LIAM Trotter today reflected on a gilt-edged chance that should have brought Ipswich Town a welcome and timely victory at Barnsley on Saturday.

Elvin King

LIAM Trotter today reflected in a gilt-edged chance that should have brought Ipswich Town a welcome and timely victory at Barnsley on Saturday.

He shot over in the 64th minute when alone in front of goal and the score at 1-1.

The Ipswich-born midfielder was left to reflect on Jon Macken's 96th minute heartbreaking winner for the home side, and said: “I let everybody down, myself included.

“If that had gone in we would have won, I am sure.

“I tried to place the ball and keep it down in the corner, but it came off my foot and flew over.

“I felt terrible as it was a great chance.”

And an honest Trotter admits the Blues are now in the middle of a relegation battle.

“There is no doubt about that,” he said. “We are where we are and there is no getting away from that.

“And until we start picking up points we will stay bottom of the table.

“We cannot say we are in a false position as though we have not had the best of fortune we have conceded bad goals and missed chances at the other end.

“It all adds up to where we find ourselves, and you get what you deserve in football.

“It is now about grinding out our oh-so-important first win - and as soon as possible.”

Trotter looks ahead with hope, however.

“The manager's last three signings have all added a great deal and this is something to keep our fans positive,” he said.

“It was devastating to concede another late goal. We worked so hard only to lose in the last 30 seconds, and for the second game running. It is killing us.

“It was certainly not a free-kick that led to their late goal as their player backed into Tommy (Smith).

“And the penalty they got was when their player went to jump over Tommy and fell over. He admitted it himself and no one appealed for a spot kick, but as they missed justice was done.

“Now we must take the most we can from the two-week break and - no ifs and buts - then pick up points from a few wins.

“It would be a long season if we felt at this point that we could not get climb up the table. There is no doubt in everybody's minds that we can.”

Town's goalscorer Liam Rosenior was one of the players required to take a statutory drugs test after the game.