BLUES boss Jim Magilton has called on his skipper Gareth McAuley to do more at set plays.

Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton has called on his skipper Gareth McAuley to do more at set plays.

McAuley powered in a header from a Tommy Miller corner that led to Town's equaliser against Sheffield Wednesday and Magilton wants more of the same from the Irish international.

Magilton said: “McAuley can do more for us at set pieces. When he shows a real desire to attack the ball in the manner he did he is hard to stop. He certainly did it for Leicester against us so I expect a bit more.”

Pablo Counago was on hand to knock in the rebound for his eighth goal of the season.

Magilton said: “I was delighted for Pablo taking a typical poacher's goal. We had enough shots but we pay big bucks and Sheffield Wednesday are a team we should beat at home.”

Magilton blamed a poor start to the second half for two points dropped as Ipswich's failure to win at home in the league for the third game in a row saw them slip even further behind the play-off pack.

Steve Watson headed in a Jermaine Johnson cross to give the Owls the lead six minutes after the break before Pablo Counago equalised from a Tommy Miller corner on 66 minutes after Lee Grant had saved Gareth McAuley's initial header.

Magilton said: “I was disappointed in the manner that Wednesday scored a goal but pleased that we got back in the game.

“It was an entertaining game of football in the first half. We were expressive and we showed desire to go and win the game and had opportunities.

“We just lacked real quality in the final third and could have done better with the final ball.

“We started the second half poorly and got punished. It was a poor goal but we came back into it.

“It is a point and keeps the run going.

“There are plenty of games to go. If we had won the game we would be talking differently. It is fine lines and if we can win three points next week the picture changes.”

Veliche Shumulikoski is expected back for the trip to Crystal Palace after serving a one-match ban and Iv�n Campo is a doubt with a calf strain.