BLUES boss Jim Magilton answered his critics after last night's 1-1 Coca-Cola Championship draw with Sheffield United when he said: “We have made huge strides in the last year.

Elvin King

BLUES boss Jim Magilton answered his critics after last night's 1-1 Coca-Cola Championship draw with Sheffield United when he said: “We have made huge strides in the last year.”

But he admitted that his players did not have enough craft or guile to gain a vital three points against lowly opponents.

“We didn't score early and fizzled out after a bright start,” added Magilton. “And our fans appeared to fizzle out with us.

“We gave the ball away too cheaply for their goal, which was poor from our point of view.

“In the second half we showed a lot of character and I thought we'd go on to win.

“Overall it wasn't a game for the purists. I can't fault our effort but we lacked a bit of composure and quality and just didn't have enough in our locker.

“We had the capacity to hurt them but just didn't have enough craft or guile and looked a bit leg weary at times.

“We were looking for something different to happen and make the difference. But it never arrived.”

Blades boss Kevin Blackwell thought his side was denied a clear-cut penalty.

He said: “I came very close to getting my first win. It's been a tough start but the players responded brilliantly after losing 2-0 against Charlton on Saturday.

“We were abject in that game but much better and we knew we had to compete otherwise we'd get rolled over.

“I was very pleased with the players' attitudes after questions were asked at the weekend and we maybe edged the game slightly.

“When Rob Hulse was pushed it looked a certain penalty to me, and we created chances to have won the three points.”

n TOWN manager Jim Magilton has been charged with a breach of FA rule E3 - use of abusive and/or insulting words - during Town's 1-0 defeat at Stoke on February 23.

He was sent to the stands for complaining about the multi-ball system, and will not be appealing.

In November, Magilton was fined by the FA for using abusive words to a referee after a game at Burnley - but escaped a touchline ban.