Ipswich Town manager George Burley refused to be downbeat after watching his side tumble to defeat against Birmingham.

A hotly-contested and sometimes volatile match was settled by a controversial penalty in the 11th minute.

Manuel Thetis, who made way for Wayne Brown at half-time, was punished for obstructing former West Ham winger Stan Lazaridis.

Referee Barry Knight had little hesitation in pointing to the spot and Paul Furlong stepped up to stroke home the only goal of the game.

Burley said: "I've watched the incident on video and as far as I'm concerned it wasn't a penalty. I thought it was a very harsh decision.

"But all credit to Birmingham. They will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season in May.

"You can't win every game and I've got no complaints as far as the way the team played. They kept going until the end.

"We knew it was going to be a tough game but, overall, I thought we were unfortunate to lose.

"I'm sure we'll play worse this season and get three points."

Delighted City boss Trevor Francis described his team's triumph as their best result of the season.

He said: "There won't be many teams who come to Portman Road and get three points.

"I thought Lazaridis was the best player on the pitch. He was streets ahead of anyone else."

The defeat was Town's First in the league this season and came on the back of a 2-1 Worthington Cup reverse at Crewe.

Town were expected to complete the signing of Gary Croft from First Division rivals Blackburn in a £1m deal yesterday.

The 25-year-old agreed terms with Burley on Friday and is awaiting medical reports before signing a four-year contract.

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