Ryan Fraser netted an 86th minute equaliser as the Blues drew 2-2 at home to Bristol City. Skipper Luke Chambers headed Town in front a minute after the break but quick-fire goals from Luke Freeman and Jonathan Kodjia gave the Robins the lead before Fraser’s late goal.

Prior to kick-off, Blues legends Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen were warmly applauded by the Portman Road faithful on their return to the club.

Having fielded an entirely different XI at Manchester United in midweek, Mick McCarthy made two changes from the team which drew 1-1 with Birmingham in the Blues’ previous Championship game a week ago yesterday.

Daryl Murphy and Ryan Fraser started with Brett Pitman and Larsen Touré dropping to the bench.

The visitors started on the front foot and would have gone in front in the fourth minute but for a superb instinctive Dean Gerken save.

Bristol City left wing-back Derrick Williams, who trained with the Blues Academy as a schoolboy, played the ball into skipper Aaron Wilbraham’s feet just inside the area.

The former Crystal Palace man back-heeled into the path of Jonathan Kodjia and on-time Bristol City keeper Gerken showed quick reactions to block the Ivorian’s powerful shot with his right hand.

The Robins went close again in the 10th minute when Luke Freeman’s corner from the right reached Nathan Baker at the back post but the on-loan Aston Villa couldn’t direct his header goalwards.

Murphy nodded Town’s first chance goalwards two minutes later from Jonas Knudsen’s cross but failed to trouble Bristol City keeper Frank Fielding.

The Robins threatened again a minute later, right wing-back Mark Little crossing and Kodjia turning a first-time effort just wide at the near post.

But Town gradually started to get on top and in the 14th minute Fraser - like his right-sided counterpart Ainsley Maitland-Niles operating in a very narrow role - crossed deep towards Murphy but sent the ball out for a goalkick when perhaps he had better options.

A minute later, Fraser crossed from the left but Freddie Sears glanced across the face and wide.

The Blues began to put the visitors under pressure and on 19 Knudsen saw a strike blocked, Town having kept the ball for a long spell around the edge of the box.

Town continued to press for the opening goal and in the 22nd minute following a corner Christophe Berra sent over a cross from the right but which was too close to Fielding.

Robins defender Aden Flint almost put the Blues in front on the half hour when he headed Fraser’s right-wing corner towards his own goal when under pressure.

Fortunately for the visitors keeper Fielding got across to his right to push the ball away and Smith was unable to get onto the rebound.

On 35 Fraser burst into the area at pace on the left and cut the ball across to Murphy, whose back-heeled effort was blocked. Two minutes later Marlon Pack was booked for a late tackle on Fraser.

Five minutes later, the visitors won a couple of corners, Berra doing well to head the second away under pressure.

Knudsen’s 44th minute long throw from the left beat the City defenders at the front post but bounced over Murphy and fortunately fell safely for the visitors. Booking

Town continued to press as the half moved into injury time, former Robin and boyhood Bristol City fan Cole Skuse seeing a shot blocked.

Moments later, Murphy was found on the right of the area and his shot deflected wide off Baker. Seconds before the whistle Berra headed a Fraser corner from the right over the bar.

Having started slowly - the Robins could have been in front but for Gerken’s save from Kodjia - the Blues gradually took control and were in charge for most of the half, however, without creating any clear-cut opportunities.

But it took only a minute of the second half for Town to claim the lead. The ball was played back to Knudsen following a long throw on the left, the Danish international whipped over a cross and skipper Luke Chambers headed home his first goal of the season off Flint as he tried in vain to clear the ball off the line.

Freeman smashed well wide for the Robins then on 52 Murphy wasn’t far away from his first of the season when hit a powerful strike just past Fielding’s right post.

The Blues lead would only last for another minute with the visitors getting back on terms in somewhat fortunate circumstances.

Freeman brought the ball into the area unchallenged before hitting a shot which looked easy for Gerken until it struck Tommy Smith’s heel, beat the wrong-footed keeper and trickled over the line.

And three minutes later the visitors were in front. Kodija skipped away from Berra, who was caught on his heels, as he received a pass from Wilbraham the left, broke into the area and beat Gerken with covering defender Knudsen unable to get back.

The Blues reacted well to the double blow, however, and on 59 Sears half-volleyed Knudsen’s long throw from the left just over.

Two minutes later, Maitland-Niles crossed from the right and Fraser headed straight at Fielding. A foot or so either side of the keeper and the Blues would have been on terms.

On 64 Fraser’s cross from the left deflected off defender Luke Ayling’s head and Fielding was forced to tip over with the looping ball set to dip under his bar. From the corner, a Maitland-Niles strike deflected wide. David McGoldrick replaced Murphy on 67.

Williams made an important header on 71, nodding Maitland-Niles’s cross from the left over ahead of McGoldrick. That was the on-loan Arsenal man’s last involvement, one-time Robin Brett Pitman replaced him moments later.

As the game moved into its final quarter of an hour the Blues were camped in the Bristol City half but without being able to carve out many opportunities. And when they did create a chance the visitors’ backline remained resolute. On 76 McGoldrick broke into the area on the right but saw his shot blocked.

Jonny Parr replaced goalscorer Chambers for the final six scheduled minutes, the Town skipper having received treatment on the pitch shortly beforehand.

With four minutes left on the clock, the Blues got back on terms. Jonathan Douglas played the ball down the right to Pitman, who laid it back to Sears. The former Colchester man crossed first time and Fraser slammed home from close range.

Town went looking for the winner and in the 89th minute Fraser curled a strike fro distance into Fielding’s arms.

In injury time Baker rose highest to meet Freeman’s right-wing corner but was unable to direct towards goal.

Deep in injury time, McGoldrick’s 25-yard freekick was blocked but Sears returned the ball to the Blues number 10. The Irish international curled a shot towards goal and Pitman nodded just past the post.

Seconds before the final whistle, Pitman nodded down Knudsen’s ball down the left and Fraser lost his footing as he hit a shot deep into the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

While the visitors - who drop to the bottom of the table with Rotherham beating Birmingham - will believe they deserved the point, Town will feel it was a game they should have won having had so much of the ball and after going ahead straight after the break.

The first Bristol City goal owed much to the unfortunate deflection, although Freeman was given too much time, while the Blues backline will be more disappointed with the second.

Having gone behind, Town dominated but huffed and puffed and had created few significant chances against a resolute Robins backline until Fraser’s well-worked equaliser.

The Blues, who have now won just once in their last six games in all competitions and are without a home victory in three matches, have dropped to seventh and next face Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park next Saturday.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c) (Parr 84), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Maitland-Niles (Pitman 71), Fraser, Sears, Murphy (McGoldrick 67). Subs: Bialkowski, Parr, Bru, Touré.

Bristol City: Fielding, Little, Ayling, Flint, Baker, Williams, Bryan, Pack, Freeman, Wilbraham (c), Kodjia (Burns 90). Subs: O'Leary, Moore, Reid, Robinson, Agard. Referee: Peter Bankes (Liverpool). Att: 20,347 (Bristol City: 487).

Photo: Action Images

Surco72 added 23:08 - Sep 26 PJH. . The ultimate cop out answer when defending a managers poor decisions . All managers make bad decisions and get stuck in bad ruts Keane and Jewell were proven managers at this level they still f$#$d us up badly and got it wrong . The point you make actually highlights how bad MM has been performing as we are not managers with years of experience or defenders who have played high level or on massive wages but we can see that the defence he picks from his assembled squad week in week out are not good enough , even my wife who doesn't like football and comes once a month for the kids can see it !!!

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Minneapolis_ITFC added 23:16 - Sep 26 So McCarthy alters virtually the entire squad for (a meaningless trivial cup game etc etc) , all in line for readiness with league endeavors - only to very nearly lose (at home) to the lowest placed side in the division (?) Can someone explain what that was all about / what is the deal here ? Talk about apathy with cup games, you could very nearly extend that to the league today. Of course, we're not allowed to say a bad word about the manager as some may not like it or take offense, but tell you know, this could all have a very predictable finish by end of season. Here's a few things you could ask yourself right now : # Are we really promotion material this season ? - No, I believe once again inconsistency will be the eventual downfall. # Even if we reach the play-offs once again can we improve on before i.e. previous failures at this stage ? - No. Would like to be proved wrong, but McCarthy leaves me skeptical on the biggest of occasions. # Is McCarthy really the name to bring us back to the EPL ? - Sure he's done well, and been some kind of savior in many peoples eyes but I've been frustrated on so many occasions in the past year or two with MM's leadership and today, - and midweek - once again he did himself no favors. Bottom line, if you're going to throw a game (or the chance to win a trophy) for the benefit for a league match, then at least make sure you win the freaking match - and not open yourself to ridicule and embarassment. Today has been poor, like or don't like it, it's been a very disappointing last few days.

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Bert added 23:17 - Sep 26 So you lot know how to manage a team? You see the players every day do you ? Come on, get real, MM would not play who he does unless he has a good reason. He will make the changes when he has to not because of the angry reactions of people in this post, many of whom were not even at the game. Moan, express disappointment and have a view but we are 7th and the best is yet to come when the blend of the team is right and a couple of players get their form back.

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Tractorboy1985 added 00:09 - Sep 27 Skuse one of your best signings hey mick?? Well he doesn't play well with Douglas so sacrifice one for BRU.. A creative player who can pick a pass and open up a defence!! I think u ave been great for us but recently your tactics and team selection have been utter w***! Sort it before it's too late!!
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itfcsince1974 added 00:21 - Sep 27 Sorry Jas0999 didn't mean to down vote you. Fingers too big and screen too small
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essexboy added 06:49 - Sep 27 Billblue,read it again and perhaps you just might understand where I'm coming from.Your reply was pointless.!
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tallguy6767 added 08:33 - Sep 27 Wonder what Frans and Arnie made of Micks tactics. Bet they were cringing! .A world away from the style they used to play
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jas0999 added 08:34 - Sep 27 Itfcsince1974 - noted. Out of spite I down voted you back ... !!!! Just my way of a little bit of fun! Seriously, no probs!
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:37 - Sep 27 VERY POOR RESULT,Certainly expected a win, even thought we may thump City.Murph is disappointing a lot of people,but if its a confidence thing getting on his back wont help.I think he will still get a good few goals this season, he is probably not 100% fit yet. Defence has been less than convincing recently and sooner Gerken is rested the better. We have a strong squad but we need to sharpen up and fight for wins soon or we will be playing catch up again this season .

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PJH added 08:40 - Sep 27 Surco72-I agree that MM'S team selection is often not the one that I would make-I would always have Bart in goal for a start-but some posters on here seem to think that he picks a team just to annoy them. Now that we have more depth in our squad than we have had for quite some time there are certainly a number of options for making changes but the only person that will decide if and when to make the changes is MM.Team selection will always be a matter of opinion but there is only one opinion that matters-whether he is right or wrong in any particular choice.

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Bluewelshman added 08:48 - Sep 27 Laboured and tired performance, it appears that the team rested was still resting. The only two town players working hard where the two that we don't own, Fraser and Ainsley where always looking to attack, but Murphy and Sears were so disjointed there was no one up front to supply. Murphy is not the same player that scored 27 goals last season, he did not seem to be bothered at all, at least when McGoldrick came on we had a bit more invention up front. I think Mick will have to take a good look at the team and pick players with his head rather than on loyalty alone. COYB

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Kesblue66 added 09:09 - Sep 27 Am i the only person who thinks Chambers is a waste of space at rb?.Another season of hope gone.I said in close season we should have sold Murphy for 4mill.or whatever,it was a one off last season.McCarthey is to loyal to players,should make more changes.
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martin587 added 09:22 - Sep 27 Bill blue,before you make stupid comments,you really need to open your eyes and read the posts first.Are YOU a real town supporter.Some of your posts are unreal.! I think your a green and yellow boy.👍
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neillrumsey added 10:50 - Sep 27 Im sure players are more professional, but maybe this was the players response to being dropped for what may have been the biggest game of their careers and their only chance to play @ Old Trafford.... I wouldn't have been happy with this decision.. just a thought
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OriginalMarkyP added 11:53 - Sep 27 Many of the comments on here are fair enough. But saying Murphy had a 'fluke season'. Please. You can't fluke over 46 games. Utter rubbish to say so. He's not found his form yet this season but don't diminish what he achieved last season.
2

blueboy1981 added 12:13 - Sep 27 Murphy really wanted a move to Middlesboro' - he wanted, and expected, investment / team strengthening here at Portman Road in order to give us a real chance of being succesful, if he stayed. After all, this would probably have been his last, and best chance, of being part of a Championship winning side - and last move. It didn't / hasn't happened here to date - not surprised, to be honest, because here with McCarthy he cannot be certain of ever being played in a settled / best position / partnership for any length of time. Give the guy credit where due - he himself has spent much time playing 'out of position' during his time here - a trait all to familiar with Mr McCarthy's style of tactics/ management unfortunately.

1

2_Goal added 12:26 - Sep 27 Didn't see the game. But - based on the season so far - looks like 90% of the comments on here are saying the same thing: -Bart better than gerks -chambers no good at right back -bring Bru in for Douglas -play Sears down the Middle -play mcgoldrick and give Murphy a rest Like many I feel the squad that MM has assembled is well capable of promotion. But some changes are needed. Let's hope the above changes are made. Will be a huge shame if we stuff this season up. Best chance in over a decade. It Stay positive lads: it can still happen.

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jas0999 added 12:47 - Sep 27 Blueboy1981 - yes, I believe you are right. Although settled in the area, believe Middlesboro were prepared to offer Murphy an excellent deal. Heard he felt they were better prepared and equipped for a realistic promotion challenge thanks to some proper investment, investment which many Championship sides decided to do. We of course yet again ended up with primarily loans and freebies; some decent, some not so good. No doubt the club will soon start spinning that the Mings money was spent on wages. They will conveniently ignore the savings on players departing! More than we signed in actual fact.

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runningout added 12:59 - Sep 27 not just us... but players OVER celebrating at 1 and even 2 nil is a very premature.. final whistle joys only for me...
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battyblue added 13:03 - Sep 27 Mick McCarthy will never change the only way is to change the manager imo But with who at this stage of the season.
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warktheline added 13:22 - Sep 27 @ blue feast , what a stat! Food for thought that pal, as mentioned in someone's previous post, has McCarthy hit a rut, it happens people. I couldn't imagine the superiors dismissing McCarthy presently, but such stats surely would have them taking a closer look. Obviously McCarthy's previous, buys time, but not forever. Someone needs to wake up and smell the coffee, or maybe somebody will in time tell him to FOXTROT OSCAR!!!!

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billywizz added 14:06 - Sep 27 Change of subject but why oh why do town water the hell out of the pitch before the game and during halftime when our players (Fraser, Sears, Bera) just naming a few cannot stay on there feet due to slipping over, this happened numerous times yesterday in dangerous areas and also good positions for us which had no outcome only the player laying on the ground.
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oldegold added 14:14 - Sep 27 I thought we were quite poor today against the team that now lies bottom and almost sneaked a win. Disproves MM's theory that he was resting the main 11 for our "priority" i.e The Championship. Once again he refuses to play an attacking game and we rely on too much aimless soccer with no shape and no attacking verve. We will not get promoted if we don't play in an offensive style, as i've been saying for almost three years and that is the teams which go for flair and style are inevitably the ones that get promoted. MM relies too much on boring, no-shape, bland tactical strategies that will not get us promoted...will he understand that ? We have some flair players who could make the difference but he is irremovable. Sorry to say but look at Norwich...they attacked West Ham from the start in the Premiership ..light years ahead not only in the football played but organization-wise. We need to step it up. Clubs like Stoke City, WBA ,Sunderland,Crystal Palace, Leicester City are doing what we should be doing but we have stood still.. Does MM want promotion or what ? The game against Man Utd was a case in point of a stifled, tactically-limited manager who prioritizes games..and then it still goes awry. Come on Town..we really have to step it up..

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geminimustang added 16:45 - Sep 27 I would argue that Ipswich are joint 3rd in the league,only showing as 7th due to goal difference.Is that not a good place to be?short memories?relegation fears a thing of the past?great management team,not always getting everything right?goal difference can dramatically change for all the teams in joint 3rd,exciting times methinks!!
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bigjohno added 17:49 - Sep 27 Oh dear what makes me fed up is watching players not really bothering to play. We had 2 great players there today who could run rings round are team who apart from Fraser showed no commitment or passion. But knowing mm it will be the same again next week
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