Former Town loanee Callum Connolly and Ged Garner were on target as Fleetwood deservedly defeated the Blues 2-0 at the Highbury Stadium. Connolly nodded the opener in the ninth minute and Garner added the second with a low shot on 57 with Town, who are down to seventh, never looking like they would get anything from the game.

Cole Skuse made his first start of the season in place of Flynn Downes in an otherwise unchanged Town line-up.

Skuse, a sub at the weekend having been out since pre-season with a knee injury which required surgery, took up his usual central midfield role alongside Andre Dozzell, Downes having suffered a hamstring injury in the 1-0 home win against Plymouth on Saturday.

Kayden Jackson again started with James Norwood, who has been suffering with back spasms and was in court this morning, absent from the 18, while Josh Harrop returned to the bench.

Former Blues loanee Connolly skippered Fleetwood, while on-loan Blues defender Janoi Donacien was ineligible against his parent club and 11-goal top scorer Callum Camps missed out due to a hamstring injury.

The Blues got off to a bright start and in the fourth minute an Alan Judge ball played into the path of Jackson breaking towards the penalty area was just cut out by a Fleetwood boot.

However, it was the Cod Army who would take the lead from the game’s first chance. A long throw was sent in from the right by James Hill and ex-Town loan man Connolly was unchallenged as he was allowed to nod backwards and across Tomas Holy and into the corner of the net.

Fleetwood, buoyed by their goal, went close again in the 16th minute when Garner shot not too far wide of Holy’s right post from just outside the box.

Town were struggling to keep hold of the ball, giving it away cheaply all too often, and on 18 Holy was forced to rush off his line to clear ahead of Kyle Vassell as the home side continued to push for a second.

Hard-working Fleetwood continued to look the better side but on 32 Gwion Edwards got round the outside of his man on the right and sent in a low ball to the near post which Jackson turned into the side-netting.

A minute later, Danny Andrew took a quick free-kick from deep and Hill almost found himself in on goal but the ball beat him and ran behind.

Well-drilled Fleetwood continued to look the more threatening side and in the 43rd minute they went close again. Vassell did well on the right and Garner took a touch before flicking a low effort from the near post towards goal which somehow stuck between Holy’s feet. It was a lucky escape for the Blues.

During one minute of added on time the game was delayed after Edwards challenged Jordan Rossiter somewhat recklessly midway inside the Fleetwood half. The home players briefly called for a red card but referee Gavin Ward showed only a yellow.

The Welshman was the more badly hurt of the two and was off the field hobbling as the half was brought to an end.

A very poor 45 minutes from the Blues against a well-organised Fleetwood side who could and should have been more than a goal in front.

Aside from a positive opening couple of minutes, Town had toiled having struggled to keep possession and with Edwards’s cross for Jackson their only chance of the half. Manager Paul Cook had cut a frustrated figure on the touchline.

Town changes of personnel to give the display a lift would have been little surprise but in the end there was only the enforced switch of the injured Edwards for Harrop.

The Cod Army started the second half positively and threatened for the first time on 47 when Dan Batty sent over a free-kick from the left and Vassell looped it on to the roof of the net.

Three minutes later, Vassell shot over from just inside the area after a Fleetwood break after a Town attack had broken down.

Dozzell almost scored an own goal of the season contender in the 55th minute when he miscued Holy’s punch from a corner in completely the wrong direction and only just wide of the post.

Fleetwood only had to wait another two minutes for their second goal, however. Vassell fed Garner towards the edge of the area and the 22-year-old hit a low drive just inside the post.

The home side were well worth doubling their lead with the Blues having shown no signs of improvement since the break.

On 61 there was another scare for Town when Holy gifted the ball to Will Burns inside the area as he and James Wilson exchanged passes but fortunately for the Blues the Fleetwood man took it out of play.

The Cod Army had their tails well and truly up and three minutes later Burns was sent away one-on-one with Holy on the right of the box but the Blues keeper was out quickly to block. Moments later, the big Czech was in action again, saving above his head from Vassell.

Blues boss Cook made a triple change in the 67th minute with Stephen Ward, Jack Lankester and Aaron Drinan replacing Kenlock, Parrott and Judge with Harrop moving into the number 10 role.

On 67 an Andrew shot was diverted away from goal by Toto Nsiala, then three minutes later Vassell shot over.

Sub Ward managed Town’s first effort on target in the 71st minute, the Irishman exchanging passes with Judge and bringing the ball in from the left before hitting a shot which under-worked home keeper Alex Cairns palmed into the air and over. From the corner, Nsiala rose highest but nodded against a defender.

Holy was given little trouble by Batty’s shot from the edge of the box in the 75th minute but with Fleetwood continuing to look the better team and the more likely scorers of the game’s third goal.

In the 81st minute, Skuse was replaced by Bishop, Fleetwood having swapped Rossiter for Harrison Biggins a couple of minutes earlier and Batty having been booked for kicking the ball away.

On 82 Biggins hit a shot into Holy’s arms from distance, before the home side replaced Sam Finley with Josh Morris.

Judge shot not too far wide from distance in the 89th minute, then as the game moved into five additional minutes, Fleetwood’s second goalscorer Garner made way for Harvey Saunders.

Moments before the whistle, Dozzell forced Cairns into a save with a strike from distance and Nsiala’s header from the resultant corner was saved but a goal would have flattered Town.

A lacklustre evening virtually from start to finish from the Blues, who never looked like they would get anything out of the match. They were poor in possession until the latter stages when the game was already lost, created little and allowed the home side enough chances to have won very comfortably.

The home side always looked in control, deserved their win and really ought to have scored more than twice.

After the positivity following his first win against Plymouth on Saturday, another display which will give new boss Cook plenty to ponder.

The Blues, now a place and two points behind sixth-placed Charlton but with two games in hand on the Addicks, are next in action at Portsmouth on Saturday with another away game following seven days later at Wigan.

Fleetwood: Cairns, Andrew, Connolly (c), Burns, Rossiter (Biggins 79), Vassell, Finley (J Morris 85), Batty, Garner (Saunders 90), Holgate, Hill. Unused: Coleman, Duffy, Rydel, S Morris.

Town: Holy, Chambers (c), Nsiala, Wilson, Kenlock (Ward 67), Dozzell, Skuse (Bishop 81), Edwards (Harrop 46), Parrott (Lankester 67), Judge, Jackson (Drinan 67). Unused: Cornell, Bennetts. Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey).

Photo: Pagepix

Saxonblue74 added 22:09 - Mar 16 Not one single player deserves to pull on the shirt after that, not one. First time this season I've actually been angered by our performance. For me Drinan sums up the whole shambles, there is no ITFC team in history that he would come close to kicking a ball for yet he comes on for our "star" striker Jackson. While we're on the subject, Jacksons pace? Has anyone ever seen it? I've lost count of how many ifollow matches I have watched recently but no more. The players clearly do not care.....why should I? Please Mr Johnson open our Golf courses so I no longer have to resort to this for"entertainment"!

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planetblue_2011 added 22:09 - Mar 16 That was a diabolical performance from us tonight probably the worst I have ever seen. If you are earning 5000+ a game & u put that shirt on surely u can play a lot better football than that, u might aswell give me 5000 a game I can do that no problem. No desire, energy, commitment & no effort, just a load of useless individuals. The only player I would play against Pompey is Dozzell the rest can say good bye to the club as far as I'm concerned. Feel so sorry for Cook he's been so up beat, gets us back in top 6 & this is how they repay him!!! Lamberts players yes any worse than Lamberts performances No, it's the players they don't want to play for the club or any manager we have. Cook needs to rebuild this club, I truly believe he is the man to save us but not with this heap of 💩

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papashango87 added 22:10 - Mar 16 Why are you just blaming Evans?? He kept the club afloat, invested heavily in managers and players which has inevitably died off as its unsustainable if you actually want a club to continue to exist. Keane, McCarthy, Jewell, Hurst, Lambert, Cook all experienced all with promotions under their belt and all welcomed by the fans as good choices. Tonight we were tactically woeful. We were on the up very slightly after getting some good results against Hull and Doncaster, we now look more clueless than ever. One positive has been Judges form, playing through the middle where he likes to be. So what do you do? Play him wide, genius! Just to help him out later in the game put Ward behind him just so they can both get done for pace. Edwards injured at half time, Lankaster must be gagging to get on... nah let's stick Harrop there that's a master stroke. He doesn't play wide but that'll just confuse the opposition. Losing and need a goal, let's sub both the strikers off as their necks must be tired from watching the ball being hoofed past them to the goalkeeper all game. Leave Skuse on though, I mean he's barely kicked a ball for half a year or more and spent most of the night tripping over it and miss kicking it but he can hold out until the last 10 minutes to allow Bishop, one of our more attacking players to come on. Chambers and Skuse at the heart of the team through the major demise of Ipswich town and most of you lap them up because they are loyal. Loyal because nobody else would want them. But yeah it's Evans fault we lost tonight of course. At least Phil can go to the press conference though hey, that's the main thing

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dirtydingusmagee added 22:10 - Mar 16 anybody STILL think these players are good enough, ?
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suffolkblueeye added 22:10 - Mar 16 Bucket of crap, no commitment or desire....Skuse ffs, clear out required
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TimmyH added 22:11 - Mar 16 I think Flynn Downes being injured will be a massive loss in the holding roll...lets face it Skuse, Dozzell, Bishop in fact anybody else isn't going to that job. As for subs changing the game it's just a load of the same ol' faces that haven't changed the face of any games we've played this season. The loanee's have made diddly squat impact either. Best off luck Mr Cook, you're going to need it!

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CheffyCooky added 22:12 - Mar 16 Fecking Fleetwood?! A mass clear out is required, there are far too many players too comfortable at the moment and not fit to wear the shirt
8

shakytown added 22:15 - Mar 16 Dont mind losing but in that way is just embarasing . The players should be ashamed to collect their pay.
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Beattiesballbag added 22:16 - Mar 16 None of the players are quick enough on the pitch or between the ears! Also when teams continualy play so badly I still say it's because there is no leadership on the pitch, could someone remind them they'e not on a training ground... PC is going to be busy in the summer, he can sell them all & not get enough for a decent player.
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bluesince76 added 22:17 - Mar 16 Unless we get new owners with ambition we are an average league 1 club can't see cook making much difference Evans needs to sell to put us out of our misery
8

Bluearmy_81 added 22:17 - Mar 16 All praise Lord Evans!! He keeps us all in existence!! 😀🙏🏻😀🙏🏻😳🤯🤦‍♂️🤮🤮
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Len_Brennan added 22:17 - Mar 16 Shocker, really demoralising performance.
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DerryfromBury added 22:17 - Mar 16 Absolute Sh*te. I'll say no more.
4

BeattiesBackPocket added 22:18 - Mar 16 @papashango The lack of any structure after 14 years IS evans fault! We had the 5th lowest wage budget in the last two seasons in the championship yet my season ticket renewal pack was on about a promotion pushes?? How come clubs smaller than us Brentford, Bournemouth, Norwich, Watford can all challenge higher up with no debt and without the anywhere near our owners worth it's because they're run better and have a structure so why on earth should we be thankful for where we are when clubs smaller do better?? I think cook will realise the players aren't anywhere near as good as they think. When Evans came in magilton in charge 8th placed finish our team was Sito, Cornago, Wright, Bruce, Walters, De Vos, Legwinski, Wilnis, Naylor, Garvan, Norris, Kuqi Now look deep down at our team I wouldn't have one of our current players in that team? Evans has stripped the club of any quality on the pitch and in the stands 6 managers and now a 7th not all these managers can be wrong so who's the common denominator?? Yes that's why I blame evans

9

SickParrot added 22:19 - Mar 16 Yet another embarrasing defeat where the opposition didn't need a goalkeeper. Paul Cook must be concerned about the limitations of the current players. As I've said before a massive clearout is required in the summer. PC may need to bring in 10 or more players whilst trimming the squad to a more manageable 30 or so. As we have over 50 pros that would necessitate getting rid of 30!! That's not going to happen in one window so we can only hope that a proper pre-season enables PC to get a lot more from what he's got.

6

Saxonblue74 added 22:19 - Mar 16 Get the lot of them in a room, lock the door and read all of these post match comments to them. Heartfelt from fans that care, then see if its fight or flight.
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BartonBluee added 22:25 - Mar 16 We've just been beaten by a team nicknamed “the cod army”. We have been well and truly battered... 🐟🐟🐟 I'll get my coat.
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Northstandveteran added 22:25 - Mar 16 Swindon and Rochdale who occupy the two bottom places of this league have scored more goals than us. And this is why any ideas of promotion can be forgotten.
16

dunkleberrydog added 22:25 - Mar 16 I have been looking forward to every Tuesday night this season. Imagine if we had won a game or two! Can we really be in 7th place. I just can't see how??
3

dirtydingusmagee added 22:26 - Mar 16 Cook should punish the team after that, not one player deserved to be paid . Drop the lot, put a team out from the kids,and make that shower watch . Disgrace to the club. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ,spare us the sob story ritual statement from a player this week,the supporters dont deserve to have that bleeted out at them . Get them slogging on the training ground. they are toooo soft. Seems most only exercise with their wrist . WASTERS .

4

papashango87 added 22:27 - Mar 16 Beatties back pocket, who would you rather then??? This consortium backed by a pension fund. Do you think they actually give a toss the state of the club. They want a quick turn around to make money, if it goes wrong they won't hang about and make a loss they will just jump ship. I haven't said he's not made any errors, maybe he should have just kept Magilton. I bet you still welcomed Keane in. Like I said wage budgets inevitably would drop off, clubs cost more to run that just players wages you do realise that right? He's spending a bit more than what you do on a season ticket. Maybe you would rather we just didn't have a club instead

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dunkleberrydog added 22:29 - Mar 16 Bartonbluee, are you fishing for compliments?
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Norwichbeater added 22:29 - Mar 16 Cook said if we don't get in play offs it would be because we weren't good enough, but he guaranteed that his team would give everything.... desire passion commitment effort. Unfortunately this team hasn't shown any of these. The exact opposite actually.
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Umros added 22:29 - Mar 16 So this is our level - Fleetwood, the new low was last season 0-1 to this lot, but just looking at the result in the name alongside of our once great club is embarrassing, let along the result. The manor of the result is worrying, just a nothing performance. Cook now can see the task, let's just see this season out whatever it's outcome and then get that Axe out Paul and starting cutting the pre-Madonna dross. Trouble is where to start !

4

dunkleberrydog added 22:32 - Mar 16 DDmagee, we used to have a trainer at Ipswich called Tyrell (under McGarry). He was exArmy and I think he may have agreed with you...
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