IT'S perhaps a sign of how far Town have come that Blues supporters are going into this unscheduled winter break feeling slightly downcast despite their side’s current position of third, just a point off the top.

In previous recent seasons fans would have been delighted to be anywhere near the play-off battle, let alone the fight for the automatic promotion positions.

Saturday’s win at Millwall took the Blues to 50 points after only 26 games for just the second time since three points for a win was introduced in 1981. The other was the so-nearly 2004/05 season under Joe Royle.

But that would have been harsh on Brighton who had been the better side on the night.

Town seem to have hit what’s currently only a mini-sticky patch at a crucial point in the season and how they respond to it when they return from their few days off – the Brighton game was moved from Saturday as the Seagulls are still in the FA Cup – may ultimately determine whether they are top-two candidates or play-off contenders come May.

Following the back-to-back home defeats to Derby and the Saints it was important that the Blues got something from their visit to the Den on Saturday.

Millwall were perhaps even more anxious to get a result having been humiliated 4-0 at League One Bradford in the FA Cup in the preceding midweek.

Town showed few signs of their confidence having been dented by their defeats as Noel Hunt’s two goals saw them into a 2-0 lead after only 14 minutes.

From there, the Blues really ought to have sealed it having had chances to net a third but a poor set-piece goal just before the break allowed the Lions back into it and got their previously despondent crowd on their side.

However, the Town backline dealt with everything thrown at them in the second half and Jonny Parr settled it with a finish as good as any striker’s. Not bad for a full-back playing in midfield.

Having played two games a week for most of the last month Brighton was perhaps a bridge too far. Bournemouth’s surprise defeat at Leeds the previous evening had Town fans eyeing the Championship’s summit with the then-20th-placed Seagulls appearing very beatable on paper.

However, the Blues never really got on top of an Albion side which looks to be making significant progress under new manager Chris Hughton.

While Sam Baldock’s opening goal was a superb strike, the former MK Dons man really ought to have been closed down as he cut in from the left. In most previous games he probably would have been.

Unfazed, Town got back into it via Daryl Murphy’s 18th goal of the season but as the half wore on the Blues’ performance became looser and looser.

Brighton had had a couple of chances from set pieces before Town stood off the excellent Joao Teixeira as he brought the ball forward and the on-loan Liverpool man lashed home a deflected effort from distance.

Before half-time it was 3-1 as a cross from the left was allowed to find an unmarked Teixeira, who gleefully found the net. This Town side never gives up, of course, but for much of the second half increasingly-impressive Brighton looked more likely to add to their lead than the Blues were to reduce it.

However, with 12 minutes remaining Freddie Sears – who has already made a significant impact since joining from Colchester last week – pulled one back and Town might even have picked up an unlikely point had Murphy stabbed home rather than just wide.

But that would have been harsh on Brighton who had been the better side on the night. Town hadn’t been quite themselves, whether that was down to the fixtures having come thick and fast, perhaps the illness which has struck down several members of what is a small squad over the last month or the absence of injured key man David McGoldrick. Probably a combination of them all.

While it’s never great going into a break on the back of a defeat, this particular hiatus has come at just the right time.

The Blues looked like they need a bit of a rest and it gives manager Mick McCarthy the chance to look at making one or two additions – another striker and perhaps someone to play the Jonny Williams role – before the transfer window closes.

Then it’s a home game against 23rd-placed Wigan and, let’s not forget, perhaps another chance to go top of the table. Not often we’ve been able to say that in recent years.