Leon Best’s goal a minute before half-time saw Rotherham United to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. The former Irish international scraped home from close range from a Matt Derbyshire cross, the Millers having caught Town on the break after they had lost possession from a freekick in the visitors’ half.

Boss Mick McCarthy named the same team which beat Blackburn 2-0 on Tuesday with new loan signing Liam Feeney amongst the subs.

Also on the bench were ex-Miller Ben Pringle and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who came in for the injured Luke Varney, while Michael Crowe took the place of the ill Dean Gerken as the sub keeper.

Rotherham included former Town loanee Paul Green on their bench, while Paddy Kenny, who was on a short-term deal with the Blues last season without making an appearance, was the Millers’ sub keeper.

The Blues created the game’s first opportunity in the fifth minute when skipper Luke Chambers crossed from the right and Freddie Sears, playing on the left of a front three with Daryl Murphy on the right and the more central Brett Pitman dropping deeper, headed over.

Town had the better of the opening quarter of an hour but without threatening again until the 16th minute when, after good work down the left from Jonathan Douglas, Pitman teed up Sears, but his shot failed to test Lee Camp in the Rotherham goal.

On 21 Lee Frecklington claimed he’d been fouled by Douglas as he broke into the area chasing a pass over the top but the former Peterborough man appeared just to have been out-muscled.

A minute later, with the visitors now on top, Richard Smallwood brought the ball in from the left and hit a low shot which Bartosz Bialkowski claimed easily.

In the 37th minute, after Bialkowski had been crowded out as a long throw came in from the right, Frecklington looped the loose ball wide.

Two minutes later, the Blues carved out an opportunity but Camp confidently dealt with Chambers’s shot, to ironic cheers from a section of the Town support in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

At the other end, Grant Ward struck a deflected effort from the edge of the box which Bialkowski pushed behind to his left.

Rotherham had shaded a not overly engaging half and a minute before the break they went in front.

Following a Town freekick in the Millers’ half, Douglas played a loose pass on halfway and Derbyshire broke away down the right before crossing to the unmarked Best, who turned home before Christophe Berra could get back to intercept.

There was no time for the Blues to hit back before referee Stephen Martin blew his final whistle, signalling boos from a frustrated Town support.

Even before the goal it had been a disappointing half from Town, who after starting positively had allowed the visitors to get on top and on the balance of the half overall they deserved their lead.

Unsurprisingly, the Blues made a switch of personnel at the break with new loan signing Feeney handed his debut and Douglas making way.

Town began the half brightly and soon after the restart Chambers fed Sears on the right of the area and the former Colchester man hit a low shot which was cleared from inside the six-yard box.

The Blues kept up the early pressure, Pitman forcing Camp into a brave save as he sought to latch on to a loose ball in the box.

On 53 Feeney whipped over a cross from the right which Jonas Knudsen headed against a defender and out for a corner. From the flag-kick, the ball reached Chambers but the Town captain was unable to make significant contact with his header. Seconds later, as Rotherham looked to break, Knudsen was booked for a foul on Ward.

In the 57th minute Feeney battled for the ball with Joe Mattock on the right before sending over a cross which Knudsen headed straight at Camp.

As the game moved past the hour, Pitman did well to find Sears on the left as he was fouled by Greg Halford, referee Martin waving play on. Sears took the ball into the area and shot well wide before Halford was yellow-carded for the foul.

Town were still less than convincing with the ball being given away cheaply on too many occasions, while cross after cross was claimed by Camp in the air.

But on 67 Pitman worked himself a chance on the edge of the area and was fouled by Lloyd Doyley as he hit a shot which was deflected wide.

Town’s top scorer took the freekick himself but blazed well over. Three minutes later, ex-Miller Pringle took over from Pitman.

On 74 Kevin Bru replaced Hyam for Town and four minutes later Joe Newell came on for Derbyshire for the Millers.

The Blues continued to make little headway and on 88 Rotherham created their first chance of the half, Halford cutting back to Ward, who screwed his shot wide.

The fourth official’s board indicated an additional four minutes with Town still rarely looking like getting back on terms.

Feeney, the Blues’ main second-half threat, broke away on the left and cut the ball across when he might have shot but won a corner from which Town came as close to a goal as they had all match.

A loose ball fell to Pringle beyond the far post but he hit his shot from a tight angle across the face of goal and wide with none of his team-mates able to add a final touch.

Soon after, the referee blew his whistle signalling boos and chants of ‘What a load of rubbish’ from the home support.

Manager Mick McCarthy immediately made his way down the tunnel, unusually not staying on the pitch to shake his players’ hands along with assistant boss Terry Connor.

As at Cardiff last week, having gone behind, the Blues were huffed and puffed but - after their post-half-time flurry - were devoid of ideas and were unable to seriously threaten Rotherham’s lead, a couple of Feeney crosses aside.

It was as poor a performance as Town have put in at home in what’s generally been a disappointing season at Portman Road.

Given the toughness of the Blues’ remaining away games, missing out on three points from what looked on paper to be a very winnable home match is a significant bow to Town’s up and down play-off aspirations.

Rotherham, now unbeaten in five, winning four, are out of the bottom three and up to 10th.

The result sees the Blues stay eighth but now four points - plus goal difference - from the play-offs ahead of the two-week gap for the international break with Town next in action at Wolves on April 2nd.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Smith, Berra, Skuse, Hyam (Bru 74), Douglas (Feeney 46), Sears, Murphy, Pitman (Pringle 70). Unused: Crowe, Maitland-Niles, Digby, Foley.

Rotherham: Camp, Mattock, Broadfoot (c), Frecklington, Kelly, Halford, G Ward, Derbyshire (Newell 78), Smallwood, Doyley, Best (Clarke-Harris 84). Unused: Kenny, Wood, D Ward, Green, Burke. Referee: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire). Att: 20,318 (Rotherham: 344).

Photo: Action Images

Bob7881 added 17:58 - Mar 19 Harry i agree personal abuse should not happen as for booing thats hardly abuse. What are the fans suppose to do clap em off after a performance like today? Theres not a club in the world who havent been booed at sometime.
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Bob7881 added 17:58 - Mar 19 Harry i agree personal abuse should not happen as for booing thats hardly abuse. What are the fans suppose to do clap em off after a performance like today? Theres not a club in the world who havent been booed at sometime.
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norfstanda added 17:58 - Mar 19 Lol
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essexboy added 17:58 - Mar 19 This is a very time now at PR.with expectations so high last August,we have now turned the tables a complete 90 degrees and become a boring team without a tactical clue,to whom I blame MM 100%.It hurts me to say this about a Town manager,but this manager in MY opinion has totally lost the plot with regards to team selection and tactical awareness.Getting into the top six is now out of our hands and the way we are playing we will be lucky to finish in the top nine.Having supported this team for well over 40 years I can honestly say this season is one I shall remember for throwing away the best chance we had for getting promotion.Where does the blame lie,Well we all know where.!!What is the solution,you tell me.I just wonder after the dross we have served up lately just how many season tickets will be sold for next season.Thinngs have to change at this club,and sooner rather than later.I rest my case from a VERY disgruntled Town supporter.😡😡

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prebsa added 17:59 - Mar 19 HarryS_H at the end of the day if you make enough mistakes in the normal workplace you are firstly warned about it then disciplined then fired. That's dosent happen that often in football. So I think the fans can say what they like good or bad!
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Murphys_Law added 18:00 - Mar 19 Today was the day that I lost faith in MM from the moment i saw the team selection.Today was a day to be positive, go for it and take a chance on being positive in selection and play. He would(MM) gained the respect of many even if we'd gone down positive and fighting.I hope I'm wrong but I suspect we've blown any playoff hopes, shame. He really is a stubborn sod and whilst I'm greatful he's stabilised us he regrettably is not the future I'm afraid.

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karls_dad added 18:01 - Mar 19 Well i have sat here and read through each and every post, the sad fact is that nothing will change, ME see,s the club as something for his accountants to work with, as fot MM, well when i saw the team selection i knew exactly what to expect, and i got it!! Will someone please give Mr Hollaway a call and tell him we need him, at least he would make us smile, even if we lost his comments would be worthwhile. I,m just about as fed up as i could possibly be,as many of the above we are now an embarrassment of a football club, the players well most of them do not give a damm about us fans, they pick up their handsome monthly cheques, drive their flash cars to their stalely homes and care nothing as to where it all comes from, totally peed off with the whole situation, nothing will change! no doubt MM will get another big bonus this year, and did i hear correct that we are now dearer to watch than some prem clubs? Just awful today again!

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carsey added 18:01 - Mar 19 Poor selection Poor manager Poor effort Poor advertisement to encourage people to renew season tickets We desperately need a new manager who wants to play football the right way - suggest giving Portsmouth a call
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Witchesaswell added 18:02 - Mar 19 I haven't read all the comments so far but what a complete load of utter dross! On what planet does any manager that wants to win start a game with a midfield that doesn't have a bloody creative bone in their body between them! Unbelievable that there was more positive play in the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half than in the whole of the 1st half put together. I'll probably get banned from here if vent my current feelings towards MM, his style of play (or lack of) and possibly the ownership as well so I'll leave it at that.

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1RWR added 18:10 - Mar 19 OUT! I'm sorry & embarrassed to say it, but it's the only way! If he had swapped the bench for the starting 11 we may have won! DROSS!
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Bert added 18:10 - Mar 19 I rarely say anything negative about the team I support but today' was a disgrace. No imagination, no skill, no midfield and so no service to three strikers. The crowd gave their support to the players during the game but they are quite right to show their disgust at what was served up today. Never before have I wanted the season to end so quickly. So sad that the team I have been proud to support has lost its way with such negative football. I want to cry.

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TractorBoy666 added 18:10 - Mar 19 I'm just lost for words after that today for all the wrong reasons. To play 3, yes THREE holding midfielders at HOME to Rotherham United or Real Madrid I think Mick McCarthy would refer them to is nothing short of embarrassing. How on earth can you be scared of the opposition as poor as Rotherham? Some fans need to understand that the boo'ing isn't necessarily aimed at the players, but at Mick and Evans who probably wasn't even there today. Callers into radio Suffolk was right about the 2-0 Tuesday covering the noticeable cracks. The one positive I struggled to find today was Liam Feeney and guess what, he isn't even our player but we all know if he ends up being too good Mick won't want him as he's too attacking and that's seen as a crime in a MM team.

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Kesgraveblue92 added 18:11 - Mar 19 Today was an absolute disgrace. The team selection was unforgivable today in setting up for a draw against a team that is struggling at the bottom of the league. Playing three defensive midfielders with not an ounce of creativity between the three of them is an absolute joke. Douglas must be one of the worst midfielders I have ever seen put on an Ipswich shirt, but because he is 'one of the lads', he will not be dropped. Four of the midfielders we had on the bench (Pringle, Bru, Foley and Feeney) are miles ahead of the three that played today. Not to forget Tabb who we have been told on numerous times by Mick that he is "different class", so classy he is not even on the bench... Sears once again ran and ran but there are only so many times you can run back to left back to retrieve the ball and attempt to run with it, realising that the midfield are to scared of the ball to help you, before it dawns that it is a lost cause and the attack breaks down. I cannot criticise him as he tries to make things happen. Bart has dragged us up to the position in the league we are in and without his saves in recent weeks the playoffs would have long been a distant memory. We were very poor on Tuesday night but somehow we managed to scrape a win. Lets face it we would not have scored if we had not been given that penalty. We will not go up this season, or next season or indeed any season with Mick and Evans in charge. They have done nothing to convince me to renew my season ticket for another season of absolute rubbish, and I fear, for the club's sake, I am not alone in thinking this. Very bad day.

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delias_cheesy_flaps added 18:15 - Mar 19 I can't be ar*ed to read past the 1st page. If we are totally honest we are in a league position which far exceeds our capabilities and actual performances. I guess getting a new attacking player in and sitting him on the bench for the first 45 minutes says a lot about our ambition?
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blueherts added 18:15 - Mar 19 Harry people pay a lot of money to come and watch the team if they repeatedly put in under par performances what do you expect MM has been 'rewarded ' with a new contract? Why exactly for what By all means if we had showno progress at seasons end maybe In most businesses if the boss and his team go backwards and money drops only one thing happens Except of course in football where if you dare express an opinion against MM etc you know nothing He also shows very little regard for fans opinions Yes we are grateful for what he did but we live in the now .Harry did u clap him off today ?

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GFH added 18:16 - Mar 19 Sooooo fed up with this now it's 1 step forward and 2 back, I really believe we have the players to be able to do so much better than this. COYB ffs.
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bonamassablue added 18:17 - Mar 19 A very poor performance. The team selection was wrong from the start, who selects 3 defensive midfielders against Rotherham and leaves the creativeness of Pringle and Bru on the bench? The team has lost its way and it is game over as far as the playoffs are concerned. Struggling to find a positive. Our long ball hoofs today were embarrassing.
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Westy added 18:18 - Mar 19 Harry, I have never booed an Ipswich player. I find it demeaning and disrespectful, but most of those that did still regard the papers as personal friends even though they don't know them personally and would buy them a drink given half a chance.
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ChrisFelix added 18:21 - Mar 19 when I heard the team I thought it was April 1st.Sadly we got what the team selection deserved. How could an experienced manager pick such a team. After 15 years that's my season ticket direct debit cancelled
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BanksterDebtSlave added 18:28 - Mar 19 Somebody tell Hyam he's not on loan with Rotherham anymore! Why Foley who wants the ball and makes himself available to create from the middle can't get a look in is beyond me
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Geoff added 18:30 - Mar 19 That performance from the team and manager deserves the boos it got negative tactics against a relegation side is a disgrace. my season ticket will not be renewed until we show a more positive attitude, an owner that has lost interest a manager that has not got a clue. The fans deserve better then this season over now do not deserve a top six place to make matters worse the budgies win what a terrible day.

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Jayembee added 18:32 - Mar 19 Drove 3,5 Hours today to watch the match.
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DannyITFC added 18:33 - Mar 19 That has made my mind up, I will not be renewing my season ticket unless Evans gives MM plenty of money to spend or they both leave. MM has lost the plot, our midfield had 3 holding players? Meanwhile quality footballers such as Foley, Pringle, Feeney, Bru were all on the bench? We were at home pushing for play offs against a poor bottom 3 team right? It's been a long long time since I have see. "Booing" off at half time and the final whistle along with the chants of "what a load of rubbish" Maybe the chants should be "McCarthy Out!" This needs a reaction from the club, the lowest point I can remember since the Roy Keane days. Pesonally I think we need someone like Nigel Pearson, a manager who encourages positive football on the deck. Many are not renewing season tickets and I am joining them......I am actually appalled with what is going on at this club.

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prebbs007 added 18:41 - Mar 19 Essex57 - you're very quiet !!! Even you can't justify that dross !!!! It's very very simple. McCarthy's selection cost us today. The man has totally list the plot and MUST go NOW !!! Don't wait till end of season , don't even wait till end of weekend, just Foxtrot Oscar right NOW!!! You're a dinosaur who has made so many errors this season it's embarrassing !!! Today AGAIN you selected the worst RB in the league at RB. A one footed (left) player at RCB, a slow miles past his best LCB and a bloke we paid 300k for to throw the ball a long way at LB, he is truly shocking. The midfield trio are so bad they would not get in Col U 's team and they are about to go to league 2. Skuse is about as dynamic as a rocking horse. Douglas is about as fast as a rocking horse and again gifted away a goal with his total ineptness. Hyam is a rocking horse. Possibly the worst midfielder we've had for last 5 years, an abysmal footballer in every way. Sears runs a lot but creates absolutely zero ever, pitman seems to only be able to score when he is a sub and as for the completely useless donkey with number 9 on his back, his lack of interest, ability, quality and skill is embarrassing. A waste of a shirt Murphy you're a disgrace man. Feeney Bru Pringle & Foley should have been the midfield and if anyone was ever in any doubt about renewing their season ticket then that has just clinched it. We will be playing in front of 12k next season and I will not be one of them for the first time for 35 years. McCarthy you're an idiot and Evans you're a tax scam owner. When you both do one as far away from our great club as possible then I will be back. Season over today !!! Very very sad day.

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jas0999 added 18:41 - Mar 19 Inexcusable performance, unacceptable result. I've said it before but only one from Douglas, Skuse and Hyam should start a home game. They are all far too defensive. I simply can't understand how any manager could contemplate starting all three. Douglas was extremely poor and has surely played his final game for us. Hyam isn't (sadly) half the player since his injury, whilst the midfield generally is poor and lacks that creative goal scoring force which any promotion contender needs. Sadly, that person will undoubtably cost money and Evans unambitious approach and lack of investment in the playing squad won't allow such a signing. The lack of entertainment on show again today is shocking. how the club continue to justify their ticket prices and new rise is beyond me. It's not worth twenty pounds. We still remarkably have a chance of the play offs, but with this hard working but average squad, I think the majority realistically accept promotion is out of reach. We can't continue as we are. We can't have another season of signing the likes of Coke, Toure, Digby and the polish fella. We need quality, creativity and goals. Evans I suspect won't fund it. We won't continue to get lucky. Today was what had been coming for a while. Lucky at Huddersfield. Scraped past Forest. A point was more than we deserved at Bolton. Blackburn result deserved but performance abysmal. Mick and Evans need a new strategy in the summer.

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