Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy hailed his side’s fighting spirit after Jordan Spence netted a late leveller in this afternoon’s 2-2 draw at Hull City.

The Blues led through David McGoldrick’s early strike, but goals from Jarrod Bowen (34) and Nouha Dicko (51) turned the game on its head. McGoldrick then had a penalty saved by keeper Allan McGregor (74) before Spence stabbed home an 88th minute equaliser.

“It’s a valuable point, a well-earned point – I don’t think we’ve nicked anything by any stretch of the imagination,” said McCarthy, whose side are a point off the Championship play-off places following their first league stalemate in 23 games.

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“I thought we started well and I thought we let them off the hook in the first 20 minutes or so, then they got into it.

“They’ll complain about the goals they conceded and I’ll complain about the goals we conceded because that’s always the way.

“First half they had more possession, but we were organised and disciplined. Second half it was a far more open game without either keeper having lots of shots to save.

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“What pleases me is that having had the penalty saved, which generally knocks the stuffing out of a team, we responded. Their crowd were up, their bench were up and they think they are going to win then, but my lads kept going, which was great. I think we got the point that we deserved.”

With this the 10th point Town have claimed from losing positions this season, McCarthy continued: “We’ve been at Barnsley were we’ve been 1-0 down and won 2-1, we’ve been at Burton where we were 1-0 down and won 2-1. You know there’s a good team spirit.

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“That fighting spirit has been evident in my teams wherever I’ve been. We might not be the best, but we keep going. It’s a very endearing quality to have.”

He added: “It was a good performance away from home. We’ve all put a really good shift in. Everyone has contributed to it, including the subs who came on. It’s a deserved point.”

Fiery Town striker Joe Garner escaped with a long talking to from the referee in the second half after he’d grappled with Michael Hector. That incident came just seconds after the front man had been being booked for a robust collision.

“That’s the way he plays and I love him for it!” said McCarthy. “They were all screaming for a sending off, which was bonkers, and I thought the referee handled it well.”

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Town are next in action against Sheffield Wednesday in a Sky televised game at Portman Road on Wednesday night, followed by quickfire trips to Aston Villa and Derby.