BARNSLEY might have given Ipswich some late scares during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Portman Road.

But Tykes boss Keith Hill believes the best side won after the visitors had no answer to Town’s strong start to the second half.

Daryl Murphy gave the hosts a 49th minute lead before the striker and Lee Martin wasted glorious one-on-one efforts.

Asked if he felt his side deserved a point after Arran Lee-Barrett was tested near the end, Hill answered: “It would have been harsh on the opposition with the way they started the second half.

“They huffed and puffed in the first half with a lot of long-distance speculative shots on goal. But the way we started the second half was disappointing from our point of view but encouraging for Ipswich.”

The Barnsley manager was unimpressed by the manner of Murphy’s winner and by his own players’ inability to largely break down a mean Town defence.

He added: “The manner in which they scored the goal was disappointing from a defensive point of view but after that on the counter attack, maybe they should have sealed it more comfortably.

“I can’t be too disappointed with the courage, effort and commitment my players showed, but we are not making good decisions in the final third.

“We didn’t pick the right passes going forward – too often we were hitting the front defender, whether that was Smith or Delaney.”

Having heaped praise on Ipswich before the game, Hill added: “We played against an excellent side whose current form is excellent, especially at home. There is no disgrace losing here.”