Town’s relegation to the third tier for first time in 62 years was confirmed after a 1-1 draw with Birmingham City at Portman Road. The visitors took the lead in the seventh minute via Lukas Jutkiewicz before Gwion Edwards netted the equaliser a minute after the restart. The Blues had the better of a second half in which Alan Judge hit the post but were unable to find the winner which would have put off a relegation which has seemed inevitable for some months for a further week.

Boss Paul Lambert made four changes to his team with Josh Emmanuel returning for James Bree, who was among the subs, at right-back with James Collins at the centre of the defence alongside skipper Luke Chambers and Toto Nsiala among the subs.

In midfield, Flynn Downes and Trevoh Chalobah dropped to the bench with Cole Skuse back in his usual deeper role, while Gwion Edwards returned from a groin injury to take up his position on the right of the front three with Andre Dozzell returning to the central trio.

Birmingham made two changes from the team which drew 1-1 with Sheffield United in midweek with Kerim Mrabti and Jota taking over from Jacques Maghoma and Connor Mahoney.

The game couldn’t have got off to a worse start for the Blues with the visitors taking the lead in the seventh minute via the first serious attack of the game.

Maxime Colin brought the ball in from the right and cut across to Lukas Jutkiewicz, who slammed his third goal against the Blues this season into the roof of the net from a matter of feet. The former Burnley man, who scored both his side’s goals in the 2-2 draw between the teams at St Andrew’s earlier in the season, won’t score an easier goal this season.

The Midlanders threatened again three minutes later, Che Adams hitting a low shot through to Bartosz Bialkowski in the Town goal.

The visitors kept up the pressure and on 11 Adams hit a cross-shot from the right of the box which the sliding Jutkiewicz was just unable to reach.

Town had still to get going and on 15 Mrabti smashed a shot against Chambers following another dangerous Birmingham move down the right.

A minute later, the Blues struck their first shot of the afternoon, Myles Kenlock bringing the ball in from the left before hitting a right-footed shot over the bar.

But it was still mainly Birmingham and in the 22nd minute a loose ball ran to Jota on the edge of the box from where he struck a powerful shot which Bialkowski did well to save across to his right.

The visitors continued to dominate and went close again just before the half hour when Adams cut back to Jota from the left but the former Brentford man shot against Jutkiewicz. In the 31st minute Edwards was shown the game’s first yellow card for a foul.

On 37 Jutkiewicz hit a freekick well into the Sir Bobby Robson Stand, which was more than making itself heard despite the lack of anything to cheer on the pitch.

A minute later, Judge forced Lee Camp into his first save of the afternoon, the veteran keeper tipping over the Blues midfielder’s freekick from 30 yards out.

Collins was cautioned for a foul on Adams on 42, then Skuse picked up Town’s third yellow card of the half for a late challenge on Adams three minutes later, Gary Gardner curling the resultant freekick high and wide.

In injury time Chambers joined Skuse in the book for a foul on Adams as he broke towards the area. The Birmingham number nine took the freekick himself and shot low through to Bialkowski.

That was the last action of a half in which the Blues never got going following the early visitors’ goal. It was certainly Town’s poorest home 45 minutes for a while.

Birmingham had been well in control through and had had more than enough opportunities to increase their lead with Town’s only efforts Kenlock’s shot over the bar and Judge’s late freekick.

The Blues will have to be very much better in the second half if their 17-year stay in the Championship isn’t to end with a whimper.

Town swapped Dozzell, who had had a quiet first period, for striker Kayden Jackson ahead of the second half, and a minute after the restart they levelled.

Following a throw on the left, sub Jackson sent over a sublime cross to the far post where Edwards evaded his dithering full-back to smash into the net.

The Blues suddenly looked a completely different team and within a minute almost went in front.

Emmanuel crossed from the right and the stretching Judge hit a volley back across Camp but off the post. Harlee Dean somehow scrambled it away from Bishop and behind before the midfielder could stab the rebound over the line.

Town kept up the pressure and Jackson wasn’t too far away with a shot which flew just past Camp’s left post.

The visitors, somewhat shell-shocked by the Blues’ second half transformation, eventually regained something of a foothold and conjured Adams a chance with a well-worked move which the striker hit straight at Bialkowski from the edge of the box.

Birmingham threatened again on 57 via Mrabti, who shot wide on the turn, with the game increasingly end to end and open. Four minutes later, Collins was replaced by Nsiala, presumably due to a knock or niggle.

Town had what looked a decent shout for a penalty in the 66th minute when Collin Quaner appeared to be haul back as he sought to get on to Edwards’s cross from the right but referee Jeremy Simpson - an official not usually shy when it comes to awarding penalties - waved away the protests.

Jutkiewicz headed over for Birmingham in the 78th minute, then two minutes later Kristian Pedersen was booked for a foul on Edwards on the right touchline. A minute later Nsiala joined him in the book for a challenge on Jutkiewicz.

As the game entered its final five minutes the Blues again began to put the visitors under pressure.

On 86 Judge again wasn’t far away from his first Town goal after Jackson had laid back Edwards’s cross from the right. However, Camp made an impressive save to his right.
"Seconds later, Kenlock cut in from the left and struck a shot which deflected wide off a Birmingham defender.

The Blues kept up the push to keep their Championship status alive for another week during injury times, Edwards hitting a powerful shot having been found in space which struck a defender.

The Sir Bobby Robson Stand was still singing loudly and defiantly as the final whistle and confirmation of the Blues’ drop into League One came, ending 17 years in the Championship.

And they continued to sing, if anything more loudly, as manager Lambert brought his players over to the penalty area to pay tribute to the club’s support after the most disappointing of seasons.

Having been poor in the first half, the Blues were much better after the break and would have deserved the three points had they been able to take a chance with Judge unlucky not to claim his first Town goal when he hit the post.

In the end the Blues had to be content with their 12th 1-1 league draw of the season, not enough to extend what was effectively a battle lost long ago into an additional week.

Town next travel to Preston on Good Friday for the first of four now-meaningless games from their perspective, ahead of their first season at third tier level since their 1956/57 Third Division South championship campaign under Sir Alf Ramsey.

Town: Bialkowski, Emmanuel, Chambers (c), Collins (Nsiala 61), Kenlock, Skuse, Dozzell (Jackson 46), Bishop, Judge, Edwards, Quaner. Unused: Gerken, Chalobah, Downes, Bree, El Mizouni.

Birmingham: Camp, Colin, Dean, Morrison, Pedersen, Jota (Mahoney 70), G Gardner, Davis, Mrabti (Maghoma 90), Adams, Jutkiewicz. Unused: Trueman, Harding, Roberts, C Gardner, Vassell Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire). Att: 17,248 (Birmingham: 1,582).

Photo: TWTD

thechangingman added 18:32 - Apr 13 So, the day is finally here, and we're now officially and a League One club. For the first time in my life. This slow, death-by-a-thousand-cuts, has been a very long time coming. In fact, it's hard to remember the last time I felt happy, or optimistic, as a Town fan. I also fear, that if we walk blindly, and blithely, towards our relegation, and subsequent tenure in League One, that we'll be deserving all we get... It's time to stop, and take time to reflect, rationally and without rancour, on what got us here. This is not a time for knee-jerk reactions, which will immediately be swept away by unfolding hardships. Our demise hasn't happened overnight, or even over a season. We've been 'spilling blood' for a decade, and unless we address the real reasons for this, then I fear our relegation is only the beginning of our woes. I love Ipswich Town Football Club with all my heart, always have and always will, and this day hurts. A lot. I can't simply say, 'we'll be okay', or spout some optimistic drivel about 'good times ahead'. This is a fully-fledged crisis, and unless we accept this, and take dramatic, and drastic, action, then this 'coma' will lead to the death of our illustrious club. My heart is breaking today, as it is for all of us with blue-blood. I hope we can find common cause, and in good time, name, shame, and eradicate the reasons, and not the symptoms, for our current calamity. I am glad to have this forum, to voice my pain, and share it with a community joined together by our love of the Town. Today is a day for sorrow. Then it is time for reflection. Then, and only then, should we point the finger, name our cause, unite around it, take the necessary action, and start to rebuild our club, from the bottom up, to start all over again...

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essexccc added 18:32 - Apr 13 Carsey - your post is spot on. Agree with all you said. Mistakes made and lots of them, but supporters support and I'll continue to do so because Ipswich are my team. What else can we do? Saying "Evans Out", whatever you think of him, is naïve unless those who shout it know who is going to take his place and his debt. f they do, then all power to them, but If he goes without a replacement, it will be the administrators again who will take his place, as they did last time we spent more than we could afford. Starting league 1 minus 10 points is not really in anyone's interest, unless you are a Scummer.

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Michael101 added 18:38 - Apr 13 Blue army what the ***king he'll is facebook???
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blueboy1981 added 18:39 - Apr 13 jason0999 - pot, kettle. black ???
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Osbourne_One_Nil added 18:39 - Apr 13 The club has lead a hand to mouth existence for decades only shining when an extraordinary manager got the performances of a career out of good , but by no means exceptional players. Look at those teams who have been in the prem since us, Bolton, Bradford , Barnsley, Blackpool Portsmouth , Charlton , Swindon, Oldham most were or are financial basket cases . We have no divine right to be in the top divisions and there are plenty of clubs with "history" worse off than ourselves Over to Owner and Management

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Edmundo added 18:43 - Apr 13 We need to find our Pukki for next season, and go with youth plus a proper midfield general. How old is Warky??
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TBT added 18:47 - Apr 13 Saxonblue, you credit Marcus Evans too much Sir, have you any evidence to the contrary that Marcus Evans doesn't care one jot about ITFC. Where is he now, where has he been all season, all decade? There are masses of alternative investors, clubs are being bought and sold at all levels. Joe Royal's son was leading a group of Chinese investors who wanted to buy a Championship club. They approached Marcus Evans and he ignored their emails and so they bought Wigan Athletic.

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osseyseleven added 18:48 - Apr 13 EVANS OUT..........under his ownership our club has bit by bit been destroyed , because this downturn has happened over such a long period I don't think many supporters really see how far we have fallen........Evans can only afford a league 1 club and that is where will stay ........I truly fear the club may never come back from this ........I can't understand anyone supporting Evans staying at this club , he and only he is accountable for the total mess the whole club is in and in the remaining home games the supporters should make that known to him ........what happens in the summer is vital to the future of this club..........it is no good waiting till Xmas next year when we are a mid table league one team .Evans has to either be a proper owner and put his balls on the line or let someone else with some desire to be successful come in and take over.......Evans OUT

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blueboy1981 added 18:51 - Apr 13 jason0999 - enjoy your new support group. At times like this you see the true colours of people ..... !!!
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Bluearmy_81 added 18:52 - Apr 13 Ps blueboy. this whole 'if you can't buy the club you can't criticise' is as ridiculous as 'managers should help buy players out of their own wages!' Never heard anything like it in football. Utterly ridiculous.
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blueboy1981 added 18:53 - Apr 13 TBT - Chinese owners ? - thanks, but no thanks, not at all being prejudiced in any way.
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TBT added 18:57 - Apr 13 Blueboy you are a deluded xenophobe, foreign money rules English football. I'd prefer to be in Wigan's position right now mate.
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Geddis78 added 19:01 - Apr 13 Proud to be a Town fan today. 17000 in the ground. Great support and noise despite another pretty mediocre performance and seeing the whole of the North Stand singing'Ipswich til I die' at the end brings a lump to my throat as I type now. Well done all. Let's hope for better things next season. With support like that, I am very optimistic.
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TBT added 19:02 - Apr 13 Or Wolverhampton Wanderers, having to put up with their Chinese investors!
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heathen66 added 19:05 - Apr 13 So it is finally here, the inevitable relegation to the Third tier of English football. It is a sad day but one that has been coming for a while, delayed by Bialkowskis heroics of the last 3 seasons Paul Lambert has done wonders off the pitch and that is reflected in the reaction of the supporters after the game today, however I do question his ability on it. So after all these weeks / months of going for it and nothing to lose we finally did something about it in the second half and played 2 up top. At times we attached with pace and endeavour, Quaner looked a completely different player and Jackson a real live wire bringing the best out of Edwards, Bishop and Judge. My issues are in defence and midfield. Often when momentum was gained the ball gets to Skuse and he stops,puts his foot on it and rolls it slowly sideways or 70% of the time back to his best mate Chambo...momentum lost..and then strolls about. Nsiala has been superb for us, but keeps getting dropped for the underperforming Senior pros. Toto's name should be first on the team sheet not the liability Chambers. If we think playing these 2 in league one (with one up top) is the way forward then the return to the Championship will be a long way off.

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ITFCsince73 added 19:06 - Apr 13 Down without a fight....No fight whatsoever in last 10 games. A total disgrace. Chambo leading the club into an abyss. It will be bloody hard to come back from this, almost impossible with captain fantastic leading the team.
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midastouch added 19:10 - Apr 13 Been resigned to this for a long time now. Bookmakers had us as one of the favourites to go down at the start of the season so it's not a huge surprise given how weak we've been in the transfer market for some time now under Evans. Our best hope is the youth. Let's hope they kick on next season and we can bounce back. But I'm under no illusions that it won't all be plain sailing next season. League One could literally make or break us!

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Northstandveteran added 19:11 - Apr 13 R.I.P Ipswich town football club. Down arrow all you like. I don't have to prove my allegiance by writing positive things because there are none. The club is in a disastrous state both financially and on the pitch. Next season will be one of the most important in the club's history. I see no reason why it will be successful. A history to be proud of and fantastic support won't change this.

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Tractorblue1939 added 19:18 - Apr 13 Terrible day. Very sad as a huge lover of ITFC. I still believe very much though that we have a bright future. The team is so young and improving quickly. Desperately need a goalscorer. Let's be honest with ourselves though. Blaming Chambers for our season is not constructive or realistic. There have been costly errors from all squad members to contribute to conceding. Chambers has had his share, no doubt. But Collins is the only real class defender we have and he's been injured and in the twilight years. Knudsen had his head turned. Pennington isn't ours and has had good games but has frequently been done in the air. Kenlock is improving but still young, and effective in a strong defence that we just haven't had this season. Bree, decent mostly, but a late season loan. Nsiala has slowly adapted but was poor under Hurst. I could go on. It'll come. But play Chambers or drop him, I think we have just drawn too many games and I don't think it would have been different. Where we have lacked most is up top. Opposition don't fear us. Hurst sold everyone with teeth. I agree with many here about Evans, he has appointed some poor managers and given them a shoestring. McCarthy did a decent job results-wise with no resources to plug the holes following some really bad post-Magilton years (where we also flirted with the abyss). I feared a repeat when he left us. I know that won't be popular with many on here, but seeing where we were when he arrived and no change in policy from Marcus, this was always a possibility. Hurst could have been a great appointment given time, but we'd have gone down first. Lambert may prove to be, and i actually really like him and his positivity. But we need an owner who gives a S÷×t about us. Step up, Marcus. So, we rebuild. The future will be better, I really think the youth is good and will do us proud in the coming seasons. COYB.

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ITFCsince73 added 19:21 - Apr 13 Well said NSV. Comments clearly from someone with there head out the sand. Must just add the Chambo contract extension is the biggest cock up of Evans reign so far. And there has been many.
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RobsonWark added 19:24 - Apr 13 blueboy1981 added 18:08 - Apr 13 "Any objection against the Owner is pointless - without an alternative", SIMPLE - TELL CHAMBERS TO F.O.
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blueboy1981 added 19:24 - Apr 13 TBT - that's your opinion - not mine. Short term gain does not always lead to long term benefit, as many Clubs have found out.
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ITFCsince73 added 19:26 - Apr 13 Dolphinblue today was supposed to be a brilliant display again wasn't it?? Nailed on win wasn't it ?? Your predictions for next season are worthless. And laughable.
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blueboy1981 added 19:26 - Apr 13 RobsonWark - clever stuff ... !! Bravo.
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londontractorboy57 added 19:26 - Apr 13 A sad day thank goodness that my 46 years made me privileged to see the cup final all the great trips to Europe,the great tussles in old Div 1 not quite finishing top. The two majestic Dutchmen the hard men Hunter and the beat in fact a team packed with quality Sir Bobby and the Cobbolds who made you Feel such a part of the club now Div 2. Forever the optimist lets bounce straight back up and enjoy the journey.

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