BLUES boss Jim Magilton is looking for his side to take something from their splendid performance at Chelsea and prove they are motivated for promotion when they go to Barnsley on Tuesday night.

Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton is looking for his side to take something from their splendid performance at Chelsea and prove they are motivated for promotion when they go to Barnsley on Tuesday night.

Although they went down 3-1 to Chelsea they had the consolation of going in at half time one each, after Alex Bruce equalised a Michael Ballack opener.

A Ballack free kick and one from Frank Lampard sealed the FA Cup win for Chelsea but Magilton was proud of his side's effort in front of 6,000 vociferous Town fans.

He said: “We gave a really good account of ourselves. This result won't define our season.

“The players should be even more motivated to get promoted. They got taste of it. They came here in a marvellous setting against a fantastic side and I want them to have desire to get promoted and have this every week.

“The proof of the pudding will be Tuesday night at Barnsley. That will tell me more about my players than today will.”

Chelsea deserved the win but Town had other chances as well.

Magilton said: “We had some really good opportunities. We were better first half and scored a good goal from a set piece. We had one or two other moments where if we had taken better care of the ball we may have got something more but we are very pleased.”

The margin of the win did not surprise Magilton who accepted Chelsea were a class apart.

He said: “They have world class players and if you give them time and opportunity then they will punish you and they did so I was not surprised.

“It was important we took something from the game and our pride is still intact.”

derek.davis@archant.co.uk