Sheffield Weds v Ipswich: Blues boss Mick McCarthy says he was delighted to see his side grind out a scrappy 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon.

Town are still without an away win this season, with three draws and three defeats to their name.

However, having thrown away a 4-1 half-time lead in Tuesday night’s frenetic 4-4 draw at Derby, McCarthy was more than happy for his side to show steel rather than style at Hillsborough – Paul Anderson’s 12th minute opener cancelled out quickly by Michail Antonio’s header.

“I’m delighted with the point,” said the Blues boss.

“I thought we were excellent in the first half and I think we’ve had to show a different side to us in the second half in terms of defending and being a bit tougher and resolute.

“Coming off the back of the second half on Tuesday (in which a 4-1 lead was let slip at Derby) I thought we defended well.

“On the back of Tuesday that was always going to be a question mark, going out and staying strong. My players were excellent, showed there was no hangover and that it (the 4-4 draw) was a one off.”

Cole Skuse hit the post with a fine 25-yard shot in the first half, while Jermaine Johnson rattled the crossbar for the hosts in the second period.

Both keepers – Dean Gerken and Chris Kirkland – made some good saves too, albeit in a fairly turgid encounter. As a result, McCarthy feels a draw was probably the fair outcome.

“It’s ifs, buts and maybes isn’t it?” said the Blues boss, reflecting on Skuse’s first half effort.

“If we score to make it 2-1 who knows what happens? I think it would have silenced the crowd, but likewise, if they’d have scored (when Johnson hit the bar) it probably would have ended up 2-1 to them.

“Our chance was considerably earlier though and would have changed the course of the game completely. Anyway, it didn’t (go in) and I’m delighted with the point.”

– See Monday’s EADT and Ipswich Star match comment and more reaction.