‘Take the positives’ – McCarthy’s message after a night of kicks to the groin

David McGoldrick requires surgery on a deep gash after Owls skipper Glenn Loovens remarkably escaped unpunished for raking his studs down the front of the Blues striker early on.

Joe Garner (48) put the Blues in front, Gary Hooper levelled from the spot (64), before Martyn Waghorn’s super header (70) put Town on track for what looked to be a deserved victory prior to Atdhe Nuhiu’s stoppage-time equaliser.

“I thought we were different class,” said McCarthy. “It was a really positive performance, I’m delighted with the way we played, but obviously annoyed at not picking up three points and our naivety with two minutes to go.

“But listen, I can forgive them. If we play like that every week we’ll win more games than we lose.

Town players after conceding an injury time goal in the Ipswich Town v Sheffield Wednesday match. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

• WATCH: The challenge which left McGoldrick requiring surgery

“It should have been put in the stand, then there were six or seven little mistakes along the line too. They had a bit of quality too.

“It still rankles when you concede in the last minute, but I guess Leonid (Slutsky, Hull boss) was feeling the same after we scored late up there on Saturday. What goes around comes around I guess.

“But if anyone comes in with a big sad face on tomorrow then they can forget about it. We played well and we should take the positives out of it. Let’s go up to Villa and play like that again.”

Atdhe Nuhiu scores an injury time equaliser for Sheffield Wednesday in the 2-2 draw. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

• REPORT & PICS: Town 2 Sheffield Wednesday 2

On McGoldrick, who was subbed at the break, McCarthy said: “He’s got a gash. I’ve seen a picture of it and it’s long and deep. He’s going to need surgery, I believe.

“Its an appalling challenge. He didn’t mean it, but then if I’m sat here and I’ve got a gun in my pocket and I shoot one of you I wouldn’t have meant it because I was just standing up. Actually I might have meant it for a couple of you! I’d still be punished for it though.

• RATINGS: Andy Warren gives his grades“I had an unbelievable view of it and so did the fourth official right next to me. I’d love to call them assistants, but they have to assist. Its a non-decision, so I can’t call it an awful decision can I?“I’ve just been in to see (referee) Keith (Stroud). I’m the last person who wants to see yellow cards and red cards, but it’s a dreadful challenge and should have been punished as such.”He added: “I think he’s got two of Didz’s (McGoldrick) testicles on his boot, but let’s clear something up – we played better than them with eleven men, we should have beaten them with 11 men, and it’s our naïvety that’s cost us.”

Martyn Waghorn heads Town into a 2-1 lead. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)