DESPITE the 2-1 defeat at Charlton Blues boss Jim Magilton was pleased with the spirit of his side and much of Town's performance at the Valley.

Derek Davis

DESPITE the 2-1 defeat at Charlton Blues boss Jim Magilton was pleased with the spirit of his side and much of Town's performance at the Valley.

Ipswich went behind to a Nicky Bailey 25-yard free kick after just six minutes.

But after a reshuffle Town equalised when a Jon Walters' cross following good play from substitute Pablo Counago, was turned into his own net by Martin Cranie, with John Stead breathing down his neck.

Town looked to be gaining the upper hand by halftime but a second half own goal by Moritz Volz gave Charlton victory.

Magilton said: “After the slow start we knew Charlton were going to come on to us.

“I will have to look at the free kick because I don't think the keeper should be beaten from there at his far post.

“Then we got a foothold in the game and passed the ball. We put then under the pressure and ended up scoring a good goal.

“At half-time I felt if could just increase our quality and our composure then we could go and win it but that wasn't the case.”

Instead a Darren Ambrose cross was met by Haneur Bouazza and it rebounded off Volz to loop over Richard Wright.

Magilton said: “It was a poor second goal to give away. A Premier League defender beaten on the wrong side and it came off him for an own goal.”

But Magilton still saw enough good things to be encouraged, especially after his side twice hit the woodwork through Iván Campo and Alan Quinn.

He said: “We showed a real desire to get a result. Okay Charlton were defending the lead but we kept pushing.

“This was a bad result but another decent away performance and we can take heart from that.”

Tommy Miller went off with a hip injury and David Norris also took a hefty knock but finished the game.

Magilton added: “I welcome the break. It is a long Championship season it gives us chance to recharge and regroup.”