Forward Conor Chaplin felt Town’s draw at Oxford was a “real sickener”, the Blues having dropped two vital points in the fifth minute of extra-time at the Kassam Stadium.

The draw leaves Ipswich six points adrift of the play-offs with seven games left of their League One season.

The game looked to be finishing as planned in an impressive second half with Bersant Celina’s 70th minute goal, in which Chaplin made a sharp pass in the build-up, having given the Blues a deserved lead.

However, Town’s recently impenetrable defence couldn’t hold out for the win, despite there having been few signs of an Oxford equaliser going into the final moments.

“A real sickener,” Chaplin said when asked about the result. “I don’t think there’s another way to describe it. I thought the second half was brilliant, fantastic.

“I just think we stepped up our intensity, we were more aggressive, more on the front foot and I think that told as well.

“I thought the conditions played a part today in both halves and I think both teams struggled playing against the wind.

“I thought they were better first half and we were a lot better in the second half, so absolutely gutted.

“I do think the conditions played a part. I don’t know what it was like in the stands, but it was really windy on the pitch and obviously it is open here, so it was really windy. I think you could tell by the goalkicks and things like that.

“I don’t think we have [conceded from a set piece] for 10 or 12 games. I think we’ve been brilliant, especially in that area at set pieces. I can’t remember the last time we conceded a set piece. It was a great header, he’s got up higher than everyone else, but we’re usually so good in those moments, which makes it even harder to take.

“I don’t know the other results because I haven’t seen them, but yeah, it would have been [a big result]. Especially coming here, they are obviously going well and I thought we would have been full value for our win as well.

“The fans deserved it, the fans were brilliant. I thought we did enough to send them on their way happy, but obviously, it wasn’t to be.”

Despite the disappointment following the final whistle, there are plenty of signs that Town are a team moving in the right direction.

Like other players in previous weeks, Chaplin attributes the upturn in form to the arrival of manager Kieran McKenna and even though results haven’t gone their way every time, what's worked on in training is evident on a matchday.

“I think we’ve been really, really consistent as individuals and as a team we’ve been consistent since the boss has come in really. I think any stat tells you that,” Chaplin continued.

“Obviously, we thought our play-off hopes were gone completely and the boss has been amazing for that.

“I definitely feel like since the boss has come in, it’s taken us up a new level completely and everyone has really bought into it around the club, staff, players and fans. I think everyone can see we’re moving in the right direction, for sure.”

Chaplin, 25, who joined the Blues from Barnsley in the summer, felt the goal exemplified the way Town are playing under McKenna.

“I don’t think there is a better example of the way we played, how slick we can be through the pitch, how quick we can get through the pitch and the combinations. I think that sums it up perfectly,” he added.

“That goal probably summed up everything that is good about us. They are the types of patterns we work on day in and day out, so for that to come off as cleanly as that on game day is obviously pleasing.

“Obviously the coaching staff will be happy with that one and we’ll all be happy with that one because of the way we practise and the way we train. Obviously, with conceding, it doesn’t feel like it at the moment.”

Chaplin and Celina have worked together well as number 10s in McKenna’s system with the Kosovo international having said earlier this week that he’d like to be at Town long-term, and Chaplin hopes their partnership will continue next season.

When asked if the pair are developing an understanding, Chaplin said: “I think we’ve been consistent with it in terms of the shape and in terms of the patterns. And that’s why it helps when you’re consistent in terms of the way you train because it’s a lot easier on a Saturday.

“[I’d like him to stay] 100 per cent. He’s a fantastic player, a brilliant player, the ability he has for this level is unquestionable. He’s a joy to play with at times, really, really good, so we’ll see and all wish the same things.”

Photo: Pagepix

Stato added 21:09 - Mar 19 Chaplin & Celina are a shoe in for first match next season
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Suffolkboy added 21:23 - Mar 19 Mr C you need to re- evaluate and re- assess ; no good reflecting to think enough had been done ,no good at all ! One goal is simply not enough ; keep asking of yourself, of your team mates , why you cannot manage to capitalise on fine field play , and put the round thing in the netting thing belonging to the opposition ? – or at least on not enough occasions to separate your side successfully from the others . It's down to you to rid our game of disappointments , and take us all with you on a ride to higher echelons ! Come on , we are all willing you on !

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Edmundo added 09:00 - Mar 20 2 goals and we are home and dry. Feels like we are overplaying at times, which looks lovely, but the odd shot on sight, especially at 1-0, please.
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Linkboy13 added 10:47 - Mar 20 Chaplins a player who seems to divide opinions on here. I must be one of the few fans who hasn't got a favourite player and says it as it is. In my opinion Chaplin is a very important member of the squad but will probably never be a regular in the team but is a great impact player. The problem with him is his distribution he tends to give the ball away on occasions but can make things happen when he's on the pitch. A player i would definitely keep for next season. But with fans players are either good or bad there's no inbetween and that's where Chaplin is.

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Robert_Garrett added 10:55 - Mar 20 I think the spectre with the scythe looming at the corner showed the willingness to defend set pieces but hasnt ripened yet?
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Ebantiass added 11:12 - Mar 20 I like Chaplin and believe he brings a lot to the team. Deeply disappointing to throw the points away in the dying seconds but these games would have been a defeat under Cook. The fact that we are disappointed shows just how far we have come in a relatively short period.
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Saxonblue74 added 16:05 - Mar 20 We wouldn't have conceded that goal with Edmundson on the pitch.
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mathiemagic added 13:18 - Mar 21 Being "The Better Side" makes these results even harder to take. 1-0 is never enough in any League in football. Sadly if we cannot kill games off then the dissapointments will continue. I expect however that McKenna will have this cracked by kick-off next season. Everything else he seems to have touched so far has improvement written all over it, so see no reason why he wont be able to change this part of the teams game when next season comes.

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