Joe Nuttall’s injury time goal consigned the Blues to a 2-1 defeat at Blackpool. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s 26th minute goal gave the Tangerines a 1-0 half-time lead but Freddie Sears levelled with his first goal of the season on 54 and might have won it seconds before Nuttall’s winner for the home side.

Freddie Sears and Teddy Bishop both made their first league starts of the season either side of Will Keane in a front three as the Blues moved to a 4-3-3 system.

Cole Skuse was in the deeper midfield role behind Emyr Huws and Flynn Downes ahead of a back four of - from the right - Luke Woolfenden, skipper Luke Chambers, Josh Earl and Luke Garbutt.
"Gwion Edwards, Jon Nolan and Alan Judge dropped to the bench having started last week’s 1-0 home defeat to Oxford, while Kayden Jackson served the first game of his three-match ban for last week’s red card.

Young striker Tyreece Simpson was on the bench for the first time in a league game, while Armando Dobra was also in the 18.

Blackpool named the same team for the third successive game with ex-Blues loanee Liam Feeney starting and former Town midfielder Grant Ward on the bench.

The Tangerines won a couple of early corners, the second of which was claimed comfortably by keeper Tomas Holy despite very windy conditions. On six a Garbutt corner from the right floated over Keane’s head at the far post.

Town, in blue shorts, began to control the game and might have gone ahead in the 11th minute. Sears was played in on the right of the area and sent over a low ball which was hit just too hard for Huws as he broke into the box at the far post.

Two minutes later, a long Holy kick from his own area was assisted by the wind into the Blackpool area and bounced over the bar.

Sears got under a bouncing ball just outside the area and sent it well into the stand behind the goal in the 16th minute with the Blues having had the better of the opening quarter of an hour despite the difficult conditions.

There was a scare for Town in the 19th minute when Garbutt failed to deal with an awkward long ball but Chambers prevented Gary Madine from getting in a shot and the on-loan Everton man eventually put a cross from the left behind for a corner which came to nothing.

A minute later Bishop ran into an advertising hoarding at pace as he chased the ball out of play. After initially looking in some pain the academy product was OK to carry on.

Soon after, Downes won the ball in the Town half and brought it forward before feeding Keane to his right on the edge of the Blackpool box from where the ex-Manchester United trainee scraped a low shot across the face when he might have been better looking for Sears in the middle.

In the 24th minute Madine tried to catch Holy off his line with a shot from 35 yards out on the right but sent the ball well into the stand.

Two minutes later, the Tangerines took the lead with Town very much the architects of their own downfall.

First Garbutt’s back-heel not far outside the area on the left gave the ball away, then after the Blues had fended off the initial danger, Downes got in Huws’s way as the Welshman looked to bring it out from the edge of the box and Dewsbury-Hall hit a low shot which flew through a crowd of players beat Holy to his right off the inside of the post.

The Blues looked to hit back, Bishop playing a ball over the top for Sears which was too close to Tangerines keeper Chris Maxwell, who claimed. Off the field sections of the large Town following chanted ‘Lambert, sort it out’ and ‘five more years, you’re having a laugh’.

The Blues players felt they should have been awarded a penalty in the 37th minute when Downes was found in space on the left of the box and hit a shot which Maxwell saved. Sears looked to be first to the loose ball but was challenged as he sought to put away the rebound, the ball going behind.

The Blues claimed a spot-kick but referee Christopher Sarginson waved away the protests and awarded a goalkick, which seemed the least likely of the three possible decisions he could have made.

Downes hit a low shot wide a minute later with the Blues starting to put the home side under pressure. Soon after, Huws struck a shot which Maxwell gathered.

On 43 Chambers went down midway inside the Blackpool half with what looked like a painful knee problem as he battled for the ball with Madine but after treatment was able to carry on. Garbutt took the freekick and not for the first time saw it taken well beyond his team-mates by the wind.

In injury time, Maxwell saved Sears’s shot from the edge of the area down to his left after Keane had knocked down. Soon after, Bishop was halted in his tracks as he weaved his way into the area.

On the balance of the half, the Blues didn’t deserve to be behind having seen most of the ball and most of the chances.

But they could only have themselves to blame for the Blackpool goal which was the result of a series of errors.

At the other end, the Blues had had the chances to level the scores as they finished the half strongly but had again lacked a clinical edge, either missing the target or finding Maxwell in their way, although Sears might well have had a penalty.

Nathan Delfouneso flicked a header through to Holy soon after the restart, then on 51 Feeney hit a low shot at the far post which flew behind off Garbutt.

The Blues had caused Blackpool little danger since the break but in the 55th minute they equalised.

The home side failed to deal with a long ball ball down the right, Downes doing well to win possession and find Keane. The striker found himself some space before cutting the ball across the area to Sears, who fired past Maxwell to claim his first goal of the season, his last having come on January 26th last year prior to his ACL injury.

On 59 Downes was booked for shaking off Matthew Virtue-Thick who had been hanging off his shirt as he tried to bring the ball forward. It was the midfielder’s 10th league booking of the season meaning the England U19 international is banned for the next two games. Almost immediately, Downes and Bishop were swapped for Alan Judge and Dobra.

The game was developing into an end to end affair with Town dominating possession in the Blackpool half but not finding a way through the Tangerines’ backline, while the home side looked to catch the Blues on the break.

In the 66th minute Sears smashed a shot against a defender on the edge of the box before Blackpool switched Connor Ronan for Joe Nuttall.

Five minutes later, Sears crossed deep from the right and Judge scuffed a volley into the ground and through to Maxwell.

Soon after, Garbutt cut the ball back to Keane at the near post from where the striker managed an effort at goal which Maxwell turned behind. From the corner, Keane’s header looped well over.

But Blackpool were seeing more of the ball and in the 77th minute they went close to going back in front. After Holy had almost been caught out by Feeney’s pace - and the if anything even stronger wind - as he rushed out of his area to the left, the resultant corner was sent in and Madine headed against the bar. The ball bounced back out but Holy was able to claim.

At the other end, Dobra fed Judge, who hit a low shot not too far wide of Maxwell’s right post. On 81 Dewsbury-Hall was yellow-carded for a foul on Dobra.

As rain began to fall heavily, an attempted Holy long kick was virtually stopped in the air by the wind prior to Keane being replaced by Simpson, who was making his league debut.

Simpson was quickly into the action, breaking down the left and sending over a deep cross. Dobra cleverly tricked his way back in from the other flank but laid the ball off slightly too short for Judge on the edge of the box. On 86 Calum MacDonald was booked for a foul on Woolfenden as Town broke.

In injury time Sears looked like he might win it at one end when he was played through on goal by Judge but Maxwell saved to his left. And immediately the home side went up the other end and claimed the three points.

A cross was sent in from the right and sub Nuttall beat Holy to it at the near post to nod into the net. The Blackpool players celebrated with their fans behind the goal causing an advertising hoarding to fall over.

Town desperately went looking for another equaliser in the remaining seconds, Holy going up for corner, but referee Sarginson’s whistle confirmed another frustrating and ultimately pointless afternoon for the Blues.

Having got back on terms, the Blues saw plenty of the ball and had chances but as so often of late without finding the net.

Sears looked like he was going to win it in injury time only for Nuttall to grab a win for the home side which on the balance of the game they hadn’t deserved.

The result leaves Town still ninth, five points off the play-offs and nine from the top two ahead of back-to-back home games against Fleetwood and Coventry.

Blackpool: Maxwell, Turton, Moore, Husband, Macdonald, Feeney, Virtue, Ronan (Nuttall 67), Dewsbury-Hall, Delfouneso, Madine. Unused: Sims, Howe, Bola, Edwards, Spearing, Ward.

Town: Holy, Woolfenden, Chambers (c), Earl, Garbutt, Skuse, Downes (Judge 60), Huws, Sears, Bishop (Dobra 60), Keane (Simpson 83). Unused: Norris, Wilson, Edwards, Nolan. Referee: Christopher Sarginson (Staffordshire).

Photo: Pagepix

londontractorboy57 added 18:35 - Feb 29 hyperbrit Please explain how its a Tax write off and also what assets are there to sell. Please Think about the questions carefully before you reply.
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ITFCsince73 added 18:38 - Feb 29 The saddest points around this whole scenario. All the failures are contracted long term. None of them will be going anywhere soon. Evans will not pay millions to end Lambos contract. Lambo certainly won't walk from multi million pound contract. Evans won't pay to end the contracts of our captaincy team. There's not a hope in the world anyone would take 4&8 of our hands. Besides, Chambos a great club man. He has blue running through his veins. He always gives his all. He's just poor at football, can't lead a team. But great at leading supporters up a garden path. The quote of the season, (Chambo} “It would be a disaster if we don't go up” Hopefully the captain will come back to us this week with an update on that very important quote.

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RobsonWark added 18:38 - Feb 29 FFS Lambert grow some balls and drop CHAMBERS! The reason we have been in free fall for the past three seasons is because of all the mistakes our fist pumping captain makes (in his view it's every one else who makes mistakes and the reason we concede goals). Every managers downfall has been the fact that they continue to pick CHAMBERS! If you don't drop him Lambert you'll be out of the door next.

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RobsonWark added 18:47 - Feb 29 MarinersMane added 18:34 - Feb 29 "All to easy/lazy to blame what is now becoming a succession of managers for the miserable position our once proud club finds itself in. The blame truly lies at the top! Marcus Evans has hired 5 managers in his time in charge, 4 of these have previously had successful promotion campaigns, surely more than a coincidence that they have all failed since taking the reigns at ITFC, no, not a coincidence at all they have all suffered from the owners failure to properly invest (bar Hurst) in the team. He conveniently hides behind them letting them take the flak. It's time to wake to the common denominator and the only reason for our downfall, Marcus Evans is to blame! Cough up or sell up Marcus Evans!" They didn't have CHAMBERS in their teams!!!

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Len_Brennan added 18:48 - Feb 29 Lambert has to resign or be sacked tonight. No manager could expect to survive a run like we've been on; add in our aspirations of going up automatically & it's a joke that a club in relegation form over a number of months who retain a clearly incapable manager.
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ITFCsince73 added 18:50 - Feb 29 Robsonwark. It's clear to all and sundry that Chambo has the bare minimum requirements to be called a pro footballer. The very annoying thing for me is his captaincy record is 1 million times worse than abysmal. But we stick with it. Not just throughout this season. But for next season as well.
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martin587 added 18:53 - Feb 29 Len I agree with you 100%.Evans won't sack him as it will cost too much so walking is the only option and I fear he won't do that more the pity.😢
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RegencyBlue added 18:54 - Feb 29 I don't pretend to know what Evans is still doing at our club but I do know that he is killing us! We are a shambles on and off the pitch and the buck stops with Evans. He has run the club into the ground and we will continue to decline under his inept regime. We as fans cannot force him out if he is determined to stay but we can protest to make it clear to him we don't like it and want him gone. If he has any self respect he should get the message. I think he still harbours delusions that he can get paid a meaningful amount for the club but that ship has long sailed. He will have to virtually give it away and write off the debts but this has run its course for both parties and the sooner he recognises that fact the better.

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grubbyoik added 18:54 - Feb 29 We have a chance if we get rid of Lamber now.. Take a chance on another manager till the end of the season with a big bonus if he gets us up. We ve got nothing to lose..
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RobsonWark added 18:57 - Feb 29 ITFCsince73 We are doomed to division 2 - if not this season then next with Chambers as our leader. RIP Ipswich Town!
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RobsonWark added 18:59 - Feb 29 Still people mark me down when I mention Chambers (Must be his mum and dad). FFS OPEN YOUR EYES!!
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ITFCsince73 added 19:00 - Feb 29 Londontractor I'll reply to your questions. I'd say 95% of town supporters don't give a monkeys about any tax write offs. True or false. And 98% couldn't care less what, if any, assets there is to sell. Although it is clear assets of any value player wise, comes to 2. Maybe 3 at a push.
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blueboy1981 added 19:04 - Feb 29 jason0999 - I didn't say or suggest Evans hadn't made mistakes, the ludicrous contract being one of a long line of appointments. I hasten to add though that the many agreed with most at the time...!! - so easy to be wise after the event as we all know. What I will ask yet again for is - logical, sensible suggestions to alternative ownership - Where are they ?? Our biggest problem now is this - we have a failure of a Manager who is completely unable to change to conteract or even match his opposite number. How much more evidence should anyone need. His previous Club's record should prove that, as well as what we are seeing.

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ITFCsince73 added 19:06 - Feb 29 Robsonwark. I said along with yourself towards the end of last season. They'll be no promotion with the donkey Chambo leading proceedings. I prefer these days to refer to him as 4. Some reason it doesn't offend people as much.
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blue86 added 19:06 - Feb 29 Dont care what anyone says, ANY other pro club in the land and paul Lambert would be sacked! FACT! It's like bloody groundhog day. We the fans deserve and expect much more, Evan's, Lambert, and 90% of the players should hang there heads in shame, not fit to wear the badge of our once proud club. I'm both sad and angry tonight! We are on relegation form with this 'blip' in poxy league one! We are Ipswich town for feck sake.

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blueboy1981 added 19:09 - Feb 29 ..... to clarify - 'as well, as a long line of appointments'.
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londontractorboy57 added 19:12 - Feb 29 ITFCsince73 Iwasnt asking you?
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ringwoodblue added 19:12 - Feb 29 I feel most for those amazing away fans who give up their time every few weeks to go and watch our team being humiliated by sides who couldn't buy a win before Lambo's losers came to town. Southend and Bolton must be rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of playing us - they will probably pick up a rare 3 points. We need a new owner who will invest in the team and we need a new manager who knows how to get the best out of his squad but I'm realistic enough to realise we're not going to get either so the decline will continue.

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bluesince76 added 19:14 - Feb 29 There's only one man responsible for our current predicament and that's Evans without proper investment were only going one way . EVANS OUT
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thundercat added 19:16 - Feb 29 Just take a look at the Stats, Ipswich 57% possession, 15 shots with 7 on target with 1 goal. Now Blackpool 43% possession, 7 shots with 4 on target with 2 0f these being goals. Not good reading is it, and nope I do not have a clue how the Ipswich Town players could not hit the side of a barn if they stood inside it
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itsonlyme added 19:20 - Feb 29 It's time to protest against Evans in the rest of our home games!
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Northstandveteran added 19:21 - Feb 29 Northstandveteran added 10:44 - Dec 15 October "we're going to walk this league" December "we're still in the top two" February "we're still in a play off place" April "we can still make the play offs" Just like the last 20 years only a division lower. Unfortunately, so very predictable.
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dirtydingusmagee added 19:26 - Feb 29 i got down marked a few times earlier in season for saying we were not playing well and that we were in a false position at top, people said we were going to start playing better and we were going to walk it. We have been sliding for months the form table has been showing we were NOT getting better ,but worse.I like many got taken in pre season with the hype, and hope , it wont happen again, I wont be on terraces next season in Lge 1.Lambert has been running on empty all season ,ive had enough .Evans has killed off any hope i had .

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KernewekBlue added 19:29 - Feb 29 There is trouble afoot! There is a cancer eating away at our once glorious club from the inside... that parasitic tumour is Marcus Evans. Since he arrived, he has done nothing to improve or halt the slide into oblivion. His empty words backed by that creepy smile he wears in front of a camera makes my skin crawl. His managerial appointments, his less than frugal investment policy, the growing debt owed to him by the club, his sales of players for relative pennies (to go some way to balance his meagre outlay), his ignorance of how to turn the tide of poor performances and provide the tools for a promotion push... everything he does or doesn't do leaves us flat, game on game, season after season. More than 80% of people who voted whether or not he was good for our club said "NO". If that kind of percentage of the fan base want you out, it's time to go. If you're that disliked, why stay? If you're losing money year after year, why stay? If you're not going to make a significant investment to change things, WHY STAY??? Just what is keeping you at this club????? Put the club on the market Marcus, put it up for sale, sell up and slither out of our club never to return!

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HackneyBlue added 19:29 - Feb 29 So as many of you are saying we could or will lose our best players,i say who are they ? Vincent young yes but i personally do not think any others are any better than the best players from this division,what i am saying is if we could chose a team of players from league 1 right now how many would be ours? and why have other teams got better players/managers than us when with our budget we should have better. Answers please And before you say Downes(booked every week) Wolfenden (steady but not there yet) Bishop, Huws (Injury prone) Holy (can not command area) Norwood (barn door springs to mind).

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