Freddie Sears scored two goals but Bristol City came from behind twice to beat the Blues 3-2 at Portman Road, extending bottom-of-the-table Town’s all-time record home winless run to 12 matches. Sears put the Blues in front in the 32nd minute but a Bartosz Bialkowski own goal levelled the scores 10 minutes after the break. Sears’s second of the evening restored the lead on 58 but a minute later Jamie Paterson equalised for a second time before sub Famara Diedhiou won it for the visitors, who ended a run of four successive defeats.

Boss Paul Lambert named the same starting XI for the fourth successive match, while Ellis Harrison was back on the bench after his ankle injury having been out since the end of September.

Bristol City, who included former Blues central defender Adam Webster in their starting line-up, made two changes from the team which lost 2-0 to Leeds at the weekend.

Josh Brownhill was suspended having been red-carded in that game, while Jack Hunt dropped to the bench with Liam Walsh and Eros Pisano replacing them in the XI.

The Robins were the first to threaten as Town started slowly. In the fourth minute keeper Bartosz Bialkowski superbly tipped a Walsh shot from the edge of the box over the bar.

A minute later, Jamie Paterson cut in from the left after the Blues had made heavy weather of clearing but shot wide.

But Town quickly began to get themselves into the game and in the eighth minute Freddie Sears hit a shot from just outside the box which struck the stanchion to the right of Niki Maenpaa’s goal.

The Blues were beginning to make some headway, particularly down the right flank but with Gwion Edwards and Jordan Spence unable to find team-mates with their crosses.

On 12 managers Lambert and Lee Johnson engaged in a heated exchange after Jamie Paterson appeared to flick out at Edwards as they fell between the technical areas, the Welshman having fouled him. After a stern word to both managers the game continued without a card being issued.

The game continued to be an even affair with neither side creating an opportunity until the 21st minute when Andres Weimann was found in an offside position following a quick Bristol City break.

Four minutes later, Jordan Roberts, clearly frustrated that referee David Webb had failed to spot him being man-handled by the Robins centre-halves on a number of occasions, was booked for a late challenge on Tomas Kalas.

Just before the half hour, with referee Webb having continued to make decisions which irked the Town players and support - not least one tackle on Edwards that looked both high and late - spoke to Roberts again following an innocuous foul, presumably to tell him one more and he would be shown another card.

The Blues had begun to get on top as the half moved into its final quarter of an hour but without having created a serious chance.

But in the 32nd minute they took the lead. Former Robin Cole Skuse played a brilliant cross-field pass to Sears on the left and the striker drove into the area at pace before hitting a low shot across Maenpaa and into the corner of the net before celebrating his third goal of the Lambert era - as well as his 29th birthday yesterday - with his team-mates in front of the tunnel.

The Blues began the put the visitors under pressure. Roberts hit a 38th-minute freekick from just outside the area into the wall, then a minute later Trevoh Chalobah hooked over after a Jonas Knudsen long throw had bounced to him in the box, skipper Luke Chambers having won the ball in the air.

As the half moved into its final few minutes Bristol City briefly started to look the more threatening side but Town were able to repel them and were back on the front foot again as the half moved one additional minute.

Seconds before the whistle, all-action goalscorer Sears intercepted a ball laid back for a shot on the edge of the box then continued his run to the Robins left to prevent Lloyd Kelly from being able to get it back in the danger zone.

The whistle went soon afterwards with Town deserving their lead after an entertaining - if rather mistake-ridden - half.

The Blues had started poorly and City might well have taken the lead but for Bialkowski’s early stop but found their feet and had looked the more composed team when the goal came, even if chances hadn’t been coming in great numbers.

Bristol City, who went into the game having lost four on the trot, swapped wideman Hakeeb Adelakun for striker Diedhiou at the break.

Robins skipper Marlon Pack’s 49th minute shot deflected through to Bialkowski with the game end to end in the early spell after the restart.

The visitors were forced into a change in the 54th minute, Walsh having picked up a knock. Joe Morrell took over.

Two minutes later the scores were level, somewhat fortuitously for the Robins. Kelly broke down the left and sent over a low cross which Bialkowski was only able to get a touch on as it came across. No Town player was able to clear, the ball struck sub Diedhiou but was going wide until Bialkowski inadvertently pawed it into his own net.

But the Blues quickly restored their lead. In the 58th minute, three minutes after the Robins’ equaliser, Skuse’s shot was blocked but landed at Sears’s feet, the striker hitting a low effort which beat Maenpaa to his right and nestled in the corner of the net.

However, Town’s second lead of the night lasted only a minute. A cross from the left found Paterson unmarked at the far post from where he shot past Bialkowski, who could only get a hand to the ball.

And, after Maenpaa had blocked a Chambers header at the near post, it was to get worse for the Blues in the 64th minute when the visitors took the lead for the first time.

Kelly’s shot deflected into the path of Diedhiou off Chambers as he ran in on goal and the Senegalese headed past Bialkowski, the game’s fourth goal in only nine minutes.

Town immediately swapped Roberts for Kayden Jackson as they sought a way back into a game which not too long earlier they had been favourites to win.

On 72 Jack Lankester took over from Edwards, then in the 78th minute Spence was yellow-carded for a foul on Niclas Eliasson. While Bristol City prepared to take the freekick, Harrison replaced Downes.

But the visitors were looking more likely to score a fourth than the Blues were to equalise. In the 80th minute Bialkowski quickly came off his line to claim at the feet of Weimann.

However, Town started to look more dangerous. On 82 Lankester, once again impressive from the bench, found Knudsen on the left and the Danish international’s cross eventually fell to Jackson, who looped an overhead kick into the arms of Maenpaa.

Lankester’s 86th minute freekick from the right was easily cleared by the Robins but the Blues kept the ball in the final third and Knudsen eventually nodded back into the danger zone where Sears was unable to get a touch as he looked to flick towards goal.

Paterson failed to hit the target from distance on 88 before the fourth official’s board signalled six additional minutes. Soon after, Robins boss Johnson was yellow-carded for remonstrating with the fourth official.

Town went looking for an equaliser in the closing stages but not overly convincingly. Seconds before the whistle, Jackson picked up a booking for a foul.

An evening which showed so much promise ultimately ended in probably the most disappointing home defeat of the season.

The Blues had gone into the game with yesterday’s results having gone in their favour and with Bristol City on a dreadful run.

Having got the lead in the first half Town were on top but gave a calamitous goal away but were still able to get their noses back in front through man of the match Sears’s fourth in four games.

The Robins were rocking at that stage but there was no knockout punch and they were all but gifted the points via two more defensively disastrous goals with the Blues never really looking like getting back into the match from there.

The prospect of relegation to the third tier for the first time in 62 years becomes ever more real with Town having failed to take points from another potentially winnable game, still without a victory at Portman Road, and with tough trips to Nottingham Forest and Stoke City up next.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Pennington, Knudsen, Skuse, Chalobah, Downes (Harrison 78), Edwards (Lankester 72), Sears, Roberts (Jackson 65). Unused: Gerken, Donacien, Bishop, Ward.

Bristol City: Maenpaa, Kelly, Kalas, Webster, Adelakun (Diedhiou 46), Eliasson, Walsh (Morrell 54), Pack (c), Pisano (Hunt 76), Paterson, Weimann. Unused: O’Leary, Dasilva, Baker, Eisa. Referee: David Webb (Lancashire). Att: 13,726 (Bristol City: 290).

Photo: TWTD

BobbyBell added 15:00 - Nov 29 I just watched the highlights. Does anyone know what Spence is doing on the pitch??? He is so far away from the opponents that they have all the time in the world to get their crosses in. Has he ever been told how to defend or maybe even make a challenge. You can't give players that much space. No wonder he's to blame for so many goals this season. All three goals came from his side and Bristol City are not the first side to exploit the obvious weakness we have on our right side.

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ITFCsince73 added 16:15 - Nov 29 As said previous a defence that includes Chambo, Jonas and Spence is on a hiding to nothing. Chambers 100% guaranteed to start regardless of results or league position. Same story with others. Been going on for to long now. Real damage finally has been done.
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Swn98 added 16:32 - Nov 29 Superfan bluebore laying the blame at the be careful what you wish for brigade WE DO STILL attend the trouble with you is that you think your opinion is the only one that counts, well listen up old timer its not.
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blueboy1981 added 17:27 - Nov 29 ........ maybe it's time for a certain MM Superfan to learn to read, and then understand what's written. Blatantly obvious that there is a fundamental need. Thought you were now following the ROI anyway ....... what's happened there ? - you're obviously NOT a genuine Town fan, so stop pretending, you kid no one, least of all me.
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Swn98 added 17:31 - Nov 29 I do read i do understand and i conclude that you are a sanctimonious bully wrapped up in your own opinion.
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blueboy1981 added 17:38 - Nov 29 .......... Bravo - self opinionated super critic of all things Ipswich Town, since the leaving of your Messiah. Do the honourable thing, and follow your Master - I don't believe in telling anyone following ITFC to do this but you are the ultimate pretender, and wouldn't be missed. Follow the Master - to pastures Green., and Good Riddance. The invite still stands remember - over to YOU.

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dirtydingusmagee added 18:06 - Nov 29 StowTractorBoy i dont mark people down for fun and probably never down marked you before, but Evans appointed Hurst,and should have overseen the transfers, he didnt he admitted hewas surprised at the way Hurst went about it.Hurst was a nightmare, but Evans appointed him, the buck stops at the top, Evans has always been the weakest link, he took ITFC as a sideline,no desire no ambition and we are reaping the seeds he sowed .EVANS OUT

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WoodfordTim added 18:36 - Nov 29 Still wondering how we lost that game. Paul Hurst acted like a completely naive & clueless twerp signing all these lower league players expecting them to all step up to Championship level on day one. Despite what PH dismissively says now, he bought a new team. Paul Lambert can only work with who he has inherited and is doing a brilliant job, but he cannot legislate for individual errors or players that are just not good enough. And what players would be willing to join us in January knowing that League One is looking likely? I don't like people knocking ME. He has ploughed in some £100Mn of his own money since taking over ownership. Some on here finding it easy to spend his money. Without ME, ITFC would go down the plughole. Still can't believe that Hurst turned out to be so naive, stupid and cocky with it. Suppose he was being paid £20k a week while he was here. ME must be feeling so let down as he has got about as much idea about football as all the contributors on here!

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Northstandveteran added 19:14 - Nov 29 Yes Woodford Tim. I do feel Evans has made the best managerial appointments every time, just been very unlucky. Keane. Took Sunderland to the top flight by spending millions. Evans appoints Keane and gives him millions. Paul Jewell. Proven over and over again at this level. McCarthy. A proven manager at many levels. Just became stale. If only he had been given the cash instead of big bad Roy. Hurst. The up and coming young manager who would play attacking football and unearth talent from the lower leagues. As my dad always used to say "it's easy to spend other people's money" How must Evans feel? A self made billionaire with obviously the Midas touch in everything he does. Then he spends millions on a football club to end up with a product/business that is failing in every possible way. I should imagine he would gladly allow someone to take it off his hands.

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Tractorboy1985 added 19:25 - Nov 29 The problem is he is a billionaire and yes he has ploughed money in but the bare minimum! I would rather have joe bloggs from a council estate with pittance but a know how how to run a football club and using our own talent in league 2 but a club to be proud of and a strategy to climb the leagues! This man was spose to take us to the promise land! Instead he is now taking us to the 3rd tier for first time in over 60 years! He is very much hands on when it comes to contracts and who he brings in (that's a disaster in itself) a manager should be the one controlling everything and Evans should let the manager run the club! I don't care what anyone says the buck stops with him! Final! EVANS OUT! Joe bloggs from the council estate IN!

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Swn98 added 19:27 - Nov 29 I got castigated on here last season for defending MM and saying "that the players were honest hard working but in the end not up to it " certain people !!!!!!.....said it was MM fault Whilst i believe eventually Lambert will do a good job once he can mould his own squad. I am with you Woodfordtim with a few exceptions most posters on here Know very little.
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herfie added 20:01 - Nov 29 How the fudge have we arrived here? The hope that was burning bright is rapidly fading. Whilst ME's remote, semi-detached, ownership; past managerial incompetence or arrogance;dud transfer dealings etc have all amounted to demise by a thousand cuts over the years, I place responsibility for last night's abysmal result firmly at the feet of the players (Sears and Skuse excluded). Knowing how critical the game was, taking all the pre-match talk and hype and facing a team on a poor run, the majority of our players just did not give enough. Same players, same individual errors; inability to win, retain and pass, not sesnsing danger quickly enough or powder puff defending. And yet still believing it will come good. Behind closed doors I hope PL and his team dish out some much needed home truths. Will be interesting to see who starts on Saturday. But......COYB!

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Gcon added 20:34 - Nov 29 I see Blueboy is still trying to suggest a fight with fellow ITFC supporters that don't agree with him... a. Are you seriously that pathetic an individual? Really?! The moronic behaviour of a put-upon school kid. b. I'm sure you have claimed to have been watching the town since around the 1950's. That makes you about 100 years old!?
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warktheline added 21:19 - Nov 29 Time for a reality check and 'man up' folks! With this current 'crop' we are going down, there's no doubting that! All the signs were there when McCarthy overstayed his welcome by 2 years! Argue the 'blame' all day long but the fact remains, total lack of investment and progression in those last two campaigns under McCarthy! Steady deterioration under McCarthy and the wrong appointment of hapless Hurst completely compounded the situation! Rewind to McCarthy's appointment, same scenario to Lambert's ! How some don't blame Evans is mind boggling! 10 years of one mishap after another! 'Groundhog Day Evans'!!!!!! IF Lambert stays, and Evans 'backs him', I guarantee, this time next season Ipswich Town will be 'ripping up' Div1 and Portman Rd will be rocking and entertaining! Grin and bare it for now!!!

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blues1 added 21:54 - Nov 29 Bluearmy81. Im not apologising for him. Just stating the facts which many fans dont like. Of course id love him to spend more money but the fact is, he hasnt got the extra money to soend. And yes, youll undoubtedly come back at me and say hes worth around £800m. Yes, hes worth that, but thats not what he has in his bank account. The vaat majority of that value is whats tied up in his businesss. Also those owners who are spending millions are worth billions, not millions which is why they have that money to hand. And they also dont own a club thats been in administration once already so can take the risk of spending big. If we were to go into administration a 2nd time, the club gets liquidated so we have no club to support. Thus evans has to safeguard the future of the club. Having said all that, i would totally agree with anyobe who says that if he either cant or wont spend more then he should sell up to someone who is in a position to do so. And i, like any other town fan would welcome that.

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blueboy1981 added 22:32 - Nov 29 Gcon ......... get your facts right - I do not want to 'fight' anyone - but neither you or anyone else will continue to name call me abusively without being offered to let me see the colour of their eyes in doing so. Some may treat it with the disdain it deserves, others won't, of which I am one. Therefore the message to you, and your said cohort - once again is:- PUT UP OR SHUT UP. Anyone can name call, and be abusive from behind a keyboard, it's called cowardice. Hope this is not too difficult for you both to understand. If that isn't simple - I don't know what is. Goodnight - Good Riddance to you both, or the other option - YOUR choice.

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Northstandveteran added 23:17 - Nov 29 Great to see the fans united following McCarthy's exit....
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blues1 added 00:21 - Nov 30 Tractorboy1985. If ur going to comment you need to get your facts right. Evams is not a billionaire. His total value is around 800m. And the majority of that is tied up in his businesses. Its not money available to him to spend. Could only get at that money by selling his businesses. He puts in what he can afford to do plus we are abidibg ny the ffp which limits him further. The only way this club can afford to spend more is to find an owner of vast weakth. But thats not easy to do. And also would need to find the right kind of owner too. Dont want to end up with a vincent tan or an oyston type.

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algarvefan added 01:10 - Nov 30 I have just read through all the comments on here, it saddens me deeply to see Town fans arguing among themselves and even being abusive to each other just because they hold a certain opinion. We are where we are, these problems have been coming for a long while now, it's no surprise to most of us, all we can do is support the team and hope for an upturn in form. It's football after all and stranger things have happened, lets stop kicking each other and get behind the lads & PL.

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Swn98 added 07:00 - Nov 30 What a fool you are Bluebore you are a laughing stock.
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Swn98 added 11:13 - Nov 30 Agree Alagarve ive had run ins with a few on here when Paul Hurst came i stated let bygones be bygones and get behind the team which i have done as i have done for 45+ years. However there is one tenacious keyboard taper!!!!!!.... who thinks his is the only opinion. If you read my first post after each match it is always about the match the players and MY OPINION of the outcome.

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KeepCalmAndHateNorwi added 15:08 - Nov 30 For those of you chastising Bart I don't know what to say. Have you seen the first 12 seconds of the highlights. Amazing save, quality keeper, end of! Schmeical made a couple of blunders for Man Utd at times - did Fergie drop him? Bart is playing behind a very weak defense and can no way take accountability for their inadequacies.
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blueboy1981 added 16:03 - Nov 30 Swn98 ........ still at it I see. When will you ever learn ? - that self praise is no recommendation.
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blueboy1981 added 16:35 - Nov 30 ......... Swn98 ....... that's the very two things you are expert at - showing what a fool, and laughing stock you are. I wouldn't even think about challenging that - a dead cert' - no contest if ever there was one.
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blueboy1981 added 16:36 - Nov 30 .......... not forgetting your Parrot, or is it a Nodding Dog ..... ??
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