Manager Kieran McKenna’s unbeaten home record with the Blues came to an end as under par Town were beaten 1-0 by Cambridge United. Dominic Thompson’s own goal in the 56th minute won the points for the U’s, although the Blues, whose play-off push now looks over, had a late goal disallowed for offside.

Tom Carroll came into the centre of midfield alongside skipper Sam Morsy with Tyreeq Bakinson dropping to the bench.

Conor Chaplin took over from Sone Aluko as one of the number 10s with the Nigerian international also among the subs, as was Idris El Mizouni.

Cambridge were unchanged from the team which beat AFC Wimbledon 1-0 last week with former Blue Paul Digby captaining, while Jack Lankester and former Norwich City forward Wes Hoolahan were on the bench.

After the two teams had taken a knee to applause, the Blues struck the first shot of the game in the second minute. After Wes Burns had made the most of a Cambridge slip, Chaplin played the ball back to Bersant Celina on the edge of the area but the Kosovan international’s effort failed to test Dimitar Mitov.

Two minutes later, with Town starting sloppily, Sam Smith curled a shot through to Christian Walton, registering an early shot on target, something Plymouth were unable to do in the entire 90 minutes last week.

The Blues continued their scrappy start with too many passes going astray and in the 16th minute Cambridge thought they’d gone ahead when Joe Ironside shot into the roof of the net from close range from Harvey Knibbs's flick from a right-wing Smith cross but from an offside position.

Three minutes later, the U’s won a free-kick in a dangerous position on the right after Cameron Burgess had fouled George Williams with Cambridge claiming in vain the offence was inside the area.

James Brophy played the ball to the unmarked Adam May on the edge of the box and his goalbound shot was blocked by Luke Woolfenden.

From the resultant corner Cambridge went close again, Walton reacting superbly to tip Williams’s close range header over the bar when it looked like the visitors were certain to go in front.

And Town couldn’t have complained if they had been behind with the U’s on top with the Blues having struggled to get going. However as the game passed the 25-minute mark Town began to take control and dominate possession in the manner which has become familiar since Kieran McKenna took charge.

On 31 Burgess wasn’t far away from scoring his first Town goal when a Chaplin cross from the left following a corner whipped across the area but just too far in front of him as the former Australia U23 international flung his head towards it.

A minute later, Celina headed into the ground straight at Mitov from a Chaplin cross from the right.

Town chances were starting to come regularly and in the 35th minute Morsy hit a snapshot from just inside the area which Mitov saved down to his left.

At the other end, Woolfenden used his strength to hold off Ironside and win the ball with the Cambridge striker breaking in on goal.

The game briefly boiled over in the 38th minute after a clash between Thompson and Williams. James Norwood shoved Williams, then Smith got involved and swung an arm towards the Town striker before retreating towards his team’s bench as referee Craig Hicks sought to restore order.

Norwood was booked and eventually Smith was called over and was also shown a yellow card and was somewhat fortunate that his involvement wasn’t considered more serious.

As the half moved into its penultimate minute, Norwood played a clever pass down the left and Chaplin struck a deflected effort through to Mitov.

Walton superbly caught a corner under pressure before Norwood blocked off Harrison Dunk right in front of the dugouts and was lucky not to be shown a second yellow card.

The scoreline remained level at the break with Cambridge having given the Blues a far tougher game that Plymouth a week ago and other sides nearer to the top of the division.

Town started uncharacteristically slowly with too many passes failing to find blue shirts and they couldn’t have complained had the U’s gone in front via their disallowed goal.

However, the Blues began to get their passing going in the final 20 minutes and created one or two decent chances but with the visitors defending resolutely and in numbers when out of possession.

Cambridge started the second half on the front foot and two minutes after the restart Walton was forced into another save, pushing Lloyd Jones’s header out for a corner to his right.

Town almost went in front in the 49th minute when Thompson found Chaplin inside the area on the left and his cross-shot flew across the area just too far in front of Norwood’s slide.

The Blues were taking charge and on 51 Burns struck a low 30-yard effort which flew not far wide of Mitov’s left post.

Town continued to see most of the ball and in the 54th minute Celina dug out a shot from not far outside the box which failed to trouble Mitov.

But two minutes later, the visitors went in front. Woolfenden fouled Knibbs just outside the area on the left, May sent in a free-kick which was touched on its way over and Thompson inadvertently bundled the ball into the net as he sought to stop Ironside reaching it. The goal was only the second conceded at Portman Road under McKenna.

Town set about looking for an equaliser, Celina finding Norwood on the left of the area from where the ex-Forest Green man looped towards the far corner, however, Mitov palmed it away.

On 64 the Blues made a double change with Aluko and Macauley Bonne replacing Carroll and Chaplin. Bonne joined Norwood up front with Aluko behind them and Celina and Morsy deeper roles.

Four minutes later, Woolfenden found Norwood on the left of the area from where the striker hit a powerful low shot which Mitov did well to block and the loose ball was cleared.

In the 70th minute Bonne headed a Donacien cross from the right over before Mitov was jeered by the fans behind the goal as he took his time over his goal-kick, the visitors having taken their time over restarts since the opening minutes. Three minutes later, Matt Penney took over from Thompson.

Donacien was booked for a foul on Knibbs on the left and following the free-kick Ironside shot wide on the turn.

Town were continuing to look for the equaliser but were largely huffing and puffing against a Cambridge side now happy enough to sit back in their own half.

Morsy forced Mitov into a save in the 78th minute with a shot from just outside the area, the keeper uncomfortably bundling into the air before it was cleared.

Dunk was booked for a foul on Burns in the 81st minute, then May joined him for a pull on the same player three minutes later and Woolfenden was shown a yellow card for a foul on Knibbs as Cambridge broke having given the ball away.

Town weren’t particularly looking like finding a goal with Cambridge remaining steadfast as they protected their lead, while referee Hicks waved away a couple of penalty appeals after the ball appeared to strike U's arms.

As the game moved into five additional minutes, Town thought they’d scored the leveller. Norwood flicked on a corner from the left, Aluko bundled goalwards, Mitov saved and it was eventually forced over the line by Burgess. Referee Hicks initially appeared set to give it until his linesman flagged.

Bonne protested and was booked and after consultation with his assistant Hicks eventually confirmed that the goal wouldn’t stand.

Town were unable to work another opportunity and the end of manager McKenna’s unbeaten home record was confirmed by the referee’s whistle which was met by boos aimed towards the official for the disallowed goal.

Things boiled over again following the whistle, Bonne and Jubril Okendina clashing with Smith also involved.

Town, unbeaten in 11 before today, had been under par all afternoon, were sloppy from the start and never really got on top of their game. Cambridge defended solidly but also had as many chances as the Blues and will be delighted to have maintained their 100 per cent league record at Portman Road.

The defeat, allied with late winners for Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday, almost certainly ends Town’s hopes of making the play-offs, the gap now six points with five games to go and the four sides above them all having played a game fewer. The Blues are next in action at Shrewsbury next Saturday.

Town: Walton, Donacien, Woolfenden, Burgess, Burns, Carroll (Aluko 64), Morsy (c), Thompson (Penney 73), Chaplin (Bonne 64), Celina, Norwood. Unused: Hladky, Bakinson, El Mizouni, Pigott.

Cambridge: Mitov, Williams, Digby (c), Jones, Brophy (Sherring 90), Ironside, Smith, Dunk, Okedina, May, Knibbs. Unused: Mannion, Iredale, Hoolahan, Tolaj, Lankester, Worman. Referee: Craig Hicks (Surrey). Att: 26,515 (Cambridge: 2,009).

Photo: Matchday Images

blueboy1981 added 18:15 - Apr 2 masetheace - condoning a diabolical result at home, is a denial of reality, and helps no one. Such support, as again today deserves better. Don't expect others to be as satisfied as you - we are now a Club that supposedly means Business. Today's result does not fit into that Criteria for the Owners, Manager, and shouldn't with the Players either. Today's performance is s mark in the sand as to how far we still have to go - and that is some way !!!

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bluesman added 18:16 - Apr 2 Very surprised to see Carroll not Bakinson and he was poor. No press. Leaves Morsy too much to do. Donacian and Burgess not great today. Norwood not in the game up front. Chaplin didn't do enough and Celina poor too. Worst I've seen Town under mcK. But even so we still made chances and could have had something out of it. Morsy worked socks off
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blues1 added 18:26 - Apr 2 Blue56. Ur slagging off Penney when he was only on the pitch for the last 20 mins or so? Really? Get a grip. He did ok, you have to remember, that's his 1st football for about 3 months now. No1 had a great game today, they were all a bit off it. The way some of our fans scapegoat certain players is pathetic tho. Yes, Carroll put a few passes astray today, and he got slated for them. Celina does same thing, and fans are saying unlucky. Definitely missed bakinson in there today, as he allows morsey to get forwards more.

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BlueRuin69 added 18:28 - Apr 2 One defeat in 12 and out come the know it alls. Coyb
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EssexTractor added 18:33 - Apr 2 To be fair Cambridge management did a better job than on us than ours did on them They looked assured from minute one and their crowd less than 10% of the total were actually louder . So sad that yet again we cannot win in front of the really highest attendances season. Credit to Walton who looked very good today but elsewhere difficult to give anyone more than 6/10. As usual though McKenna was calm in his after match comments on Radio Suffolk, what he is behind closed doors we do not know , but though the great majority of us believe eve in him , today for once his team selection was wrong, as many have said. He is learning about what he largely inherited and I have no doubt that next season by which time we hope he will have brought in some different playing staff his selections will be more trustworthy Today it was demonstrated that this playing squad is not good enough to establish itself in the Chanpionship. Disappointment tonight but not disheartened in the longer term

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multiplescoregasms added 18:35 - Apr 2 @Blue56 Sorry? Penney should never wear the blue of Ipswich again? Based on the 17 minutes he played today? Thompson certainly isn't the answer. Not saying Penney is world class, but he is not better/worse than Thompson as times. Clearly Carroll isn't the one to partner Morsey, but saying stuff like 'never wear the blue again', is a little bit over the top mate.

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Bluroo added 18:48 - Apr 2 Well at least we can put away those silly playoff calculators now! Put simply we've got the defence of Bayern and the attack of Basildon. There is a solid core but not enough responsibility, creativity or instinct. This season was over in October and we've paid for Cooks ineptitude but I'm really confident KMac will tinker with the squad over the summer and we'll come out of the blocks next season firing - and go up the PROPER way… COYB

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blues1 added 18:49 - Apr 2 Shropshirebluenago. Mckenna made it clear weeks ago that they have to manage Alukos game time. He dimple cannot start every game. Which is a shame, bxse as u say, he's prob the best attacking midfielder we have right now. Showed again today that Celina and Chaplin, tho both good players of course, aren't consistent enough.
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Bert added 18:53 - Apr 2 Oh dear. We just didn't get out of the blocks today against a very resolute Cambridge defence and a surprisingly decent attack. Hate to say it but Cambridge deserved their win. That said I am not going to slag off the team who have been brilliant since December. Play offs over but our future will be bright as long as we understand that to get out of this league we have to be a bit more physical and, of course, score goals. Today is not the day to start whingeing.

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RobsonWark added 18:55 - Apr 2 Thompson and Penny are not good enough for Ipswich Town first team. Conversation finished.
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Lathers added 18:57 - Apr 2 We should be given Championship or even Prem refs with crowds of 26,500. Not for the first time this season the officials were out of their depth today and failed to control slow play and make correct judgement calls. It didn't help that we were shiit today but something the EFL needs to look at for next season.
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SickParrot added 19:09 - Apr 2 It's always hard to accept a below par display and defeat but we need to look at the bigger picture. That's our first defeat in 12 games. That would have been unimaginable before McKenna took over. We have improved enormously under his management but even the very best teams suffer surprise defeats occasionally. We're not the finished article but we're not too far way from being a very good team. We have a top goalkeeper in Walton, 4 good centre backs, and Morsy who is a class act, plus the excellent Burns and 3 good number 10s. We just need another left back/wing back, a central midfielder to partner Morsy, a couple of goal scorers (including one who is good in the air) and perhaps a wide player. We must also obviously work on our set pieces. I trust Ashton and McKenna to sign the right players and improve our weaknesses for next season. Come on you Blues.

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hrj4 added 19:11 - Apr 2 Strange team collection today with Bakinson not involved after such a good performance along side Morsy last weekend some strange decisions today but let's move on.
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aw82 added 19:15 - Apr 2 In a match which we should be winning, it has to be said, Cambridge did their homework well. Used the clock well(like plenty of team this season) Put 2 on Burns, didn't get much luck at all. Nors, lucky to finish the match, let alone the half! Need to find the scoring touch in the final games, because Nors & Bonne ain't the answer I'm afraid. Frustrating way to see the play off light disappear like it has, but hey, whe KMc walked in the door in December, I'd have taken this all day long, the future looks great on and off the pitch. Oh and Tom Carroll, wow! How does he pull on a blue shirt I'll never know! COYB!

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Cakeman added 19:16 - Apr 2 As the saying goes……..a bad day at the office. An off day for quite a few that can happen and in all honesty we were never going to finish the season winning our last Six or Seven games. We could have done with Some more power in midfield to combat Cambridges though shall not get past us mentality. Sadly Sam Morsy was the only one who looked capable of providing that today. Cambridge defended well and almost played an advanced zonal marking system. There were very few spaces for us to play our usual fluent passing game. Much to look forward to next season though and I have every faith that Kieran knows what he needs to strengthen and I would imagine that must include some proven strikers and a couple on the left side of our midfield/ attacking area. Who he decides should partner Sam Morsy is key to success also.

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Texastom added 19:21 - Apr 2 Get rid of all the Strikers, Thompson and Penny. Brilliant crowd but always disappoint when Ipswich people turn out. McKenna knows what he's doing should be good next season. Cambridge did their homework and a job on us, simple. We didn't turn up.
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Nobbysnuts added 19:29 - Apr 2 Another pathetic performance. I'm afraid this defeat does fall at the feet of the manager....strange team selection. Playoffs definitely over now although they already were. Another season in this dire league. And I've heard morsy is off at the end of the season.
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ringwoodblue added 19:32 - Apr 2 Playoff dreams finally ended so the massive rebuild of the club on and off the pitch continues at pace. I feel disappointed about this season but optimistic for next as long as McKenna and Pert stay and they make some quality signings in the summer to add some proven goalscorers, more strength in midfield and a decent LB. 2023 will be our year!
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Linkboy13 added 19:43 - Apr 2 Must admit i was a bit downhearted when i saw the lineup. Even though Bakinson is a more defensive midfield player than Carroll he's more likely to create something as all Carroll's got to offer is a few neat and tidy passes too much of a luxury for me. Cambridge done their homework on us they pressed well up the pitch knowing we posed little threat up front and stiffulled our build up play. The usual numpty comments on here after a defeat. Did I miss something was Penney only on for seventeen and got the blame partly for our performance numpty. Penney was actually performing well under McKenna before he got injured. Thompson is no better and is easily out muscled in physical situations.

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bringonbrazil added 19:43 - Apr 2 Really gutted but lets use the rest of the season to try some youth and absolutely stop playing those who MUST leave in Summer-Norwood (pub player), Carroll (backpass after back pass), Bonne (not the consistency we need).
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Marinersnose added 19:44 - Apr 2 Cambridge deserved their victory. The won first and second balls and were physically stronger in possession. They were Alamo denied a penalty first half which would've been given with VAR . Team selection weakened them from lashed sttarting even with both Carrol and Chaplin totally ineffective and their inclusion also interfered with the shh of the team.Walton was the busy keeper with town failing to test the away keeper. Norwood came close to scoring but we are clearly a team without a quality striker. Bonne again woeful when introduced unable to keep the ball. Ironside played well for Cambs

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RobsonWark added 19:46 - Apr 2 Next seasons team need to be built around our 3 best players - Walton, Morsy and Edmundson. I would like to see Burgess partner Edmundson (I'm not convinced about Wolfenden - too casual on the ball and makes too many mistakes for my liking). Donacien at right back. We need a new left back. Evans, a great battler, should partner Morsy in the centre of midfield. Burns on the right.. He has great pace although he only has a right foot and his shooting is not great. We need a new left sided player. And 2 strikers that can score goals and play up front rather than out on the wing or battling for ball in the midfield. I love that we play the ball on the deck but we need to move the ball forward quicker because we allow the opposition too much time to get back behind the ball in my opinion. Lets think back to the Gillingham away game (which I watched on iplayer) and how we zipped the ball around on the deck and played some great one touch football. We need to play like that week in week out.

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blueboy1981 added 19:48 - Apr 2 This just HAD to be better today - fantastic turnout of Fans again, season now well and truly over, although the writing has in fairness, been on the Cards for weeks now, with the team week after week firing blanks - it just wan't going to happen, however optimistic some were. You just cannot pick up enough crucial points by not scoring goals, and just relying on not conceding. The Owners will be concerned because important revenue could now be lost if crowd numbers fall away, when big crowds could still have been expected and potentially more play off games to add. Cost of Fuel and everything else increased for Households this next week, it will be interesting to see how the crowds hold up. Back to the Drawing Board folks - like it, or not. I seem to remember we've been right here before ….. !!!! Disappointed ? - yes, I am. I've seen it all before too many times - but hope is Eternal. Dare we hope for better next season …. once again ???

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Umros added 19:59 - Apr 2 Just when we thought we had eradicated ‘cook like' performances one turns up. Again a non league type team parks the bus, disrupts the game, wastes time and gets a scrappy goal. Pretty embarrassing really, but hey ho, results like this against non league style teams in Morecambe, Cheltenham, Cambridge and Accrington and burton away will ultimately cost us this year. Hopefully next year this should and have to be 6 points to stand any chance. Out and out goal scorers required in summer.

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Linkboy13 added 20:02 - Apr 2 Wolfenden has been outstanding under McKenna and one defeat and people are bashing him on here. Expect McKenna to drop him next game then numpties. And by the way Burgess was at fault for Oxford's equaliser not that im knocking him he's done well in Edmundsons absence.
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