TIM Breacker, the Plymouth assistant manager, confirmed that the loss of manager Ian Holloway was a blow to Argyle's preparations.“It was not nice seeing him in so much pain, and kidney stones are the nearest equivalent men can get to giving birth,” he said.

By Elvin King

TIM Breacker, the Plymouth assistant manager, confirmed that the loss of manager Ian Holloway was a blow to Argyle's preparations.

“It was not nice seeing him in so much pain, and kidney stones are the nearest equivalent men can get to giving birth,” he said.

“I am not making excuses, but it did affect the players to witness him being taken to hospital.

“It was a tonic for Ian that we scored a leveller and he will soon be back in full flow.”

Looking back at the game, Breacker said: “We thought Ipswich might alter their system, but it did throw us a bit.

“We had a mountain to climb after being behind early and were getting frustrated when the penalty was awarded. You take your life in your own hands when you grab an opponent, and we were on the wrong side of a similar incident the previous Saturday.

“Once we scored I thought we would go on and win, but time ran out for us. We have not lost for eight games and can take out of the game many positives.”

Holloway had a go at Town manager Jim Magilton after it became public that Ipswich had inquired about Dave Norris.

But the Town boss has a soft spot for the larger-than-life Plymouth chief, and said of his illness: “It was a massive blow for them, and everybody at Ipswich wishes him well.”