BLUES boss Jim Magilton blamed defensive errors for the 2-1 loss against Cardiff City that ended a nine-game unbeaten run at Portman Road.

Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton blamed defensive errors for the 2-1 loss against Cardiff City that ended a nine-game unbeaten run at Portman Road.

Jay Bothroyd put City ahead on eight minutes and poor defending cost the Blues once more as defender Gabor Gyepes made it two.

Jon Stead pulled one back for Ipswich but when Ben Thatcher was sent off for a second bookable offence on 66 minutes that effectively ended Town's hopes of snatching a point.

Magilton said: “We started brightly and Darren Ambrose had a couple of good opportunities and Cardiff put their bodies on the line to deny us.

“They weathered the early storm and came back at us. In all honesty they didn't have to work hard for their goals.

“We got punished for two costly errors and you just can't give anybody chances like that.

“We forced our way back in the game with Ben Thatcher showing a real desire to get the ball back and we showed quality for the goal.

“At half time it was a case of Wednesday night when we beat Bristol City but instead we petered out and didn't show the same intensity and that was extremely disappointing.

“The sending off made it even more difficult although we gave it a go.

“We went 4-3-2 to try and be positive and try to exploit Danny Haynes pace but they saw the game out.”

Magilton had little sympathy for defender Thatcher who was sent off on his return with David Wright out with a chest infection.

He said: “With the first booking he got a bit of ball but the second was a silly booking.”