Grant Ward’s 72nd minute cross-shot saw the Blues to a 1-1 draw with Birmingham at a fractious Portman Road. Jonathan Grounds gave the visitors the lead three minutes after the break but Ward equalised with a cross which fortuitously flew over Birmingham keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

Brett Pitman, Freddie Sears and Jonathan Douglas all returned to the Blues starting line-up with top scorer Tom Lawrence and midfielder Emyr Huws both missing out.

Toumani Diagouraga dropped to the bench, while Tommy Smith, who only arrived back from New Zealand duty yesterday afternoon, was also left out of the 18.

Town switched to a 4-4-2 diamond with Bartosz Bialkowski in goal, Jordan Spence and Jonas Knudsen the full-backs and skipper Luke Chambers and Christophe Berra the central defenders

In midfield Cole Skuse sat deep with Douglas and Ward ahead of him in narrow roles to the left and right respectively, with David McGoldrick behind strikers Sears and Pitman.

Birmingham were the first to threaten in the seventh minute, Lukas Jutkiewicz playing a ball through to the breaking David Davis but Bialkowski came off his line quickly to claim.

The Blues were unable to create an opening in a scruffy early spell with the visitors having most of the ball. In the 14th minute Craig Gardner sent over a freekick from the left which grazed Berra’s head before Bialkowski caught on his line.

Town threatened for the first time in the 16th minute when, after good work from Douglas, Sears and Knudsen, a bouncing ball dropped to McGoldrick in the area but his shot was too close to Kuszczak.

The Blues were starting to get on top and two minutes later Sears found space at a tight angle on the left but his shot was blocked by Ryan Shotton.

Town briefly began to put the Midlanders under pressure and on 22 Spence cut in from the right but scuffed his shot wide.

There was a scare for the visitors in the 32nd minute when McGoldrick caught Krystian Bielik in possession on the Town left but his low cross was too close to Kuszczak, who claimed at a stretch.

A minute later Jutkiewicz sent a dangerous ball across the Blues box from the right but Davis arrived too late to add a final touch.

The Blues went closer to opening the scoring moments later, a loose ball falling to Sears on the right of the box after McGoldrick had fed Knudsen on the right. The former Colchester man’s shot rippled the net having struck a defender but having gone the wrong side of the post.

Town continued to take the game to the visitors and on 38 Sears crossed from the right and Knudsen’s flicked header very obviously caught Maikel Kieftenbeld’s hand, however from so close a penalty award would have been harsh.

On 41 Jutkiewicz looped a header over at the far post, then just before half-time Skuse was forced off having undergone treatment on the field after Davis had arrived late and caught him in the face after the Bristolian had nodded the ball to a team-mate. Kevin Bru took over with Douglas dropping into the holding role.

The rest of a not hugely enthralling half passed without further incident. Birmingham had started the stronger but the Blues had gradually got themselves on top but without being able to create too many opportunities, although McGoldrick and Sears had both gone close to scoring what could prove to be a vital goal in Town’s season.

But four minutes after the restart it was the visitors who went in front. Bialkowski saved Jutkiewicz’s shot from the edge of the area but Grounds reached the rebound first to slam in, however looking to have strayed offside.

However, no flag was raised and the goal led to the first boos of the afternoon from the home support.

The Blues immediately looked to hit back. Sears cut the ball back from the byline on the right but a defender cleared, then soon after Pitman headed wide before McGoldrick nodded straight at Kuszczak.

Birmingham went close to making it 2-0 in the 54th minute when Gardner played in Jutkiewicz but Bialkowski blocked superbly.

Just before the hour, Emilio Nsue took the ball across the area before hitting a shot well over. The Birmingham chances led to terrace abuse aimed in the direction of manager McCarthy, owner Marcus Evans and MD Ian Milne as well as a chant of “We want our Ipswich back”.

With the Blues making little headway in an increasingly poisonous atmosphere, loanee Dominic Samuel was handed his Town debut for Pitman in the 71st minute.

And a minute later the Reading man was involved as the Blues got level in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. Samuel laid the ball wide to Ward, who burst down the right and whipped over a powerfully hit cross which flew over Kuszczak and into the net.

The former Spurs man’s sixth goal for Town may have been his luckiest but it was also his most important.

Having levelled, the momentum was suddenly but all too briefly with the Blues, McGoldrick cutting the ball back from the left however without being able to find a team-mate.

On 79 the Irish international scuffed wide after battling to win a Bru clearance with Town on top but not able to put the visitors under sustained pressure.

As the match moved into its final minutes Birmingham began to look the more threatening side, Donaldson just failing to reach Gardner’s ball in from the right and Bialkowski pawing it out for a corner.

The Pole made his second superb save of the game from Gardner’s flag-kick which was arcing goalwards having been inadvertently flicked goalwards by McGoldrick until he clawed it over.

Town came closest to winning it in injury time after a corner was cleared to Bru, but the Mauritius international screwed his shot well wide.

The final whistle triggered more boos and further chants of “Marcus Evans, you’re killing our club”.

Overall the 1-1 draw was probably a fair reflection of the match. Having been the better side before the break, as so often this season the Blues allowed the opposition to gain the upper hand by going in front soon after the restart, although there looked to be a hint of offside.

From there the Portman Road crowd, which had been rather sullen during the first half, made their feelings known once the Blues went behind, only really getting behind their side again in a spell following Ward’s goal.

Town have now won just one of their last 14 in all competitions but have lost only one in their last 10.

The result sees Town remain 17th but now six points from the bottom three with seven left to play starting with Tuesday’s game against Wigan, who lost 2-1 at Newcastle.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Berra, Knudsen, Skuse (Bru 45), Douglas, Ward, Sears, McGoldrick, Pitman (Samuel 71). Unused: Gerken, Taylor, Rowe, Diagouraga.

Birmingham: Kuszczak, Nsue, Grounds, Robinson (c), Shotton, Kieftenbeld (Gleeson 86), Tesche, Gardner, Jutkiewicz, Davis (Donaldson 83), Bielik. Unused: Legzdins, Adams, Frei, Dacres-Cogley, Keita. Referee: Andy Madley (West Yorkshire). Att: 16,667 (Birmingham: 952).

Photo: TWTD

jas0999 added 00:23 - Apr 2 Blue boy - I agree with virtually everything you say and read your posts with great interest, but Evans certainly isn't blameless.
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Surco72 added 00:48 - Apr 2 Bert ...it is the silent majority that have done nothing throughout history and cost so much . However misguided the abusive approach was at least they are trying to do something to make a change , and make no mistake change is needed and has been for a long time
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Steelmonkey added 09:10 - Apr 2 A lucky goal to save our blushes against an equally poor Birmingham side. Just what does MM think that Douglas brings to the team. For me it starts us a man down with him playing. Not a fan of Skuse but to bring on Bru was a poor decision, he just has not done anything for us this season. I thought the young lad Samuel showed some nice touches but it was hardly a game to blood the boy in. I thought that our game was crying out for a player like Danny Rowe to come on, but we all know what MM thinks about wingers says he needs them but will never play them. PItman and Sears where always going to struggle with the hoofball being back in vogue. Watching the players warm up and the strikes taking shots on goal McGoldrick did not even hit the target once and that form continued through the game. ME if you are not going to back this club in the way it needs then please find a buyer who will.

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martin587 added 09:20 - Apr 2 Even IF we beat Wigan on Tuesday it will only paper over the cracks of a terrible season.The club now needs a Major rethink as to the direction it intends to take. The way this club is being run is a total joke.We never see or hear from the owner.Mr.Milne for me made stupid comments on the radio Saturday lunchtime regarding how good the team looked on paper.It may well do but tell me who's fault is it when the team do not produce the goods week in week out.Poor team selection,dire tactics. The person to blame for the team is the Manager,end of. We hear the CEO saying Mr.Evans puts 5 million into the club each year just to keep it going and still we struggle.Does he run his own business like this,I doubt it very much. Until investment is made in the playing squad and MM is released of his duties forthwith this club of ours will stagnate even further and next season will be be the same as this or worse. What incentive is this for supporters to attend matches or invest in a season ticket. PLEASE Mr.Evans,get a grip of your club now,We the supporters need answers now,not later.

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Bert added 09:26 - Apr 2 As good as Bart is, in yesterday's game he was the one who hoofed it up all the time. Douglas as poor as he is was not the worse player on the field. Too many on here who lack balance to satisfy their own prejudiced views. The club is in turmoil, the games are boring, the manger must go and Evan must invest. Please, no more abusive chants during the game. Take it outside before and after the game and I will join in.

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blueboy1981 added 09:53 - Apr 2 Frustration is at an all time low for sure - but we should all be above abusive and derogatory chants, which will have no effect at all, other than lowering the tone and reputation of our Supporters, and Club. The name IPSWICH TOWN FC is still great - it is the current regime that is, and has, damaged it - any protests should be in an organised and respected manner. After all - we are IPSWICH TOWN FC - let's uphold the name as it should be, and indeed deserves.

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blueboy1981 added 10:07 - Apr 2 jason0999 ....... absolutely agree with you - Evans is ultimately responsible for MM still being the Manager. The point I make is that, I feel the squad of players we have is, and has been all season capable of so much more - tactics, un-explainable substitutions, no Plan B, etc; has seen a demise that need not have been. McCarthy spending would not have made much, if any, difference - he knows no other way to play the game. Hence we have seen flair players completely ruined by his traits, time after time. They are simply not allowed to play any way other than the McCarthy way. Footballers, Managers, etc; all close ranks, and say all sorts of nice things about each other - which invarably and consistantly - masks the REAL truth.

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bobble added 10:36 - Apr 2 there used to be only 2 certainties in life,,death and taxes ,but now a 3rd can be added a boring ipswich 1-1 home draw .....
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cat added 12:58 - Apr 2 I would like to clarify a few points and add a few opinions, regarding the formation, players, manager etc mostly regarding yesterdays game. We were set up as a 4.4.1.1. Skuse was the holding midfield and Dougie slightly in front of him. These 2 were no where near our worst players, albeit not much more than 40 minutes game time by Skuse. It's easy to blame these 2 however, as they have become our scape goats, and rightly so on numerous occasions, but yesterday's slayings were uncalled for IMO. Don't get me wrong here, I would not start either of them if all our current players were fully fit, but yesterday this was clearly not the case. Spence on the other hand is quality, great energy, quick and comfortable on the ball and has good pass awareness. unlike the other 3 woefully poor players in our back 4. Put a ball at Chambers feet and he is a joke, his side kick Berra weren't much better and Knudsen was totally inept, yes I know Chambers is a fans favourite (Q MINUSES) more so probably in the way he looks and his undoubting passion, but his clearly not up to the job!! We desperately need Taylor to start and maintain a level of fitness, as he will bring that bit of composure to the back line specially when we are in possession, instead of simply hoofing it upfield and inviting the opposing back on us. Kenlock and Smithy are also much needed IMO. The buck for what's going wrong on the pitch clearly stops with MM, his completely lost the plot, you can see it in his body language!, the bloke is shot to pieces, despite coming out post match with all guns blazing!! this idiot needs to go whether it's this week or at the end of the season. I simply loath "Mick the manager", there's no question about that, but I do however respect "Mick the bloke" even after his post match "two fingers" interviews. Thankfully, due more so to the other teams below us I do not believe relegation is an issue, certainly not at this moment. If M.E sacks MM and invests a few million in the summer, and for the first time bring in the right manager then he can 'maybe' salvage his reputation, if not then the hostilities will definitely remain. Yes his made mistakes, there's no doubting that, but do all investors in big businesses have an in depth knowledge of them or do they employ the 'RIGHT' people to do the day to day running????, whether it's for tax reasons, a hobby, or because it's simply fashionable, do we really know.

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chevvymalc added 16:37 - Apr 2 Can anyone throw a light on the Emmanuel situation I hear he had a face-off with M.M. at Cardiff and has sort of disappeared ????
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jas0999 added 17:26 - Apr 2 Blue boy - can't disagree with any of that! The question though is whether Evans can be trusted to appoint a decent replacement IF. Mick leaves in the Summer. A big IF. At any other club the owner would have acted months ago.
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Seasider added 17:28 - Apr 2 Thought my mate was having an April fools joke when he told me that Douglas was in the team! Think McCarthy was' cocking a snook' at supporters once again by including a player who is leaving at the end of the season. No intention of playing any of the players who have come through from the academy if he can help it,using the excuse that you need old heads in the pressure situation of relegation.Players like Emmanuel and Kenlock,who only the other day he said were now ok for first team football. Think it was Milne on 'Lifes a Pitch'who said that we have a good squad on paper.Well as that former great goalscorer 'Greavesie' used to say that the game is played on grass 'Saint'. Yes and what a poor job Ipswich are doing at it.The game was once more abysmal.McCarthy as usual said we will take a point and move on.He seemed only concerned about the goal his team gave away,hardly ever mentions other aspects of play.What about lack of positive movement through midfield,and not being able to hit a barn door with a banjo;this forward play being down to his acolyte TC,who on this showing must be as useless as a chocolate tea pot. Wards goal,which he said was a fluke,as it was a cross;also said that the Dino was happy with the display. Well we the paying customers were not.Evans has been a complete disaster with his choice of personnel of Keane,Clegg,Jewell.Milne and McCarthy,and is ruining this club. He could help the situation by getting rid of this arrogant,self opinionated,bloody minded Yorkshireman in the short term;but in the longer term we need an owner/owners who has an affinity with this once great football club of Ipswich Town,as we had in the past before this invisible man took over.

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blueboy1981 added 17:40 - Apr 2 Seasider ........ I think since Terry Connor won his one ? .. game in charge - he has been forbidden to utter a single word.
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rubbleblue added 20:02 - Apr 2 I grew up in Clacton and fell in love with a little club punching above its size. And followed them through the great and not so great times. But this period is killing the very fabric of our club. We have a manager who says he tells it straight but seems unable to truly say it without taking a pop at fans. We have an owner who is so rarely heard or seen he must be related to lord Lucan. An MD who is to Evans what Phil Neale was to Graham Taylor. You have destroyed us!!!!! I live away now in Lincoln and my boys have new shirts which are objects of ridicule. I now take them to watch the imps where football prevails. What will a 30k stadium look like in the national league? That's where Marcus is taking us. Get out man now!!!!!!!!

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LWNR2013 added 21:03 - Apr 2 I had a dream last night.......I was at PR, there were chocoalate eggs, a dozen or so magpies, some numbers and strange chanting.......it went something like this:- 78) One Bobby Robson, there's only one Bobby etc etc 79) someone's one killing our club (singing) etc etc 80) Sshh, Sshh, repeated loudly for 60 seconds 81) Thunderously.....One Bobby Robson, there's only One Bobby etc etc ... and the stadium EMPTIED. The only thing wrong about this is the silly song at 79) Anyone think of something better?

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warktheline added 21:36 - Apr 2 How the hell can Evans allow this untenable situation to continue! Money can be the only answer, cos I'll be darned to give any other explanation! Bloody turmoil!
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