Town boss Kieran McKenna said he was proud of his players’ performance as skipper Sam Morsy’s injury-time deflected goal claimed what he felt was a deserved 1-1 draw with Championship leaders Leicester City.

Stephy Mavididi put the Foxes ahead in the 24th minute but the Blues spent the second half knocking on the door before Morsy’s strike found the net off both Leicester skipper Ricardo and Danish international defender Jannik Vestergaard.

Asked whether he felt a point was the least his side deserved to take from the match, McKenna said: “I thought so. I thought it was a really good game against a really strong opponent.

“I was proud of the performance. If we hadn’t had got the goal, I still would have been proud of the performance.

“I really like the character that we’ve shown, I liked the quality of our play. Of course, it’s hard to create lots of really good chances against Leicester, they’re such a good defensive team.

“And I thought our press and our work-rate off the ball was outstanding as well. So I thought it was a good performance, a really good performance in a good game and I thought we were at least fair value for the point that we got.”

Having lost 4-0 to one of the other top-of-the-table teams, Leeds, on Saturday, McKenna felt grabbing the point to back up the positive display ought to give his side a psychological boost.

“It should be,” he reflected. “I think it’s a good reinforcement. We’ve had plenty of them this season, to be honest, but against the best team in the league this season, it’s another good reinforcement of the identity as a team that we’re building, our style of play, our culture, our principles on and off the ball.

“And the individual improvement of our players, so many of them were here last year playing against Oxford, and that was a tough game. We’ve come a long way.

“I think in terms of performance, it’s a reinforcement of the journey that we’ve made to this point but also the game showed that we’ve got a lot of improving to go.

“To be honest, we had enough moments in the game that if our execution is better, then we win the game.

“It’s a really good reinforcement but plenty in the game to show that we’re still improving, we still need to keep improving and that’s the journey that we want to continue.”

Both sides might have had penalties in the second half with Leif Davis appearing to be caught late by Abdul Fatawu, while at the other end Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall went to ground under the attention of Cameron Burgess as a ball ran through to keeper Vaclav Hladky.

“I didn’t see anything at the time that I thought was absolutely crystal,” McKenna said when asked about the incidents.

“I didn’t think theirs was but, there you go, that’s a manager remembering the one that wasn’t, if you mean the one when Cameron stepped across Dewsbury-Hall.

“I thought he used his body well and stepped across him and let the ball run across both their paths.

“I thought the referee managed the game well in general. I haven’t seen any other key incidents back.”

Photo: TWTD

pennblue added 23:52 - Dec 26 Such an enjoyable evening, great entertainment again and a great team performance. Defended well in the second half i thought
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billlm added 00:06 - Dec 27 Fab game were there dogs bollicks, Can't agree with the ref some good qualities but swayed leicesters way
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Suffolkboy added 01:01 - Dec 27 K M not afraid to clearly speak of moments demonstrating ITFC still need to improve . ( Unless reporting amiss, scoring from corners, accurate headers close to goal are proving frustratingly regular ‘failings’ ). He’s also keenly aware of aspects of play where improvement remains key; and of areas where strengthening becomes vital . What a fascinating challenge/ conundrum for ITFC to meet : BUT we are so so fortunate to have a Management group with focus and unity ! Keep it up into 2024 - COYB

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mikeybloo88 added 07:53 - Dec 27 Like KM’s subliminal message about reinforcements...hope Ashton was watching
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John_Grose added 08:37 - Dec 27 If Hirst injury is going to keep him out for a while then a new first choice striker is an absolute must. Kayden and Freddie are decent squad players but will not get us promoted
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jonnysuave added 08:40 - Dec 27 We deserved everything from that, the commitment and belief in our team is exceptional. One thing stood out is that Leicester showed a Premiership standard of smart defending, breaking down our attacks early, good interceptions, blocks and all. We never look that composed and that's why I hope we get another season to prepare for the Prem. The last two games showed we need more quality at the back and pace in midfield. With good teams going up and poor teams coming down from the Prem at the end of this season, next years league is the time to do it. Yours sincerely Suave

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ArnieM added 10:02 - Dec 27 Bloody outstanding to a man! Well played lads : REALLY proud of our team/ squad/ Club .
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Cadiar added 10:23 - Dec 27 What a brilliant second half against an excellent team despite losing GH so early which is worrying as no obvious replacement. What has shown is the quality of the players the relegated have, we really shouldn't even be competing with them but we are. The transfer window is going to be very important and interesting. I thought our game went up a notch when Luongo came on, hugely important player along with Morsy but both now the wrong side of 30.

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Linkboy13 added 10:57 - Dec 27 Luongo struggles with two games a week in the championship and needs to be rested and will be back for QPR on Friday also i think Broadhead will be back. Playing two number tens against the likes of Leicester leaves us weak defensively and bearing in mind we were playing a very good side last night we looked reasonably secure. Those of us will know who have been in the game you don't just defend in the last third you defend all over the pitch.

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Marinersnose added 11:59 - Dec 27 Valid points regarding Luongo. He is such an important player for the team and when he is absent the team doesn’t operate as effectively as there isn’t a ready made replacement. Age isn’t on his side same goes for Morsy but both are key for positive results. Town showed real character against a brilliant Leicester team. To get a point is a well deserved and huge achievement. Town are so well coached but many are playing at their maximum which is agin a McKenna requirement. Strikers now required who suit the system as neither back up striker are sufficiently equipped to play the Hirst role. Priority is also a new deal for Hladky who was again excellent last night with his reading of the game and positioning.

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