George Burley lamented bad marking on Derby's goal after Saturday's defeat to the Rams and felt that his side would have gone on to win the game had they taken a number of second half chances.

The under pressure Town boss said: "We conceded a goal because of bad marking. It came just before the interval just like Stoke's last Sunday. In the second half we had three very good chances, but could not take them.

"Derby played three at the back and it was very difficult to get behind them. We have no excuses and should have done better.

"I thought our fans were great, but at the end of the day I am responsible for results.

"Over the years the team has enjoyed tremendous success. At the moment it is not going so well, but we must keep battling away.

"If we had scored it would have given everyone a lift and I think we would have gone on to win."

Derby manager John Gregory still expects Town to be near the top of the division come May despite his team's victory, although he was surprised that Town played in such a direct manner against his side: "I have been trying to play a 4-4-2 formation and not revert back to three central defenders which has its pluses, but also its faults.

"If you don't quite get the balance right it looks very defensive.

"Horacio [Carbonari] looked far fitter now than he has done for a long, long time.

"After the disappointment against Preston last weekend I thought I had to freshen things up. I felt he was the ideal candidate to play at the heart of the defence.

"He knows where to stand and has the knack of scoring the odd goal.

"I was surprised at the amount of long balls Ipswich played. It amazed me, but it suited us with three central defenders.

"If Ipswich play their passing game in the manner they can play, I expect them to be up in the top six by the end of the season."

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