IPSWICH Town star Georges Santos today urged the jolted Blues to follow the example of Manchester United.Town's stunning Nationwide League First Division run came to a halt in Saturday's shock 4-3 home defeat at the hands of lowly Gillingham.

By Dave Allard

IPSWICH Town star Georges Santos today urged the jolted Blues to follow the example of Manchester United.

Town's stunning Nationwide League First Division run came to a halt in Saturday's shock 4-3 home defeat at the hands of lowly Gillingham.

A last-gasp goal from Gills' substitute Mark Saunders ensured Town boss Joe Royle – the newly-crowned October manager of the month – began November with a loss.

But Santos believes Ipswich can draw inspiration from the Premiership champions as they bid to bounce back.

"Manchester United have come back so well after a very bad day and so can we," said the big French defender.

"We play good football in our division and Manchester United do in theirs. The Saturday before last United lost 3-1 at home to Fulham and there was all sorts of talk about why this and why that.

"Then look what happened – they had a midweek Carling Cup win away at big rivals Leeds, followed by a convincing victory over Portsmouth on Saturday at Old Trafford.

"United put a bad afternoon behind them and showed great character to bounce back straight away with two excellent results.

"We have to do the same and I'm sure we can."

Santos added: "We know we let ourselves down against Gillingham, but now we have to forget it.

"There are no easy games in this First Division and Gillingham showed us that in no uncertain terms. We defended badly for their goals but we didn't knit together well as a team and gave the ball away too much."

Town found themselves 3-1 down but pulled back to 3-3 before Saunders' 90th minute strike.

Santos said: "I take nothing away from Gillingham, but I think we should have had at least a draw from the game."

Town now look ahead to next Saturday's trip to lowly Derby, managed by former boss George Burley and beaten 3-0 by weekend hosts Preston. Ipswich will be without the services of the suspended Richard Naylor and Chris Bart-Williams.

There will be a service of thanksgiving for former Town director and vice-president Ken Brightwell at Rushmere St Andrew Church on Friday at 3.30pm. Before Saturday's game with Gillingham there was a minute's silence in memory of him.