Ipswich Town may have gone the whole of pre-season unbeaten, but manager Mick McCarthy was left disappointed after this afternoon’s 1-1 draw at League One side Leyton Orient.

Centre-back Tommy Smith and Paul Anderson both missed out with groin and hamstring problems respectively, while Jonathan parr limped off with a sore groin.

Town were outplayed in the first half, despite leading through Balint Bajner’s ninth minute goal, and were pegged back in the final minute when Alex Henshall conceded a soft penalty which Lloyd James converted.

Asked for his assessment of the match, McCarthy – after a thoughtful pause – launched into a lengthy reply. He said: “I thought we got slapped in the first half. We went in 1-0 up and don’t know how. Actually I do know, because we defended all right for the main part and Gerks (Dean Gerken) made a great save.

“Second half I thought we were much better, I thought we were the better team, their keeper makes a good save and then we got milky, sloppy and just rubbish in the last minute. It cost us a goal and I don’t like it.

“There were seven or eight mistakes. We should have got it in the corner and kept it. I’m not bothered if it’s a pre-season friendly, if we did that at Leeds or on a Tuesday night away when we’re winning 1-0 I’m going to be killing somebody for those mistakes.

“We might as well learn now. They’ve just had it in their earholes in there.”

On Bajner, who scored his second goal in as many games, starting alongside Daryl Murphy up front, McCarthy said: “I think he was knackered. He’s worked hard all week, he’s not had a full pre-season and I don’t think we saw the best of him in terms of his all-round performance – but he scored. That’s a nice habit.”

David McGoldrick – who injured his cruciate knee ligaments back in February – came on at half-time and played virtually the entire second period, showing some glimpses of his magic with one fine outside of the boot pass and a trademark body swerve in the box.

“Didz is great,” said McCarthy. “It was lovely to have him back on because he helps us play. We persevered playing it up to the front two in the first half and it was horrible. Then, second half, after I’d had words, we played on the inside with Skuesy (Cole Skuse) and Luke (Hyam) and tried to play into the front men. It was a much better performance and of course Didz does that much better than anybody.”

Asked about the absence of Smith and Anderson, he said: “Little niggles. They’ve got a groin and a tight hamstring (respectively). They should be fine for next Saturday (Championship opener against Fulham at Portman Road).

“Jonny Parr came off with a sore groin. We’ve had no injuries (all pre-season) but seem to be picking them up now. (Will Parr be ready for next weekend?) I don’t know yet, you don’t know when they’ve just come off. He’ll be assessed tonight.”

Paul Taylor was another absentee from Town’s 21-man squad at Brisbane Road, McCarthy saying: “He’s available for transfer or a loan – he won’t be playing for me.

“It’s just that, he’s not for me. That was made clear at the end of last season so I’m not saying anything I haven’t already said. It’s not a case of ‘oh, that’s a good story’.

“I thought I’ll have a look, assess it and I have to say he came back really fit, but he’s just not for me.”

He added: “I was a lot happier last week when we had no injuries, but now we’ve got Tommy Smith, (Paul) Anderson and Jonny Parr with little knocks.

“That’s disappointing, but pre-season has gone alright. We should have seen that game out today though. It was just a rubbish penalty to give away.”

– See Monday’s EADT and Ipswich Star for more reaction.