IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell was disappointed, but not too disheartened, by his side’s 2-1 home defeat to Leicester City yesterday.

The Blues dominated the first half, took the lead through Jason Scotland, but a mistake by keeper Arran Lee-Barrett allowed Ben Marshall to equalise on the stroke of half-time.

Then, just like at Watford and Derby last month, a limp second half display followed, with bogey man David Nugent almost inevitably getting the Foxes’ winner.

Town remain 15th in the Championship table with four games to go following their first defeat at Portman Road in nine matches, However, Jewell remains encouraged by his side’s vast improvement in 2012.

“It wasn’t so long ago we would have been pleased to have a comfortable mid-table finish,” said the Blues boss. “At one stage we couldn’t even draw a game and were looking very much at a relegation battle.

“That’s 28 points we’ve got out of the last 14 games now though – that’s not far off the sort of form that can win you the league.

“I’m not saying we will win the league next year, I’m just saying let’s put things into perspective. It was a disappointing second half today, but we’ve lost to a team that cost an awful lot of money to put together.

“If they don’t go up next season, I think they’re a certainty to go up next season with the squad they’ve got.

“This is a disappointing day, but we have made progress. I know there is a lot of work ahead, but there are encouraging signs and hopefully we can come back after the summer stronger.”