IPSWICH Town boss Roy Keane believed that his players deserved a lot better, following the heartbreak of conceding a last-minute goal at Barnsley.Town were on course for a deserved draw, until Jon Macken drilled home in the fifth and final minute of injury-time to hand the Tykes a 2-1 win.

Carl Marston

IPSWICH Town boss Roy Keane believed that his players deserved a lot better, following the heartbreak of conceding a last-minute goal at Barnsley.

Town were on course for a deserved draw, until Jon Macken drilled home in the fifth and final minute of injury-time to hand the Tykes a 2-1 win.

Town are now cast adrift at the bottom of the table, five points away from safety, after no wins in 11 league games.

“We're stuck in a rut, so we have to try and get out of it,” admitted Keane.

The Irishman reserved his main gripe for referee Phil Gibbs, not his players.

Keane was incensed with Mr Gibbs' performance, and in particular his two decisions to award Barnsley a penalty (Tommy Smith's alleged trip on Iain Hume) and then the last-gasp free kick that led to the winning goal.

“We deserve better. There's not too much I can say to the players, because their desire and attitude cannot be faulted,” continued Keane.

“But some things are out of our control. What about their penalty? I had never seen anything like it in my career! I was very disappointed with that decision.

“I have asked to see the referee, because I want to ask him why he gave that decision. I'm entitled to do that. Our lives depend on such decisions.”