How the Irish fared: Ipswich missing Daryl Murphy

Daryl Murphy’s importance to the Ipswich cause was brought into sharp focus at the weekend.

With the striker absent through injury, the Tractor Boys were held to a scoreless draw by struggling Wigan.

Though still in fourth, the stalemate meant Ipswich lost ground on Bournemouth and Derby and manager Mick McCarthy admitted his side had missed Murphy, the league’s top scorer with 18 goals.

“Of course,” McCarthy conceded, when asked if Murphy’s absence had hurt his side. “We didn’t have that power up front, that aerial ability and ability to hold it up. Just that threat Murph poses, his all-round ability and pace and strength. We missed that.”

Much has been made of the heroics produced by McCarthy this season, with Ipswich in the promotion mix despite the former Ireland manager spending a mere €13,000. However, they have won just one of their six games in 2015 and there was a smattering of boos at Portman Road after Saturday’s game.

McCarthy, pictured, was unperturbed by criticism of a game that he conceded was “rubbish” but insisted the point could prove invaluable.

Reflecting on the boos, McCarthy said: “That’s the nature of the beast isn’t it? Boo the game because the game was rubbish. It was awful — we didn’t play well.

“We didn’t deserve to win the game so I am delighted with the point. I always said we are not that good that we are going to win every game. But it takes about 75 points to make the play-offs so we now need 24.”

Having lost last season’s Championship play-off final, Derby will be keen to take the direct route to the Premier League and they boosted their hopes of automatic promotion by going level on points with leaders Bournemouth with a 2-0 win at Cardiff.

Cyrus Christie made a swift impact after coming on as sub, as his deep cross created the second goal to help ensure team-mate Jeff Hendrick had three points to celebrate on his 23rd birthday.

It was a good weekend for goalkeeper David Forde as his clean sheet helped struggling Millwall to a rare and much-needed three points. The Lions won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest to move to within two points of safety.

Darren Randolph is another keeper who’ll be pleased with his efforts after his clean sheet earned Birmingham a point against Norwich.

It was a less satisfying weekend for Chris Hughton as his Brighton side succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against rock-bottom Blackpool.

In League One, Eoin Doyle helped Chesterfield rescue a point in what could prove his final game for the club. Chesterfield trailed 2-0 early on, but Doyle’s 25th goal of the season halved the deficit before he provided assist number 13 of the campaign to set up fellow Irishman Jimmy Ryan for a late equaliser.

Doyle’s goalscoring has attracted attention from a host of clubs, including MLS outfit New York City and a deadline day move could happen.

In League Two, a goal from Pádraig Amond earned Morecambe a 1-1 draw with Wimbledon.