Jon Walters s 87th minute goal kept Town s play-off hopes alive as the Blues drew 2-2 at Preston. Tommy Miller had put Town in front in the first half, before Chris Brown s deflected shot put the home side level and Neil Mellor s goal after the break looked to have ended the Blues play-off push.
Jordan Rhodes scored his first senior goal for Town after coming on as a half-time sub as the Blues drew 1-1 with Cardiff. Jim Magilton s men were again below par and had gone behind to a Gavin Rae goal. Late on, the Blues looked to have grabbed a winner but Danny Haynes s effort was ruled out for a push by Tommy Miller.
Town s play-off hopes were dealt a major blow after Colchester United defeated them 2-0 at Layer Road. The Blues dominated for the most part, but looked little threat in front of goal, while Scott Vernon netted two of the home side s chances, one in each half.
Town keeper Shane Supple will make his debut for the Irish U21s when they take on Montenegro in a UEFA qualifier at Terryland Park, Galway this evening. Striker Billy Clarke is also in the squad and stands a good chance of winning his seventh U21 cap.
Central defender Richard Naylor and midfielder David Norris are considered big doubts ahead of Town s trip to Scunthorpe on Saturday. Town are already without strikers Jon Walters and Shefki Kuqi.