only taken 4 less points that we have and MK Dons only 6 less. Bristol City (4th bottom) have taken 27 points since 01/01/16! Mick have 'saved us from relegation' 3 years ago...but then any manager could've and probably would've saved us from relegation. He may have 'saved us' but unless you pull your heads out of his backside and then open your eyes, you're not going to see that he's taking us back there again. PR has the same feeling around it that it did when Keane and Jewell were here. Sad times. #McCarthyOut #FOMM

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dirtydingusmagee added 08:18 - Apr 20 more sh#t .Mc Carthy using Dozzel as a dustbin lid to shield himself and deflect the barrage of criticism .I REALLY cant take anymore this season and wont be on terraces again whilst he is manager .
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TrueBlue1998 added 08:28 - Apr 20 Looked a completely different team to the one which tried to play football at Sheffield on Saturday, can't help thinking its because of the addition of Skuse really...
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Mick_Mills_Tache added 08:33 - Apr 20 The grinch - see my above post and results against the bottom 6 clubs in recent months and then tell me league position doesn't lie. Points picked up since 01/01/2016 Ipswich - 22/63 Bristol - 27 Charlton - 18 MK Dons - 16 Fulham - 21 Bolton - 10 (been dreadful all season) Rotherham - 27 (worth noting they're on a 10 game unbeaten run too) Forest - 18 Blackburn - 20 That's the bottom 8 clubs all on 48 points and below. We're not far behind!

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brittaniaman added 09:44 - Apr 20 How the hell did Fulham score when we have 7 defenders on the field plus a good goalkeeper???? with all our picked defence minded team, it took 70mins.for our other 3 out field players 70mins. to have a shot on goal !!!! MM. did it again Skuse and Douglas together ?? what he see in Douglas is beyond belief ??? I have said it before MM. should come upstairs to watch the game ,, there was plenty of room for him last night,, and I am sure there will be next season as well ???? if he is here next season..

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heydarylmurphy added 09:47 - Apr 20 MICK OUT!! Bring back RoyKeane!!
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bugledog123 added 09:52 - Apr 20 Great to see Dozzell on the pitch. This would have been a different season with Didz and Bish injuries. COYB!
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Kirbmeister added 09:54 - Apr 20 We'll be a mid to lower league team next season. MM will still be manager, the team will be pretty much the same and, most importantly, if there are any funds any decent players will be attracted to clubs much bigger, richer, and more glamorous than Ipswich. Bolton will be back in the Premiership before Ipswich are.
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Razor added 10:29 - Apr 20 Massive changes needed needed in summer-----ideally manager out and a new owner who actually cares and is prepared to invest in new quality players. I would keep only 3 or 4 of present squad and start again in new set up-----at least it may be a little more exciting and interesting.
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BrettenhamBlue added 10:32 - Apr 20 There will be changes. More players like Coke and Toure in. More players like Smith and Sears out. Right now I see a relegation battle in the making. Simply too little investment for too long.
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BrettenhamBlue added 10:45 - Apr 20 We need to get our usual 5-6M from player sales in the Summer. Let's say for arguments sake we managed to get it from the sale of Bialkowski and Sears. Smith as others have stated is likely to move on or he would have signed already. So our team could look like this Gerken, Chambers, Digby, Berra, Knudsen Feeney, Skuse, Douglas, AN Other (not Pringle, he's got a year left on his contract. Not foley cos he's really popular with fans and that's a big no for Magic Mick so he won't renew his contract).possibly Coke. Karl Henry? Glen Southam? Varney, Murphy That's the Crew of HMS Relegation Battle in the making He won't regularly play Dozzell and Bishop as he thinks they are too young.

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Elizabeth added 10:53 - Apr 20 Top post Tractorboy 1985, nothing more to add really. I cannot understand the mentality of MM on persistently choosing this inept formation . When it doesn't work , fix it. We now need fresh faces at the helm to give us hope for next season !!
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Mick_Mills_Tache added 11:15 - Apr 20 Says it all about MM supporters when you post facts about how many points we've picked up compared to the bottom 8 and one person decides to down arrow it? Why? Because you don't like the fact that it shows you how bad MM is?
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MicksZzzTactics added 12:34 - Apr 20 Dissiboy: Regarding those "missing funds" (very conveniently used over and over by the blind-faith'ed MM supports as the near-perfect De Facto Alibi!!! for why ALL things -- negative - with Mick's Hoof Town outfit are as they are!) I totally agree: Any sort of new dough to shop for would obviously predominantly as in excessively be used by the unwavering fan-disrespecting and entertainment-disrespecting The Dinosaur on players that possibly excel (in HIS extremely archaic football eyes, mind you!) more or less exclusively at playing the "Jurassic Way" only!, as you so elegantly put it elsewhere on TWTD lol!

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MicksZzzTactics added 12:36 - Apr 20 PJewellIsAG**: Totally agree too on the than more likely very very gloomy ACTUAL squad setup for 2016/17 (especially after the expected sales of standouts like Bart, Sears and maybe Smith).. and expected use/misuse of "The Young Ones"! (Ohhh that reminds me I do soooo miss another revisit from MY youth of that hilarious Rick Mayall written BBC sitcom with the same exact name i..e "The Young Ones" from the early 80's : Featuring the 4 uber dysfunctional "Scumbag College" students : Mike, Rick, Vyvyan & Neil. lol)

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Gcon added 12:43 - Apr 20 Clearly a contrary opinion but I actually quite enjoyed the game last night!... I thought there were a few positives - Great to see Dozell, I thought Feeney had a really good first half, Knudson is growing in confidence and is now linking up well with Sears, McGoldrick played well, I thought we passed the ball much better, and more swiftly, and there was far less hoofball. Ok, we never looked much of a threat in the box but in my eyes it wasn't the disaster that many are alluding to.

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Elto added 12:57 - Apr 20 alfromcol Did you stay until the end? Another goal! Exciting times. prebsa Making assumptions, you don't really know what I think. However, I agree that it's time to 'rest' one of our defensive midfielders. I have thought that since August.
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MicksZzzTactics added 13:03 - Apr 20 Mick_Mills_Tache: And which purely objective, repeat objective!, ITFC fan can but "help it " to agree with your latest posts??? :-) Very spot on! And here is ANOTHER real depressing stat for you ... and your "ammo depot" :-), which caught my eye yesterday (although I sort of had "deducted" it myself already) thanks to EADT's esteemed Stuart Watson: Dinosaur Mick's Anti-football "Thou shall NOT take the field trying your best to win" outfit has scored ALL of 5 first half goals in 24 fixtures at PR this season!!!!!!!!!! C'mon man ... now that really speaks volumes imo about the current 'State Of Affairs' at ITFC with Mick's way of football. In the strictest sense you practically don't have to show up for the 1st 45!!!! .... unless you want perhaps to applaud a couple of super saves by Bart , that is! And speaking of Bart, the fact that he has been M-O-M practically every time since his return .... is of course super great for him personally and obviously also a treat to watch as a fan (too often the ONLY ITFC highlight worth mentioning on another otherwise ultra turgid night) ..... but ehhhh seriously now: If your goalie is voted M-O-M 90+% of the time, the one ultimately accountable for the team and team performance i.e. your manager IS no longer and CANNOT be the right manager for the club, any club! Period!!!

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Rimsy added 13:33 - Apr 20 This is all so soul destroying. The Town should never have taken this path of employing MM. His methods are totally at odds at what we as fans expect and believe in. It would have been much better to drop into div1 and get in a young football playing manager. Plenty of other clubs have gone down this route and all are more entertaining to watch. As long as MM is here, it will never change. Where Ipswich were always synonymous with attractive football, now we are ridiculed by all and sundry as hoofers.

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dalinghooblue added 14:20 - Apr 20 Went for a pint in Legends Bar after the game. The lad who poured the beer passed it sideways to another lad who put it down in front of someone else. Said it all.
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alfromcol added 14:50 - Apr 20 Elto Yes I was there. Getting ready to leave with another clean sheet at the Sir Alf end and hey ho up pops Knudson. Decided to make a quick exit then as the odds of a second was greater than winning the Lottery. Knudson's goal doubled the total at the Sir Alf end this year!!!
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pup12 added 19:52 - Apr 20 What a dreadful night at Portman road AGAIN!!my God this is some of the worst "football"?? I've seen played by town.What is our game plan? We aren't hard to break down we do not pass and move.We done not out pace teams ,and the long ball goes F..King to nobody?I like young Dozzel when on thought he had some nice neat touches and very aware of what was happening around him,but he must have stiff neck today.I mean poor lad everything was going up and over him,then surprise a 16 cannot compete in the air with a mid twenty year old who is 8 inches taller.Enjoy the last few games he try's to play football as next season it will be side ways and backwards ,safety first football from him!i honestly believe the coaching is so negative.Look at Feeney run us ragged for Bolton joined us .First game looked a threat 4 weeks later runs down wing stops before penalty area passes backwards! Attaching flair coached out of him.And tactics of setting up to match opposition is wrong just wrong!My word MM is a stubborn sod!we sarcastically cheered Douglas as he went off so MM rules state he will def start Saturday .Big changes needed summertime.Skluse not physically strong enough ,Douglas useless,chambers not right back,smith terrible on wrong foot,Knudsen not good enough I'm afraid.Hurry up and get this season done and dusted.Let us see what business (if any) is done.

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ChrisFelix added 20:34 - Apr 20 Again Chambers caught out of position for Fulhams goal. Douglas always way off the pace. Mcgoldrick showed skill to set up the equaliser
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