Jota’s controversial 21st-minute penalty saw Birmingham City to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at St Andrew’s. Jacques Maghoma appeared to go to ground very easily when challenged by Cameron Carter-Vickers to win the spot-kick, while the Blues, who are now without a goal in four games, rarely looked like getting back on terms.

Town boss Mick McCarthy, who confirmed he'll be leaving the Blues at the end of the season on Thursday, named the same team which lost 1-0 away at Bristol City prior to the international break.

Bartosz Bialkowski was in goal with Carter-Vickers, skipper Luke Chambers and Adam Webster the back three and Jordan Spence and Jonas Knudsen the wing-backs.

Cole Skuse was in central midfield behind Callum Connolly and Grant Ward with Martyn Waghorn and Freddie Sears up front.

Mustapha Carayol was back among the subs after his groin problem, while Australian striker Ben Folami, 18, was also on the bench.

Birmingham made one change from the team which started against Hull City in their 3-0 win a fortnight ago with David Davis returning for the injured Craig Gardner.

Ex-Blues loan keeper David Stockdale started for the home side, while Midlanders’ skipper Michael Morrison is from Suffolk having been born in Bury St Edmunds.

Knudsen hooked away Maxime Colin’s second-minute knockback from a freekick from the edge of the six-yard box, then on three Jota shot well wide after Chambers had given the ball away.

Birmingham continued to present the greater threat and on 10 Lukas Jutkiewicz was fed in on goal on the left of the box but Bialkowski forced him wide and then Carter-Vickers stabbed out for a corner.

From the resultant flag-kick taken by Jacques Maghoma, the ball was cleared to Davis on the edge of the box from where he volleyed powerfully wide.

Town, who had put themselves under pressure by needlessly giving the ball away in the early stages, didn’t threaten until the 15th minute when Ward sent over a deep cross from the right which found Knudsen.

The Dane, who picked up his third full cap earlier in the week, opted to try to play inside to Waghorn rather than shooting himself, which looked the better option, but was unable to find the Blues striker.

On 18 Sears almost profited from some defensive hesitancy by Morrison as a ball was played over the top but the home skipper recovered to slide the ball away from the Blues striker.

Town had begun to make some headway going forward but in the 21st minute they went behind via a debatable penalty.

Maghoma burst past Carter-Vickers on the Birmingham left and as the on-loan Tottenham defender sought to get back the DR Congo international appeared to throw himself to ground. Referee Roger East pointed straight to the spot.

After lengthy and vehement protests from the Town players, Jota stepped up and beat Bialkowski to his left. There had been contact between the players but Maghoma looked to have gone down almost wholly under his own steam.

Connolly’s shot from the edge of the area was blocked on 24 as the Blues looked to get back into the game.

Five minutes later, Bialkowski reacted superbly to save Che Adams’s shot which had taken a deflection with his foot as Birmingham continued to create most of the game’s few chances.

On 37 Maghoma’s corner from the left looped beyond Bialkowski, who was being blocked off by a number of home players, and Morrison nodded wide as the ball bounced up to him.

Town failed to make much of a freekick from a promising position outside the area to the right moments before the half moved into one minute of uneventful injury time.

Despite the contentious nature of the penalty, the home side deserved their lead at the break having most of the few opportunities during what had been a scruffy half.

Town had never really looked like scoring, Knudsen choosing not to shoot when having the clearest opportunity.

Five minutes after the restart Spence headed wide from a Knudsen cross, then three minutes later the ex-West Ham man looped another header from a left-wing cross over. Moments later, Bersant Celina replaced Ward.

On 57 Sears was sent away on the right but his shot from the edge of the box was diverted behind. From the corner, Knudsen blazed deep into the stand behind the goal after the ball had been cleared out to him.

Birmingham defender Harlee Dean picked up the game’s first booking for knocking Bialkowski over as he looked to clear quickly following a corner.

The Blues continued to show a little more attacking endeavour than they had in the first half with Spence seeing an effort blocked after Celina had fed him having been crowded out.

At the other end, Adams was sent away on the left of the box by Maghoma but scuffed tamely wide as Bialkowski advanced off his line.

The game was starting to open up and in the 63rd minute the Blues weren’t too far away from an equaliser. Celina’s clever pass found Waghorn on the left of the box from where the former Rangers man unleashed a shot which Stockdale could only palm away, fortunately for him over Connolly at the far post.

At the other end Jota smashed a shot into the stanchion, before Skuse was booked for a foul on Jutkiewicz. On 71 Luke Hyam took over from Connolly.

Birmingham were looking the more likely scorers of the game’s second goal as it moved into its final quarter of an hour, Bialkowski tipping Jutkiewicz’s header from Jota’s corner from the right over the bar. A minute later, aft Carayol took over from Sears.

Carayol immediately made an impact, crossing for Hyam but just behind the midfielder who could only turn the ball against a defender, off himself and then behind.

On 80, after Davis had been booked for dissent, Cheikh Ndoye replaced Maikel Kieftenbeld for the home side. Six minutes later Josh Dacres-Cogley took over from Jutkiewicz.

Webster was booked for a foul on Maghoma in the penultimate minute with the Blues continuing to push for an equaliser, albeit unconvincingly. Just prior to the fourth official indicating four additional minutes, Maghoma was swapped for Jason Lowe.

Keeper Bialkowski came up for a late, late corner which came to nothing and seconds later referee East ended the game.

While Town were a slightly improved attacking prospect after the break, they still rarely looked like getting anything from the match and it was little surprise that they were unable to find the net for a fourth successive game with their most recent goals at Sheffield Wednesday on March 6th.

The Blues’ best chance was of ending that wait for a goal was Waghorn’s strike which Stockdale saved, but other than that it’s difficult to recall many other clear-cut opportunities.

Town battled away gamely as they always have under McCarthy, and there was no sign of tools being downed after this week's announcement of the manager's exit, but as so often quality didn't match their endeavour, certainly not in the final third.

The result moves Birmingham out of the bottom three, while Town, whose season has effectively been over a for a few weeks, are 13th following the weekend fixtures with Millwall at Portman Road on Monday.

Birmingham: Stockdale, Harding, Morrison (c), Dean, Colin, Jota, Kieftenbeld (Ndoye 80), Maghoma (Lowe 90), Davis, Jutkiewicz (Dacres-Cogley 86), Adams. Unused: Kuszczak, Roberts, Bailey, Boga.

Town: Bialkowski, Carter-Vickers, Chambers (c), Webster, Spence, Skuse, Ward (Celina 55), Connolly (Hyam 71), Knudsen, Waghorn Sears (Carayol 76). Unused: M Crowe, Hyam, Gleeson, Kenlock, Folami. Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire). Att: 20,555 (Town: 769).

Photo: Action Images

WoodfordTim added 18:24 - Mar 31 Just listened to Mick give a post match interview on Radio Suffolk. He sounded so down. Felt sorry for him in a way. Not his usual self. Going to endure Monday afternoon vs. Millwall and know that I'll just get hacked off and angry again. I think he should go now and let Messrs. Nash & Klug see out the season
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LWNR2013 added 18:25 - Mar 31 Ok. You dint like that one. Make me caretaker now.
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prebbs007 added 18:27 - Mar 31 Another typical McMuck team selection substations and performance !!!! So so so so so glad you're going. Shame it's 18 months too late but better late than never. The dull tactics the stubborn selection of proper bloke favourites the rude arrogance towards fans and the total ineptitude of no plan B ever will most definitely not be missed. Good riddance and maybe now we can get back to playing football the Ipswich way and entertainment can return. So many of this squad need to follow you out the door, dire footballers nowhere near good enough for top 6 challenge with the same try not to lose attitude if the manager. Bring on next season when we hope to return to Ipswich Town football COYB.

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happybeingblue added 18:31 - Mar 31 listening to mick mills on suffolk it seems that evans talks to redknapp to get info on new managers, but what mick mills said was spot on that basically harry wide boy redknapp does obviously not have the best interests of ITFC at heart so why not talk to someone who does ie mick mills george burley etc, i honestly think that mick mac will end up on tv as he will always want a big salary and who will give him that in our lge or lower etc and hes old hat for prem bit like jewell was and keane is only a no2 now, hes not as good as he thinks he is

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H1960 added 18:33 - Mar 31 Listening to todays game on the radio reminded me of so many that have happened over the last few years, usual negative selections and tactics, McCarthy pre match usuals "they are a good side" "they have got good players "they are in a false position""they are no mugs" "a point is a good point" blah blah blah yawn yawn yawn, no wonder we are so poor the players are brainwashed into being petrified of what they are up against! I heard a quote from Maurice Steyn one of our potential new managers "we don't worry about the opposition, we let them worry about us" how refreshing!!

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Swn98 added 18:39 - Mar 31 Put me in my place suffolk n ? don't think so old fella.
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MicksZzzTactics added 18:44 - Mar 31 Absolute disgraceful that Muck "drop" our 2 youthful & talented weapons Drinan & Morris from the squad (this after inexplicably waiting to the 93 min to bring on Morris against Bristol and not having used his own very very talked-up "The Next Murph" at all yet?!) So what exactly did the 2 of them do to deserve this strange expulsion from today's squad during the international break ...I mean BESIDES scoring some very nifty goals for the Development side???!!! They -- alongside Folami who "luckily" was included but ahrggg! indefensibly got totally snubbed today as well?! included when at 0-1 down by none other than super creative & "Next Andrés Iniesta" a.k. a. proper blokish Luke Hyam??!!! -- represent the potential bright offensive future of this club for crying out loud!!!!!!!!!! ....as opposed to for instance today's mystical starter for the 3rd game running = the by the dreaded Dino totally 'deprogrammed' Freddie "No Goals" Sears! So dearest Marcus Evans, while I know you don't have the slightest clue about football nor about running a football the "right way", still I succumb (in pure desperation of course!) to beg of you to please please: A) Either fire the still utterly spiteful towards the fans,utterly incompetent, utterly unmotivated & utterly demotivating 'Freewheeling Muck' NOW!!! As inherently there simply is not ONE single point or even half decent argument to him staying on here to the end of game no. 46!!! B) Or if you & your reported £ 700+ mill net worth for some INEXPLICABLE reason can't afford/find the seemingly very 'pocket-change' like amount it will cost you to kick out Muck now, well then please to the *Next-Best* thing: And that is be a "Man" darnit! & BE TRUE to own words & promises in your otherwise not remotely materializing yet and therefore quite hollow-sounding "5-POINT-PLAN' ...and simply outright ORDER Muck to give our exciting sounding and DEFINITELY much more eager & motivated (than many of Muck's beloved & undroppable 'Proper Blokes') youngster a FAIR chance to prove their *current* worth, incl. to the new manager (who will surely be thoroughly studying the ITFC player material sooner or later incl. on tape) the rest of the way in this 'going-nowhere' 2017/2018 campaign ...and that additionally OBVIOUSLY also involves you instructing Muck to stop starting or even just stupefyingly stuff the game squad with all them "Loanees" this soon to be dino-free club will not be bringing back anyway! Thank You! Oh as for today's game itself, I didn't watch & spend any money on it, in pure hindsight: "THANKFULLY!" I might add :-D :-D, cause from various sources I gather that in general in was as excruciatingly uninspiring & dreadful an "ordeal" between two poorly, quality bereft & offensively inept looking teams as hmmmm getting a root-canal job done on no anesthetics!!! :-) lol :-)

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ronnyd added 18:46 - Mar 31 In any other business McCarthy would have been escorted to his office by security, cleared his desk, handed over his car keys and escorted out again.
20

Swn98 added 18:46 - Mar 31 Agree Woodford TIm not much point in him staying think he might go after monday's game.
12

haircut101 added 18:52 - Mar 31 surely the tedious ,dull,obstinate,arrogant man should go now. there is no point staying, the fans will get more and more angry as this awful season drags to a close and maybe chase him out of town after the Boro' match. Put a caretaker in such as Mick Mills or Terry Butcher. Someone who is passionate about our club.
17

grumpyoldman added 18:53 - Mar 31 Hell things are strange at the moment I actually agree with Swn98, I am also looking forward to next season when my self imposed exile can end. I will not be reading MMs comments as he is now irrelevant to me and anybody else who cares about Ipswich.
14

dirtydingusmagee added 18:57 - Mar 31 so whats the views of of yet another dire display El Cono ?,our semi resident la liga pundit.
0

Swn98 added 19:05 - Mar 31 Yes grumps think we should all calm down come together and get back behind our team, as i've said before when taking untold abuse for actually supporting the team and manager, Managers come and go yet we will still be here,
10

Swn98 added 19:08 - Mar 31 Please read my reply to Grumpyoldman Dirty.
1

blueboy1981 added 19:12 - Mar 31 Same old - today. What is the point of him staying until the end of the season ? Brian Klug takes the reigns until a new Manager is appointed, is a much more sensible and logical arrangement. At least we could see some attacking play, and youngsters given a chance - What is there to lose in doing so ? - absolutely nothing to gain by him staying ... !!
16

runaround added 19:15 - Mar 31 Sounds like a typical performance & result from Town of late. Reading some of the neutral reports it seems as usual we sat back & left it far too late to really give it a go. Mick Mills' comments after the game were spot on, we just don't go for it enough. He said we had enough to beat Birmingham but don't go for it. I know we have injuries but it's exactly these negative tactics that have turned fans away! We can't go up or down, Mick is leaving, why not go for it a bit? For me Mexit cannot comes soon enough

15

massivemole added 19:17 - Mar 31 Only 45 out of 62 turnstiles open for the millwall game. Depressing times.
9

dirtydingusmagee added 19:24 - Mar 31 agreed blueboy, we may as well play the youngsters and see where they are at,before next season, if we lose games it will not be of any consequence now,but at least they will have gained genuine experience,and can be assessed .Seeing out the remaining games with a manager who is no longer interested and has no flare or real desire to win is a pointless waste of valuable time .Like him or loathe him he is now surplus to requirements .

10

poldark added 19:42 - Mar 31 Poor old Swin lost his mate and the majority of real Town fans got what they wanted he must feel very low so we must all be supportive
0

blueboy1981 added 19:43 - Mar 31 Maurice Steyn - get him in to work alongside someone from within until the end of the season. Worth a punt for sure. This guy never worries about the opposition - his philosophy of let them worry about us is spot on. Ultra caution never achieved much in any aspect of life.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 19:44 - Mar 31 Lol! Best you re-read it then Swan98 or whatever your name is!! 🤣🤣🤣
2

Grumpyoldgit added 19:52 - Mar 31 Unfortunately it benefits no one to keep Mick at the club a moment longer. Only Ipswich could find a way of dragging a painful season out even more painfully.What's the point.? The decisions been made so just let him go and promote someone within the club to see the season out. Mick,the fans the whole club look tired. Roll on the summer
12

Northstandveteran added 20:05 - Mar 31 Any chance of a poll on here to see what the fans choice is? The Dutchman for me. Liking the Klug input blueboy
5

black_shuck added 20:15 - Mar 31 "Look, matey, I know a dead parrot when I see one, and I'm looking at one right now."
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ronnyd added 20:25 - Mar 31 He,s not dead, he,s resting.
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