Blackburn v Ipswich: Luke Hyam left the Pennines with the belief that Ipswich should have taken a point from their visit to Blackburn Rovers.

A scrappy goal on the hour, Jordan Rhodes’ toe-poke diverting off Stephen Henderson’s head and into the net, was the difference between the teams in a game that was dire for the majority.

Town were workmanlike, while Rovers were nervous and all too often elected to punt hopeful balls forward which were snaffled up by Blues’ defensive duo, Tommy Smith and Luke Chambers.

Even after the goal and the subsequent lift in morale, Blackburn still showed little invention and while Rhodes went close with a hat-trick of chances as the game opened up, the visitors were unfortunate not to grab an equaliser when Guirane N’Daw’s volley went just wide as the game entered the final minute.

“All the lads and staff are really disappointed to lose as we did not deserve it,” said Hyam.

“I don’t see why we couldn’t have won, we had the better of a close game and should have at least got an equaliser at the back stick, right at the end (Richard Stearman’s header wide).

“It was a typical Championship game and whoever scored the first goal, it was going to give them a lift.

“After the goal, we began playing longer balls to try and get an equaliser but it wasn’t to be.”

A typical striker, Rhodes tried claiming the home side’s winner and Hyam believes he may have had a genuine claim.

But that was of little interest to the midfielder as Town’s defence once again paid the price for the slightest of mistakes.

“Cressie (Aaron Cresswell) cleared the ball off the line and I think Jordan Rhodes got a touch on it in the six-yard box and did what he does best,” said Hyam.

“He ran away celebrating as though he had scored the goal and we were gutted, as nine times out of ten we would have cleared the ball.

“You won’t see Jordan for 89 minutes and then he goes and does that.

“That was their only half-chance up to that point which is really disappointing.”

Victories for Barnsley, Bristol City and Peterborough, below the Blues, means Mick McCarthy’s men are just a point and two places clear of safety.

Ahead of them are two crucial home games, against mid-table Blackpool, on Saturday and then play-off chasing Watford, next Tuesday.

Town will go in search of their first home win against the Hornets for nine years and only a second win, home or away, in 14 league games.

As for Blackpool, there is the small matter of banishing the memories of the 6-0 thumping the Tangerines dished out to the Blues back in August.

“We will learn from the Blackburn game and get ready to go again on Saturday and hopefully pick up three points,” said Hyam.

“Mick (McCarthy) and Terry Connor will get us going again.”