David McGoldrick netted a brilliant low drive deep in injury time to grab Town a last-gasp 2-2 draw against bottom club Rotherham United at Portman Road. Freddie Sears had put the Blues in front in the third minute but man of the match Danny Ward equalised four minutes later, then put the visitors in front three minutes after the break. Town rarely looked like getting back on terms in a lacklustre second half until McGoldrick’s late strike.

McGoldrick, Teddy Bishop, Cole Skuse and Myles Kenlock all returned to what was an unusually attacking Town starting line-up.

McGoldrick, who was making his first start since the opening day of the season, formed a a front two with Sears, while Bishop came back into the middle of midfield with Skuse, who was back after missing out at Newcastle with a toe injury.

Kenlock was handed his first appearance of the season at left-back in place of Jonas Knudsen, who suffered a back injury at Newcastle.

Conor Grant dropped to the bench, alongside ex-Millers striker Leon Best, and there was no place in the 18 for Jonathan Douglas.

Rotherham included former Town keeper Lewis Price among their subs, along with their new signing, veteran Nigerian international striker Peter Odemwingie.

The Blues started brightly with Sears and Tom Lawrence, playing wide on the left, both having early crosses blocked.

And in only the third minute Town went in front. Lawrence appeared to rather scuff his freekick in from the right but Sears reacted quickly to the miscue and turned the ball past Millers’ keeper Lee Camp at the near post to claim his second goal in three games following his long goal drought.

But the Blues’ lead lasted only four minutes. Centre-half Adam Webster cleared Joe Newell’s corner from the right to 18-yard line, Jon Taylor beat Bishop in the air and headed it back into edge of the six-yard box, and Danny Ward turned home his seventh goal of the season from close range.

On 10 Town keeper Bialkowski came off his line quickly to punch away from Dexter Blackstock as the former Forest striker chased a header from halfway down the middle. Blackstock required treatment having collided with Bialkowski but was eventually OK to carry on.

Blues strike pair Sears and McGoldrick combined to create an opportunity on 21, the former West Ham man eventually cutting the ball back from the right but behind the Irish international. Kenlock ran in from deep on the left and smashed a shot against a defender.

Town were starting to get on top and for a spell the visitors found themselves pinned back in their half following a corner on the left won by Lawrence, with the Blues passing the ball around with what has recently been uncharacteristic confidence.

However, it was Rotherham who created the next serious chance, a loose ball falling to scorer Ward in the box and Webster doing well to block his shot.

McGoldrick threatened for the first time on 26, the striker heading over from Lawrence’s freekick on the right with the on-loan Leicester man starting to find his range with his set pieces.

On 32 Will Vaulks shot wide off a Town defender after a long throw from the right had been cleared to the edge of the box.

A minute later, Bishop, who had had a quiet half up to that point, skipped his way past a number of Rotherham players and rode a couple of tackles as he broke into the area from the left but scraped his shot wide.

In the 35th minute the visitors were forced to swap ex-Colchester man Greg Halford, who had picked up a knock, for Dominic Ball.

Kenlock, who was enjoying an impressive first half, wasn’t too far away from putting the Blues back in front on 36 when he forced Camp to scramble away his far post header from Grant Ward’s looping cross from the right.

McGoldrick and Sears interchanged again in the 38th minute on the Town left, the latter eventually cutting the ball into the area but a defender cleared before it reached his strike partner.

In injury time Berra was caught in the head by a Rotherham boot following a Town corner but referee Darren Bond waved away the Blues’ penalty appeals. The loose ball fell to Webster but his snapshot flew out for a throw on the far side.

The final whistle was greeted by scattered applause from the home support, who will have been pleased with an enterprising first-half display from their side.

Having claimed the early lead Town will have been disappointed to concede the equaliser almost immediately with set pieces Rotherham’s main threat throughout the period.

The Blues had kept the ball better than has often been the case recently and passed it around confidently in spells with Sears and McGoldrick combining well on a number of occasions.

However, aside from Kenlock’s header, Millers keeper Camp hadn’t been forced into making many saves with the visitors’ backline defending with greater solidity than has often been the case this season.

The second half got off to the worst possible start for Town with Rotherham taking the lead in only the 48th minute.

Webster and Berra got in one another’s way as Vaulks’s long throw came into the area from the right and Danny Ward turned a volley past Bialkowski, the striker’s eighth goal of the campaign.

A minute later, as Town looked to get back in the match, Grant Ward volleyed over from not far outside the area after a Lawrence corner had been cleared.

There was another scare for the Blues from a Rotherham long throw, this time from the left, in the 56th minute when Vaulks’s ball into the area avoided everyone until it reached Richard Wood beyond the far post but the Millers’ skipper shot wide.

At the other end, Grant Ward went well wide after Lawrence had brought the ball deep into the Rotherham half.

The goal had given the visitors confidence, however, and they were having most of the ball, while Vaulks’s long throws continued to cause problems.

McGoldrick rode a couple of tackles and shot over on 63 with the Blues still to really get going after the break.

Two minutes later, Ward crossed from the Town right, McGoldrick flicked on but Lawrence’s header was easy for Camp to claim.

Moments later, Town made two changes, Ward and Bishop making way for Leon Best and Jonny Williams with Sears moving to wide left and Lawrence to the right.

On 71 Williams crossed from the left towards Best but the ball was headed clear to McGoldrick, but the striker curled his shot well over.

With the Sir Bobby Robson Stand vocally complaining about Town’s style of football in no uncertain terms - “Mick McCarthy, your football is s–t” - Luke Varney took over from Kenlock, who will have been very happy with his display.

Rotherham looked to be seeing out four minutes of injury time until McGoldrick’s dramatic equaliser.

Webster crossed from the left, a defender headed the ball out to McGoldrick, who smashed a low drive through a crowd of players and past his old Forest team-mate Camp. The Rotherham players, who thought they had claimed their first away win of the season, collapsed to the floor.

There wasn’t time for any further action before referee Bond ended the game. Despite the late goal there were still boos on the final whistle and further frustrated chants aimed at manager McCarthy.

The Blues failed to capitalise on their early lead, giving away the first of two set-piece goals soon afterwards, and while they were on top and played well in spells in the first half, they created few chances.

Town struggled to get going in the second half after conceding Rotherham’s second goal so early on. They huffed and puffed but never created a clear-cut opportunity until McGoldrick - who looked out on his feet by that stage - hammered home his goal.

Despite the late equaliser, a home draw with the division’s bottom side - Rotherham had lost their last seven games, had lost all seven of their away games and were eight points from safety - is huge disappointment for Town and added to fans’ frustrations with manager McCarthy, as was evident from the chants from the terraces.

The point moves the Blues up to 15th in the table with a trip to Sheffield Wednesday, who lost 2-0 at Derby today, next week.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Webster, Berra, Kenlock (Varney 84), Skuse, Lawrence, Bishop (Williams 66), G Ward (Best 66), Sears, McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, Emmanuel, Bru, Grant.

Rotherham: Camp, Fisher (Odemwingie 80), Fry, Wood (c), Mattock, Taylor, Halford (Ball 35), Vaulks, Newell, D Ward, Blackstock. Unused: Price, Kelly, Forde, Forster-Caskey, Brown. Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire). Attendance: 15,247 (Rotherham: 205).

Photo: TWTD

Kesgraveblue57 added 18:26 - Oct 29 I want McCarthy to go but face facts he won't leave and Mr Evans who owns Ipswich town football club won't sack him sorry but nothing can be done
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Alxn629 added 18:27 - Oct 29 Spot on Michael 11. Woeful football & is hard to watch, let alone justify. Sorry Mick, time to leave.
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therein61 added 18:33 - Oct 29 Algarvefan the players are in the building it's getting them on the pitch where we have a problem if Mick stays loyal to players going through the motions and are not worthy of putting a Town shirt on their backs then the future is bleak and is one that needs sorting a.s.a.p
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potter84 added 18:33 - Oct 29 I can only think of one out of work manager who I'd fancy taking a punt on, some may disagree but as we have so much youth in depth and a few good players who I think would excel under his management, possibly a reunion with kluge. Tim sherwood or Gus poyet
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alpblue added 18:34 - Oct 29 I'm officially done as much as it hurts I will not attend or spend anymore money at itfc until mick goes, even my boy is bored of watching this dull football and on many occasions asked to go west ham with his uncle running out of excuses why he shouldn't. Come on town do the right thing change doesn't have to be a bad thing!!
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potter84 added 18:35 - Oct 29 Make that two^
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Cakeman added 18:36 - Oct 29 Incompetentence is running through the club and this sad performance was just that......sad!
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pup12 added 18:39 - Oct 29 Hmmm what to say ,what to??most of what's been said I agree with.I went today as ima season ticket holder and I go with my dad for some quality time.But I'm not seeing any quality on the pitch!Mm picked what I assume is ment to be an attack mined side.We should have won and won comfortably.Rotherham bottom and lost 7 on he bounce.This must be down to MM tactics,what do the pratratice all week !??We are way to slow in the finale third,players seem lost for ideas.Mcgoldrich lots of nice play around box at times but nobody in the 18 yard box so what's the point.Kenlock must have been reprimanded at half time as he never crossed half way line second half and was then taken off.Last minute save MM I'm afraid.COYB please !

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NoelTheDub added 18:42 - Oct 29 Good team is Rotherham wait for this dribble you 15,000 supporters that look for to much.Great to see Didys today but why drop Best we all know we are not the best squad in this league but the way you have us playing is disgusting at best.You had your chance today to win back some support and failed more seat empty next home game other managers have been fired for less do the right thing and go your thinking on football is so outdated and we are going down if you dont...

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warktheline added 18:51 - Oct 29 I think most of us concluded, some well before me, McCarthy wasn't capable of playing attractive football. He fooled me once, but never again! He needs to go now, or yesterday, or 18 months ago!! Five words, you've over stayed your welcome ! Jog on Mick, and take Evans with you please....I'm more than happy to say what will be will be, just bloody well clear off!
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smellmycheese added 18:55 - Oct 29 He's not going and Marcus isn't going to act. Just counting the days now until the 18 months of his contract is up.That's how bad its got. The defeats, the lack of goals, the 0-0 draws , the playing players out of position , the dismissive , stubborn, patronising attitude to the fans ; none of it hurts any more. I just know I will still be at Ipswich long, long after Mick McCarthy has gone and it won't always be this dull and dour and negative. In the meantime I'll enjoy a pint at the game and know that each game is a game closer to Ipswich without Mick. To all of you that made your feelings known today I applaud every single one of you. Ipswich and Mick McCarthy was never and will never be a good pairing.

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carsey added 18:57 - Oct 29 Bit of a side issue I know but I would like to know the actual attendance figures. I realise all clubs automatically include season tickets in the number for tax purposes but they also know the real number of punters who pass through the turnstiles. No way was there 15000 in the ground today. As far as the football was concerned I agree with most of the above. Even if McCarthy had more cash the product would be the same. That is his style and no one will change it. We have good footballers at this club who given the right coaching and self belief would be challenging towards the top of the division. I've said many times the McCarthy way is not the right way to play football. Yes he got us out of a mess 4 years ago but he is now taking us straight back into it.

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grubbyoik added 18:58 - Oct 29 So that was the style of football that was to suppress Rotherham and then to impose our style of football on them to win the game... Mcarthy is clueless.. He is no tactition.. His team is NOT playing for him.. As they do not know what he is trying to do.. Rotherham and Danny Ward had one plan.. Mcarthy had 11 players who didn't have a plan a A, B or C.. If I got a pay slip for that management I would be embarrassed..

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grubbyoik added 19:01 - Oct 29 Drab.. Clueless.. Drivel.. Not the players.. His MANAGEMENT..
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grubbyoik added 19:03 - Oct 29 What he thinks is good football is NOT what I think is good football.. By any streeeeetch
2

Pencilpete added 19:05 - Oct 29 I laugh at some of the comments on here, i really do - so for weeks everyone moans at our 'negative' style of play, today you got your wish and we set up to be much more attacking. You also moaned that Sears needs to go up front, you got your wish on that too. Finally you wanted Douglas left out and a more attack minded partner for Skuse in the middle and you got that as well. So all you geniuses ..... what now ? Are you all going to admit to being as 'clueless' as Mick ? of course not you're all experts arn't you ?, so i'm sure you'll just do the usual, click the minus button like a robot and carry on b1tching. The only thing more boring than Micks style of play is the whinging on here and the only thing more negative is your attitudes. Nearly every post i have read moans that 'we want our club back' and' i'm fed up of the negativity' well, wake up call people WE are a part of this club and you lot are part of the problem, i challenge anyone of you lot to do whatever job it is you do to the best of your ability while someone constantly critisises and moans about everything you do while you're trying to do it. You're absoloutely pathetic, every single one of you.

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grubbyoik added 19:06 - Oct 29 we are up sh@t creek with a Turd for a paddle..
1

BillBlue added 19:11 - Oct 29 Phil - It was a pleasure to see you factually report what the honest supporters in the SBR Stand were singing today but will it have any effect? The reason I ask this is because while I was waiting for your report to be published I spent some time reading a report published by one of your competitors where they asked the great man if he was aware many of the Town fans were no longer supportive of him (or words to that effect). I think his response was: "A very, very, small minority of fans might be unhappy with him" (or again words to that effect). Now this might have been true three or four years ago but it certainly is not the case today. I am going to suggest you publish a Poll with a straight Stay/Go option and let us and, hopefully, McCarthy see the truth. I am fully aware that I, or any one else for that matter, has the option to do this but it would carry a lot more weight if published by TWTD and let it run for, say, one week to make sure everyone has a chance of getting in.

8

brittaniaman added 19:11 - Oct 29 The trouble is McCarthy believes in his own mind that he is doing a good job, so he will not resign !!! Also he is the longest serving manager now in the championship which he is Proud of ?? Evans will not sack him PROBABLY TO EXPENSIVE !! So guys it looks as though we are unfortunately Stuck with him,, I am afraid to say !! unless of course he goes in to a Mental clinic ??

4

blue75 added 19:12 - Oct 29 Nothing from McCarthy yet!!! Can it be he's about to quit???
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martin587 added 19:13 - Oct 29 Pencilpete,if these pages bore you and you hate us so much for telling the truth,tell us all ...why do you bother to post or even read our views.I rest my case.!!
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smellmycheese added 19:18 - Oct 29 Pencil Pete; if I could down arrow you one hundred times I would.
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kuyski added 19:20 - Oct 29 Be careful what you wish for if MM still here,the result of today and the league table told you everything !
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Brownie added 19:23 - Oct 29 Pencilpete I think the point is having an opinion on ITFC. We all love the club and nobody can be happy with what is happening on the pitch. We all have thoughts re who should play and this is the place to air them. MM is paid a lot of money to get it right and in my view over the last 18 months he hasn't. As you said WE are all part of the club. I have supported MM up until the last few months but his time is up in my view. Not sure what that makes me any more pathetic than someone having the opposite opinion. And after 45 years of going to ITFC I definitely have an opinion on what we are currently seeing & it is not good.

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Blue_Meanie added 19:24 - Oct 29 15,247 attendance..my ar$e. Mate's a steward, they were told in pre match briefing for Burton, attendance will be announced as 15k+, in reality it will be around 11k. This is the spin the club is now having to put on to keep everything looking rosy. This club is in terminal decline under this tw@t.
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