David McGoldrick’s 34th minute penalty saw Town to a final-day 1-0 away win at Derby County. The striker slotted home from the spot after Teddy Bishop had been upended by Richard Keogh.

Boss Mick McCarthy made three changes to the side which beat the MK Dons last week with midfielder Adam McDonnell handed his league debut, skipper Luke Chambers returning at right-back and Bartosz Bialkowski back in goal. Kevin Bru and Josh Emmanuel dropped out of the squad, while Dean Gerken moved to the bench.

Irish U18 international McDonnell lined up alongside Cole Skuse in one of the two deeper midfield roles with Bishop starting his second game of the season ahead of them.

Myles Kenlock was again at left-back with Jonas Knudsen still out with a knee injury. McGoldrick started as the central striker with Liam Feeney and Freddie Sears to the right and left respectively.

Derby, who had already confirmed their place in the play-offs, named an unchanged team.

The Rams threatened for the first time within the opening minute, Craig Bryson getting away from Kenlock on the right of the area before hitting a shot which Bialkowski saved. Christophe Berra cleared the loose ball.

McGoldrick struck Town’s first shot against a defender in the fifth minute with the Rams having had the better of the opening minutes. On seven, Thomas Ince shot over from distance.

A minute later, McGoldrick poked a ball through to Sears on the left of the area and the striker hit a shot which Derby keeper Scott Carson palmed past his post.

George Thorne headed wide from a corner on 18 then, following a Blues freekick won when Will Hughes fouled Bishop, McGoldrick hit a powerful volley from just outside the area which caught a defender on its way wide.

Town weren’t far away from going in front in the 28th minute when McGoldrick fed Feeney wide on the right and the on-loan Bolton man sent over a low cross, which Carson mishandled to Bishop, who tried to stab towards goal but Shackell was able to block.

Just after the half hour skipper Chambers was booked for arguing with the referee about the positioning of a Derby freekick, which Chris Martin eventually sent the wrong side of the post.

But, despite the Rams having had opportunities, the Blues had looked more threatening the longer the half had gone on and in the 34th minute they went in front from the penalty spot.

Bishop skipped into the area on the left and Keogh sent the midfielder flying with a wild challenge.

Referee Tim Robinson after some deliberation eventually pointed to the spot and was perhaps somewhat lenient in not showing Keogh, a one-time Town academy schoolboy and ballboy, a card of either colour with a red certainly not having been out of the question.

Ex-Nottingham Forest man McGoldrick stepped up and stroked his fifth goal of the season to Carson’s left to give the Blues the lead.

As Derby went about getting on terms McDonnell was booked for a late tackle on Thorne, although it was somewhat less of a foul than an earlier challenge the former Peterborough loanee had made on Bishop which had gone unpunished. Ince took the freekick, but Bialkowski was able to punch away to his left.

Russell shot over, then the Scotland international claimed a penalty when tackled by Kenlock but the Town youngster looked to have won the ball.

Keogh picked up card he really ought to have been shown earlier in the final scheduled minute of the half when he was booked for a foul on McGoldrick as his Republic of Ireland team-mate broke away from him midway inside the Derby half.

Moments before the whistle, a loose ball fell to Martin following a Rams freekick but as Skuse closed him down, the former Norwich striker blazed over.

Having weathered some early pressure from the home side, the Blues had got a foothold in the game, playing some decent stuff at times and were creating as many opportunities as the Rams by the time McGoldrick netted his penalty.

Bishop had made the type of break from midfield that the Blues have missed so much this season, although Keogh’s challenge was rash at best.

Debutant McDonnell hadn’t looked overawed, having made one or two solid tackles early on and passing neatly for the most part.

Ahead of the second half, the Blues switched Skuse for Luke Hyam, while Keogh - probably wisely ahead of the Rams’ play-off semi-final with Hull City - was swapped for Jake Buxton.

The Rams were first to seriously threaten after the restart. On 52 Martin teed-up Bryson on the edge of the box and the midfielder hit a shot which Bialkowski saved down to his right.

Soon after the resultant corner, the ball whipped in from the right and Martin flicked a header inches wide of the far post. Three minutes later, Jonathan Douglas replaced McDonnell.

The Blues were largely happy to sit back on their lead and look to catch Derby on the break, while the Rams struggled to find away through a Town backline now augmented by the additions of Hyam and Douglas.

But on 63 Martin played Russell in on goal on the left of the area but the winger shot over from a tight angle.

Three minutes later, ex-Canary Martin was yellow-carded for shoving Hyam off the ball, then on 68 the Rams striker was switched for ex-Blues frontman Darren Bent. A minute later, Bishop was replaced by Brett Pitman.

In the 71st minute Kenlock won two tackles midway inside the Town half on the left before bringing the ball forward and finding McGoldrick, who cut in from the flank and hit a shot which Carson spilled before claiming at the second attempt.

With 15 minutes left on the clock Bent sent in a dangerous ball from the right but too far in front of Bryson, then on 76 Ince shot well over from distance. Soon after, the Rams switched Hughes for Nick Blackman.

As the game moved into its final 10 minutes Derby’s Thorne required lengthy treatment for what looked a serious injury.

Players from both sides immediately screamed for medical staff to come on to the pitch, the 23-year-old appearing to have suffered a broken leg as he caught Douglas’s leg as the Town midfielder challenged as he looked to shoot.

Thorne was applauded off on a stretcher by both sets of fans and Derby ended the game with 10 men. Soon after the game restarted, the fourth official indicated eight additional minutes due the late stoppage.

Chances were rare during injury time, McGoldrick hitting a deflected effort through to Carson moments before the final whistle.

Having established their lead in the first half, the Blues allowed Derby to take the game to them after the break but were rarely in any serious trouble in the second half with the Rams’ best opportunities Bryson’s shot which Bialkowski saved, Martin’s header wide and Russell’s effort over.

The Blues occasionally threatened on the break but Carson was only really tested by McGoldrick’s strike 19 minutes from the end.

Kenlock, who had created that opportunity, put in another impressive display after a tough start, while McDonnell will be pleased with his debut.

McGoldrick continued his gradual progress towards full match fitness with another performance which promises much for next season, and perhaps for Ireland at the Euros.

Overall, a positive end to what was ultimately a disappointing season overall, a result which saw the Blues move up to seventh ahead of Cardiff, five points short of the August target of reaching the play-offs.

Derby County: Carson, Christie, Keogh (c) (Buxton 46), Shackell, Olsson, Thorne, Bryson, Hughes (Blackman 76), Ince, Russell, Martin (Bent 68). Unused: Mitchell, Hendrick, Bent, Butterfield, Weimann.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Kenlock, Skuse (Hyam 46), McDonnell (Douglas 55), Bishop (Pitman 69), Feeney, Sears, McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, Digby, Foley, Varney. Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex). Att: 29,854 (Town: 1,036).

Photo: Action Images

alztar added 14:56 - May 7 That's alright then
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sirmichealmills added 14:58 - May 7 Everything is brilliant now
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essex57 added 15:06 - May 7 Great result to sign the season off so much hope in august fate went against us full support to MM and TC for next season. COYB
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jas0999 added 15:08 - May 7 It's nice to win our final two matches, but it's disappointing there was nothing to play for. Derby, after Hull quickly took command in their game - also had nothing to play for. This was little more than a friendly game, although any win is pleasing. I just hope this does nothing to convince Evans not to spend in the summer - significant investment is very much required. Most of this seasons signings will not be here next season, which demonstrates how poor these cheap 'buys' were. Bottom line is we have failed to progress from last season. Seventh considering the lack of spending isn't terrible nor is it good. I fear much is to do with the poor end of season a lot of clubs had. I still feel with investment in January we could have pressed on and finished higher, but as with the season, we (Evans) decided to take a backwards step and remarkably reduce the squad by two! The standard of football and entertainment has been poor, and last two meaningless games aside, we have failed to deliver when it mattered. Good result today, but bitterly disappointing season in terms of progression, investment, ambition and standard of football. Much to do this summer.

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directorsbox added 15:12 - May 7 Despite losing to them at Portman Road, winning this game at Derby means that there is only one club- Hull City - which has taken all six points off Ipswich this season. Whereas in contrast neither MK Dons nor Leeds took a single point from either of their games against us. Every other team took at least one point off us. And we managed to end the season two goals to the good, despite having scored just 53 goals in 46 matches. Explains why it has to be a goalkeeper walking off with all the players-of-the-season awards, doesn't it?

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muccletonjoe added 15:19 - May 7 Perhaps a little taste of what is to come next season? . I hope so
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essex57 added 15:20 - May 7 Directors box it's a team game yes it was disappointing but hey Ho let's look forward to next season.
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planetblue_2011 added 15:31 - May 7 Great end to the season just a shame we couldn't quite make playoffs. Keep McGoldrick, Bishop fit sign a very decent left mid & centre mid, maybe a right back or give Emanuel a go. Surely Kenlock is worth a shout next season at left back. Chambers at centre half, bring in Feeney plus we have the youngsters McDonell, Dozzell, Clarke & Digby could all be in the picture for next season. Staying hopeful for next season😁👍

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IpswichT62OldBoy added 15:37 - May 7 We we're very unlucky with long term injuries. I hope the return of Bishop and McGoldrick and the younger players like Kenlock, Dozzell will mean a more attractive style of play, if not then i will be unhappy, with Mmc
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hairbear added 15:39 - May 7 Good result today. Goal scoring the biggest issue this season. We would have comfortably been in the playoffs if not for key injuries.
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TimmyH added 16:09 - May 7 Good win today but lets be honest would we have won if we needed to get into the play-offs? probably not as this game was by and large meaningless. Agree what jas0999 has said although a season far from a disaster but can we say we've progressed, the answer to that is no. Hope Evans decide to open his wallet to a degree in the summer as we do need some quality in areas and just hope he doesn't think the final 2 wins and the return of dids and Bishopand all is rosey again both who are injury prone players.

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Knightsy added 16:25 - May 7 Good to Finish on a High. The emergence of the youngsters coming through over the past month, Bishop and McGoldrick also back has been great. The Squad wasn't just good enough, neither was the manager or owner. Papering over the Cracks over the last 2 games, I hope you prove me wrong next May 2017. Have a Great Summer....Twtd Posters
5

iaintaylorx added 16:27 - May 7 STILL WANT MCCARTHY OUT!!
3

hairbear added 16:36 - May 7 MCCARTHY IN!!
3

senduntd added 16:55 - May 7 Hear Hear hairbear
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runaround added 17:26 - May 7 An excellent result & great way to finish the season. Finishing 7th is frustrating as, despite the football being awful at times, especially at home, we really were not far off from the top 6 again. Our away form has been excellent this season, just our home record has been poor with a distinct lack of entertainment at times. Can't help thinking what might have been had only we been a bit more attacking at home especially in some of the games post Leeds. Of course missing Fraser, Bishop & McGoldrick made it hard but I can't help feeling that we became too obsessed with stopping the opposition rather than trying to impose ourselves onto them. Pragmatism or Negativity? Nothing we can do about it now! Roll on August when hopefully we will go for it a bit more at home

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Seasider added 17:26 - May 7 Well feel I must give credit where it is due for finishing 7th,which lets face it is a very respectable position,considering how little has been spent to bring players into club. I hope Kevin Bru was not available;as if he was should have been on the bench,likewise Emmanuel who of course only played last week as Chambers was injured. Both these young fullbacks to me look better already than the current incumbents,and they have hardly played unlike Chambers and Knudsen. The return of Bishop and McGoldrick has definitely made a difference offensively,with the footy more pleasant on the eye,and by the way Mick was talking before game they will be fixtures next season if fit;so hopefully there will be less hoof to endure. I do wonder whether we shall see the same regulars/favorites starting next season as most of them are over 30; and there must come a time when they are too old/slow to be able to play 50 matches a season,which I think is evident already in one or two cases. Hopefully we shall see a couple of new faces brought in, and together with the emerging youngsters, a team will be forged to finish slightly higher than that achieved tonight.

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itfchorry added 18:09 - May 7 Here's hoping for a couple of European pre-season games. Was fantastic in Dussledoff -
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ArnieM added 18:13 - May 7 considering we have gone virtually the whole season without our creative / attacking players, I'd say out shoestring squad has done very well to finish 7th. EVER team above us has spent substantially more than ITFC. So all this crap about not progressing or going backwards, it just that.....crap!
1

jcITFC added 18:30 - May 7 That's what you get when you play a quality centre attacking midfielder with ONE centre defensive midfielder!
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judespiveyg added 18:33 - May 7 Good win to end the season, and nice to see that Mcgoldrick is back scoring goals. On a side note, does anybody know when this season's survey comes out
1

ianmarshall10 added 19:02 - May 7 I don't write much on here because of all the bhatches that moan about M.M at the end of day we have had some injuries for some major players and we still came 7th with a bang average team. I do admit tho we didn't get the recruitment right last summer but I still believe Mick is the right man for the job. Also the brand of football we play is not good but it is affective we do get results. Today's result was brilliant but frustrating at the same time because some of our home matches against teams lower in the league we should be winning. How ever great win today and well done for a difficult but decent season with the right buys in the summer and Mick as manager we will do well next season...C.O.Y.B!

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Penguinblue added 19:04 - May 7 In answer to a couple of posters above, yes, 100% ,McCarthy out. He is the anti-football manager - that;s for those who regards my comments as being 'anti-fan'. Surely no one wants to sit through the tiresome hoofball any more.
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Bluetone added 19:18 - May 7 Quoting Penguinblue "Surely no one wants to sit through the tiresome hoofball any more." I think you'll find that bloke Essex57 would be happy to providing its The dinosauer in charge.
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Murphys_Law added 19:18 - May 7 Penguinblue only my 2nd post but please change the record it's wearing awfully thin now! Perhaps it's now time to be positive and look forward to next season with some optimism? We all want some creativity but with the injuries and budget constraints 7th is decent performance. COYB 2016/2017
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