Rotherham v Ipswich: Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy bemoaned his side’s slack marking after Rotherham twice scored from set-pieces to beat the Blues 2-0 at the New York Stadium this afternoon.

Daryl Murphy wasted two good chances in the opening 10 minutes before the relegation-battling Millers broke the deadlock with their first attempt of note – Matt Derbyshire nodding home from close-range in the 38th minute after Ben Pringle’s deep free-kick delivery was twice helped on by unchallenged players.

The Blues had once again looked short on offensive ideas but were sparked into life after Freddie Sears and Teddy Bishop replaced Paul Anderson and Jay Tabb seven minutes into the second half.

Luke Chambers’ powerful header was tipped over the bar by keeper Adam Collin and Murphy had a header cleared off the line by defender Zeki Fryers before Rotherham added a killer second in the 64th minute, former Blues loanee Conor Sammon lashing home after the Blues failed to deal with a corner from the left.

“We had the first couple of chances didn’t we?” said McCarthy. “Of all people they fall to Murph, the top-scorer in the division, and maybe you expect him to take them. He’s come back after his time away though (a one-game injury absence) and maybe that dulls the senses slightly.

“The game’s going nowhere and they score from a free-kick which is poor marking from us. Actually, when we conceded a second goal it’s after the best spell we had. They had a good save, they had one off the line, but if we defend like that and lose our markers then it will cost us.

“We let them get away from us from two set-pieces. There’s nothing special, strange or unusual about the deliveries – we should have dealt better with them.”

On recent Blues loanee Sammon, now on loan at Rotherham from Derby, getting a goal, McCarthy said: “It’s sod’s law. I thought Conor played well. It looked like he’s played games and is back at it. I’m disappointed he’s scored against us, but good luck to him because he’s a great lad.”

Town have slipped to fifth in the Championship table having claimed just four points from a possible 15 in 2015. See Monday’s EADT and Ipswich Star for McCarthy’s thoughts on this mid-season slump.