Town manager Joe Royle says that although it will be difficult he has not given up on his side reaching the play-offs.

Royle was less than impressed with his side's display in the first 45 minutes: "We were a bit flat in the first half and our passing was here there and everywhere.

"But we couldn't get it into the box and we need to mix it at times and be a bit more direct. I thought Naylor was outstanding and he could have nicked it at the end.

"We are suffering from a lot of injuries at present and we are down to the academy boys. But we are not going to give up reaching the play-offs. It will be hard but we knew that when the season started."

Palace boss Trevor Francis is equally determined to get his side into the play-off places: "There are 11 games to go and we are not going to give up.

"We don't have to win all 11 but it would be nice. There are a lot of teams in a more favourable position than Crystal Palace and there are a lot of vital home games coming up so I am sure there will be a few surprises between now and the end of the season.

"Both teams needed a win tonight and it was evident in the attacking play from both sides. I was pleased the way we played in the first half although I thought we gave the away side plenty of possession.

"We saw in the second half that Ipswich have some talented players and showed what a good side they are. And when they put Pablo Couñago on it forced more pressure on us. Even in our poorer moments of the game we still tried to be positive. But there are times in the game when you have to defend and need to be more confident on the ball.

"All too often we treated the ball like a hot potato rather than pass the ball around. Ipswich taught us a lesson as they passed and they passed and they passed."

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