Mohamed Diamé’s goal three minutes after the restart was enough to see leaders Hull City to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. Town went closest to scoring before the break when Daryl Murphy hit the post, but having gone in front the Tigers dominated the second half.

Mick McCarthy made three changes with top scorer Brett Pitman coming in up front and Jonathan Douglas and Luke Hyam returning to the central midfield roles in the anticipated 4-4-2 formation.

Douglas was back after a three-match ban and Hyam from a calf injury which had sidelined him for the last two games.

Kevin Bru and Kevin Foley both dropped to the bench, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles wasn’t in the 18.

Hull made nine changes from the team which drew 0-0 at Arsenal in the FA Cup on Saturday with only Curtis Davies and David Meyler keeping their places.

Freddie Sears created the game’s first excitement in the sixth minute when he broke past Andrew Robertson down the Town right but his cross was too deep for strike pair Pitman and Murphy.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 10th minute when Tommy Smith got the ball caught under his feet and lost possession to Abel Hernández not far outside the area on the left.

The New Zealand international hauled the Uruguayan down as he looked to break into the box with only Bartosz Bialkowski to beat and was perhaps fortunate not to see a yellow card.

Robert Snodgrass took the freekick and sent it curling away from Bialkowski to his left, but the on-form Polish keeper got across to superbly tip it past the post.

Hull had most of the ball in the opening 20 minutes but with the freekick their only chance, while the Blues occasionally threatened to create an opening on the break.

On 25 Hernández shot over, then Smith did superbly to block a Diamé effort from the left of the area after he had appeared to have got away from the Town central defender.

A minute later, the Blues claimed a penalty when Pitman looked to be shoved as a Sears cross came over from the left. The ball was bundled out of play and from Pringle’s corner Berra’s header was stabbed behind.

Town were by now in charge and on 27 Murphy saw a shot deflect wide, Hull subsequently making heavy weather of clearing the danger after the resultant corner.

In the 37th minute, the Blues went within a whisker of going in front. Pringle, the man on all Town’s set pieces, whipped in a near post freekick from the left, which skipper Luke Chambers headed against a defender.

The loose ball fell to Murphy, who lashed a shot which struck the inside of the post and flashed across the goalmouth before being cleared.

Five minutes later, another Pringle freekick from the left caused more danger, the ball falling to Chambers a few yards out but the Blues’ captain was unable to get in a clean strike and the ball looped harmlessly to Tigers keeper Allan McGregor.

Town were ended the half on top, Sears making a strong run through the middle before shooting over, then Douglas similarly went high with a strike from distance.

Hull had started the half the stronger side but with Snodgrass’s freekick, which was superbly saved by Bialkowski, their only chance.

Town grew into the game and by half-time were in charge and had created chances, several from Pringle’s excellent set pieces.

The visitors threatened first after the break, Berra blocked a Hernández strike and Bialkowski rather needlessly punched the loose ball away before David Meyler hit a low shot which the Blues keeper claimed more comfortably.

But the Championship leaders didn’t have to wait too long to go in front. Robertson played in Diamé between two Town defenders and the striker dinked it over BIalkowski and into the net.

The Senegalese international almost immediately shot over and then Chambers blocked brilliantly from Meyler as the visitors took control of the game.

On 52, Bialkowski saved superbly from Sam Clucas, then one-time Blues loanee Jack Livermore smashed the rebound against the post.

The Tigers had dominated since the goal, passing the ball around confidently and looking likely to add to their lead, but on 59 Chambers caused McGregor an awkward moment with a cross-shot from the right which the keeper was pleased to see fly just over his bar.

In the 64th minute, with the visitors still on top, Kevin Bru replaced Hyam, who had suffered a knock. Five minutes later, as Hull swapped Hernández for Chuba Akpom, Pringle and Sears switched flanks.

Hull continued to control the game comfortably and might have increased their lead in the 75th minute when Moses Odubajo got behind the Blues’ backline on the right but crossed poorly and Chambers cleared.

Two minutes later, there were calls for a Town penalty when Douglas went to ground as he took a bouncing ball into the area but mainly from the stands and referee Malone quickly waved the claims away.

In the 79th minute Luke Varney took over from Pringle, who was warmly applauded off after an impressive home debut.

Soon after, Davies headed across the face of goal from a Snodgrass freekick when it seemed easier to score. Two minutes later at the other end, Pitman curled a freekick wide.

Town were finally beginning to get more of a foothold in the game and on 85 Murphy headed a Chambers cross from the right well wide. Two minutes later, Smith was booked for puling back Akpom.

As the game moved into three minutes of added on time, Sears forced McGregor to save down to his right after he had chested down and hit a low shot.

And from the corner the Blues almost grabbed an unlikely equaliser, Smith heading over under pressure at the far post. But there were no further chances before referee Malone blew the final whistle.

Having ended the first half the better side, the Blues never got going after the break with Hull scoring their goal only three minutes after the restart.

From there they dominated and looked every bit this season’s Championship title winners in waiting and they might have won more comfortably with Livermore coming close to a second when he hit the post and Davies heading across the face when he should have scored.

Town rarely threatened until the closing stages and will feel they ought to have taken their opportunities during their spell on top before the break when Murphy went closest when he struck an upright.

The result sees the end of the Blues’ 16-game, three-year long Tuesday night home run with the Blues now having lost four of their last five matches in all competitions.

Town, who are down to 10th in the table, now six points off the play-offs, next travel to Huddersfield, who drew 1-1 away against the MK Dons this evening, on Saturday.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Douglas, Hyam (Bru 64), Pringle (Varney 79), Sears, Pitman, Murphy. Unused: Gerken, Digby, Foley, Tabb, Touré.

Hull City: McGregor, Odubajo, Dawson (c), Davies, Robertson, Snodgrass, Meyler (Huddlestone 87), Livermore, Clucas, Diamé (Powell 84), Hernández (Akpom 69). Unused: Jakupović, Maguire, Maloney, Elmohamady. Referee: Brendan Malone (Wiltshire). Att: 17,630 (Hull City: 393).

Photo: Action Images

Lightningboy added 14:37 - Feb 24 Spot on DebenBlue!
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callmeted added 14:48 - Feb 24 my heart still wants to be with MM and i am trying to be positive that we are in touching distance of the play offs but .... I am afraid i have to agree with the comments of the game last night. 1st half was a semi decent performance but the 2nd half was woeful. Having said that I think Hull are the best team seen i have seen here in a while and could have stepped through the gears at any time. I fear we are drifting to mid table mediocrity for a variety of reasons , one style approach, no plan B, no creativity, players having to fit into unknown positions, teams anticipating our predictable approach. However, my biggest concern for now is next season and beyond. If, as i know suspect, we don't go up then this squad is clearly not good enough and i cannot presently see where we go from there. I would envisage around at least 5 changes that would have to be made . My other concern is that we will not bring in anyone who isn't any better than we have. as better players won't come here to play for a mid table team with one tactic.. God I hope i am wrong otherwise we are in for a long hard few years after a brief flirt of optimism

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Witchesaswell added 15:18 - Feb 24 There's so much negativity on here so I'm going to be positive. I'm positive we ain't getting promoted! God it's really depressing watching us get totally outplayed week after week and something needs to be done but I've absolutely no idea what because I, like most of us don't really know what's going on in ME's head as to where he really wants to take the club. I think it's time for him to actually come out and tell us his plans, what do you all think?

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paulcooperisgod added 15:23 - Feb 24 Time for ME to face the public, it's a total joke this cloak of mystery it's as if he's some sort of superhero or something! Well get your tights on Marcus it's time to save the world..... well Ipswich anyway
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:31 - Feb 24 cant really say anything that hasnt been said already.I was only surprised that we didnt lose by a bigger margin .Im fed up with the season it started well,something weve all hoped for each year ,but its slip sliding away now.I dont think i'll be dragging myself to many more games this season now,its a lost cause yet again . People will probably disagree,thats ok each to their own oppinion .Major changes in club needed if any hope of better times are to come ,.

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sydneytown added 17:12 - Feb 24 Bobby Robson never worried about giving the kids a go burley wark and beattie spring to mind and 3 of the boys played for england the other day just an idea to give me a bit of hope for the future
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paulnstar added 17:57 - Feb 24 its the end of the road for mick suppose terry will take over soonvery good record at wolves our terry
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Geoff added 18:17 - Feb 24 Lets stop moaning on here and start protesting at the next home game, we have had enough of this dross and lame excuses.
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oldegold added 19:00 - Feb 24 Not a shot on goal..again..tells the sorry tale. How on earth we are expected to win games without aiming at our opponent's goal is beyond me.Terrible and dire football, a manager who takes umbrage at the merest hint of criticism and is tactically belonging to a bygone age, a youth system which is falling apart and was once the envy of Britain, overloaded match day prices,a missing in action club President, no ambition to speak of. Oh, my poor dear Ipswich.. Bobby Robson said years ago that our club like ours needs to promote its own players, manage them, push them to great things. Look at us now..reliant on other clubs cast offs, and loanees..Where are our young starlets?

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MadDog added 19:08 - Feb 24 Yet another top 6 side we can't compete with-not even at home! Let's face it we are now in the league position we should be-how we can contemplate promotion when everyone knows the teams above us are better than us?! Had we strengthened in January when we were in a good position who knows, but now it is too late for this season. Nothing will change in the summer & let's be honest if we brought in a real flair player McCarthy would soon turn him into a hoof ball expert! Time for a change-manager & perhaps owner as well as seems he has no ambition whatsoever. Will still be cheering the team on-but realisation has set in.

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TimmyH added 20:05 - Feb 24 Sadly we're probably a worse side now in this current state than the side Mick assembled a couple of Months after he started...poor all round from Mick and ME/board.
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runningout added 20:13 - Feb 24 Think the manager has to look at his motivation level.. We should have beat Hull, don't care for their form.. MM is the doing a decent job for us, just needs to boot the naivety out of a few, and get them to be ruthless and clinical
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Steelmonkey added 21:37 - Feb 24 I was quite amazed at our first half performance, so unlucky not to go in 1-0 up. Thought we matched them, and just edged the half. Then came the second 45mins, they got their goal and we didn't look like getting so much as a sniff, Hull moved up a gear and I stood there in disbelief at our inability to make any headway against them. Before the game I had us losing 2-0 at best, and the result I think flattered us. So MM where was the ability to change it around as you hinted we could in your prematch interview. Did we just run out of steam 2nd half. My god if your happy MM to edge into the top six at the last minute of the last game this season it totally sums up your pathetic ambitions at this club. Don't get me wrong I am grateful to you keeping us in this league, but have you no forward plan. And if that's a successesful season in your book no wonder you couldn't keep Wolves in the top flight. Looking at the fixtures I can't see us getting a point untill the Rotherham game, unless we can change something. Has any one got a copy of WHEN DINOSAURES RULED THE EARTH that I can borrow please. Sorry, just remembered I've got a season ticket.

3

BillBlue added 21:40 - Feb 24 paulnstar - Did you mean to put 'HaHa' at the end?
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Seasider added 21:44 - Feb 24 Timmy H.Most of players in MM's first two months were inherited as he only brought in Kelly Youga who was unattached,Bradley Orr on loan from Blackburn Rovers.Tyrone Barnett on loan from Peterborough,and Tyrone Mings on Russell Osmans recommendation I believe from Cheltenham who of course he has yet to replace satisfactorily. Unlike several on here will continue my season ticket although don't agree with style of football or manager,who Ihink is distinctly average.As for owner,words fail me.

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dirtydingusmagee added 22:05 - Feb 24 Mick the builder, Can he fix it ? no we're F####d
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TimmyH added 22:16 - Feb 24 @seasider - Steadman was brought in to the RB position on loan in the New Year so a degree of assembling was done to MM's wishes and infact the most clean sheets we've had under Mick in the 2nd half of the season - Cressie, Smith, Chambers, Steadman with Henderson in goal? since then the defense has slowly been getting worse and McCarthy changes nothing! So are you basically saying a lot of the players Mick has got in hasn't been that much of an improvement on the players PJ had in 2012, certainly deadwood was cleared which had to be - Bullard, Chopra, JET etc. - amazing how quickly he turned things around but unfortunately only to a certain level.

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Kulturarv added 23:34 - Feb 24 ME! Since you are obviously not going to reinvest. Could you PLEASE sell us to someone who's got at least one percent interest in football? You have put this predictable puppy as coach and paid him for saying that he's not interested in anything but free transfers. What's the point? Why bother? Sell us!
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gippeswyk added 23:38 - Feb 24 Some of you guys on here are so fickle and only come out to complain when we lose. Despite all our injuries and a squad of freebies and loans, we are still within shouting distance of the play-offs and safe from relegation for another year, thanks to MM, TC and and a really hard working bunch of players. Anyone who thought we should get automatic promotion is supporting the wrong team. We are a decent championship side, and better than the one MM took over. Go support Norwich if you dont like it but you can't make a silk purse out of a pigs ear. MM is the best thing that has happened to the club in a long time and its time true blue fans got behind him instead of getting the knives out when results dont go our way. I was at the match and to lose 1-0 to the league leaders, full of premiership players, when we had so many injuries but still came close to scoring when the ball rolled along the line, or Murphy hit the post. If one of those efforts had crept over, would some of you so called supporters be out for MMs blood??? Its not about MM having ambition, its about some negative and unrealistic fans managing their expectations.

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gippeswyk added 23:56 - Feb 24 Seasider, Mings came from Chippenham not Cheltenham. Armchair critics, get your facts straight and leave the real job for the professionals. You can't get a harder working and more honest bunch of players and management staff. Stop beating up on them or we'll be sorry.
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BrettenhamBlue added 07:36 - Feb 25 A few bad comments about Pringle and even Foley when he didn't play which is not on. Pringle has had a really good start to his career with us and so has Foley. Both look like quality Championship editions and I think most fans are pleased with them. The verdict is still out on Toure and Digby. Neither have been impressive but they might get better with time. Digby can pass a ball and Toure likes to take people on, even if he often gets tackled in the process. What was Mick thinking when he signed Coke though? I mean seriously?

1

BrettenhamBlue added 07:38 - Feb 25 Don't know how many of you have seen the old Mike Bassett movie but reminds me of Benson and Hedges. Only those guys were only picked once.
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grumpyoldman added 08:39 - Feb 25 Gippeswyk I think you may be missing the point, it's not only the lack of progress in the league it's the total lack of entertainment from our team. When honestly did you last watch an Ipswich move and think that was fantastic, great movement and passing, when did you leave the ground and think we really played well and should have won! As for honest and hardworking if any of us wanted to watch that we could go into a local industry and watch hardworking well managed people. Football is a sport and entertainment. As for going to support Norwich I live nearer there than Ipswich but I choose the blues, once you choose a team you are stuck for life

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OldClactonBlue added 11:36 - Feb 25 Gippeswyk, if everyone who aspired to something a lot better went off and supported Norwich, or one of the London teams, instead of ITFC you would be getting crowds down nearer 10,000 and be in total decline. Football may be different to what it was 20 or 30 years ago, but accepting that you can just be a mid table division 2 side will ensure that's what you are. Also people pay much more now for entertainment and that's what the majority expect to get.

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dirtydingusmagee added 13:11 - Feb 25 i agree grumpy,i too live much nearer to Carrow Rd, i too have always supported Town,and would not consider supporting Norwich.I have supported Town since mid 60s, [before many of the current fans were born ,and i have never felt ,until now ,the lack of ambition in our club,no commitment,no heart These are not good times .
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