Ryan Fraser was pleased with Ipswich Town’s response after heading in at half-time a goal and a man down, but admitted the Blues were punished for not taking their chances in the 3-0 loss at Birmingham.

Home debutant Will Buckley gave City the lead before Jonathan Douglas was sent off for a late lunge at the end of the first half, before Jon Toral and Maikel Kieftenbeld both scored long-range efforts to send the Blues home pointless.

While Fraser insisted the scoreline flattered the home side, the winger was pleased with the way his side looked to battle back into the game before eventually being killed off.

“First half they were much better than us, they got their goal then they got a man sent off but, second-half, they didn’t deserve the two goals they got,” he said.

“They scored two worldies, two volleys which were unstoppable, but we had a lot of chances.

“If we’d buried one before they got their second then I’m sure it would have been a different result.

“I’m pleased with the second half from the boys but we need to do better in the first half.

“We must have had nine chances in the second-half, not exactly hard chances either and we could have done better with them, but we’re getting in positions and the gaffer was really pleased with us second-half because we kept going.

“The first half was disappointing because we didn’t press as much as we wanted to and didn’t fight as much as we wanted to, because we knew it was going to be a big game.

“But second-half we had a right go.”

The winger was also in a good position to see the challenge which led to the dismissal of Douglas, but was frustrated by the confusion caused by referee Michael Bull.

He said: “I was right beside it, it was difficult because the referee said straight away it two two-footed,” he said,

“Chambo (Luke Chambers) and I knew it wasn’t two-footed so I asked him and said ‘if you’re seeing that then you’ve got it wrong’

“He changed his vibe at half-time and said it was just reckless, changing his story every two minutes which was disappointing really.

“It was tough because Dougie’s been amazing this season and I’m sure he will come back stronger.”