THE explosive end to Ipswich Town's draw at Reading, which saw Jim Magilton and Shefki Kuqi clash, has been played down by players and manager.Town skipper Magilton and Finland international striker Kuqi had to be pulled apart and restrained by team-mates on the pitch following the final whistle at the Madejski Stadum.

THE explosive end to Ipswich Town's draw at Reading, which saw Jim Magilton and Shefki Kuqi clash, has been played down by players and

manager.

Town skipper Magilton and Finland international striker Kuqi had to be pulled apart and restrained by team-mates on the pitch following the final whistle at the Madejski Stadum.

But Blues boss Joe Royle dismissed the incident as: “A bit of male bonding, it was not a problem.”

Kuqi and Magilton both spoke to the EADT after the game and each wanted to forget the public

disagreement.

Kuqi said: “We had a bit of a conversation that was borne out of frustration. Everything is fine now, no problem.”

And Magilton added: “There is absolutely nothing to it. Shefki and I had a little pat on the back, that's all.”

The commitment and passion of the Town team could not be questioned but the disappointment showed even though Town have now gone nine games unbeaten away from home.

While many Town players were applauding the vocal 2,500 travelling Town fans, the squabbling between the two which had been going on during the game, spilled over.

In the end it was a defender, John McGreal, who salvaged a point with an equaliser, after Lloyd Owusu had given Reading the lead from a breakaway attack.

Scotland boss Bertie Vogts was in the crowd to watch Town's Tommy Miller and Reading trio Graeme Murty, Scott Murray, and Andy Hughes.

The game marked Richard Naylor's 200th appearance for Town since graduating from the Blues youth system.