SUCH was the manner of the 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United that Blues boss Jim Magilton even came close to admitting the play-offs were out of reach.

Derek Davis

SUCH was the manner of the 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United that Blues boss Jim Magilton even came close to admitting the play-offs were out of reach.

Former Colchester United youngster Greg Halford scored the opener and Darius Henderson took advantage of poor defending to nod in a second.

Magilton said: “I very much doubt we can make the play-offs now. We will keep going and I won't allow us to stroll for the rest but we are going to have to play a lot better than that if we are to stand any chance.”

Town fans once more chanted 'you don't know what you are doing' to Magilton when he made a double substitution in the second half as Town went to just one win in seven games.

Magilton said: “Let them get on with it. I know what I'm doing.”

It could have been worse for the Blues with Jamie Ward hitting a post and Richard Wright making a couple of decent saves.

Town held their own in the second half and Paddy Kenny twice made good saves from Pim Balkestein headers.