Sheffield Weds v Ipswich: IPSWICH Town manager Mick McCarthy was more than happy with a hard-fought 1-1 away draw at Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon.

Town enjoyed the better of the first half and deservedly led through Jay Tabb’s opportunistic 12th minute opener, but Sheffield Wednesday – improved by the introduction of veteran target man Steve Howard – were the better team after the break and drew level through Leroy Lita’s powerful finish.

Once again, it was a largely scrappy affair with both teams looking to play long balls up to their powerful front men on a lively playing surface that made passing football difficult.

“There isn’t a bad away point,” said McCarthy. “We played well enough to be in front in the first half, but Dave (Jones) will argue they had the better of the second.

“I think he said they had a goal disallowed, no they didn’t, they had one in the net that was disallowed for offside. We had one that we felt was over the line, but it’s not a goal either.

“It was probably honours even in terms of playing and the result. We shouldn’t have even bothered – I’d have taken a point before we even started. Instead of kicking the **** out of each other we could have all just stayed at home!”

A draw puts Town in 14th-place, six points clear of the relegation zone with two games to play. Although not mathematically safe, it would take an incredible set of circumstances for the Blues to go down.

“There must be some equation somewhere (that shows we are mathematically safe),” joked McCarthy. “If somebody could up with one so I can enjoy my glass of win tonight and not think ‘if this happens and that happens’ please.

“It’s bonkers this league. There must be an equation. Peterborough have got to play these (Sheffield Wednesday), Barnsley have got Huddersfield. They’ll all playing each other. Somebody come up with the equation and print it so I can enjoy my Sunday.”

Owls boss Dave Jones – whose side are four points clear of the drop zone – said: “We didn’t really get going in the first half and I think bringing Stevie (Howard) on changed the game. We needed a focal point and a target man. You can’t get it down on the pitch and thread it through.

“Their intention was to get it forwards to the two big brutes up there (Daryl Murphy and Frank Nouble) and they did it well first half. We were probably the better team in the second half.

“I don’t know if he (Lery Lita) was offside (when a goal was disallowed). We’ll look at it again, but you win some and you don’t.

“If you’re not going to win the game, then make sure you don’t lose it at this stage of the season.

“It was a hard-earned fought and probably a fair result in the end.”

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