IPSWICH Town's hopes of a Premiership return were finally dashed by West Ham last night.The Blues' 2-0 play-off semi-final defeat at Upton Park condemned them to another season in the Nationwide League.

IPSWICH Town's hopes of a Premiership return were finally dashed by West Ham last night.

The Blues' 2-0 play-off semi-final defeat at Upton Park condemned them to another season in the Nationwide League.

And devastated Town boss Joe Royle admitted: “I wish now that we had finished seventh.”

Second-half goals from Matthew Etherington and Christian Dailly enabled the Hammers to overhaul Ipswich's lead in the tie provided by Darren Bent's header in the Portman Road first leg.

And that robbed Royle's men of the chance to face Crystal Palace in the final at the Millennium Stadium.

Royle said: “We have been scoring for fun this season at times but when we needed a goal we couldn't find one.

“Our lads were honest on the night but they did not play. For one reason or another too many of them froze and it was not a good display.”

FULL REPORT & REACTION IN TONIGHT'S EVENING STAR