Thursday 2 October 2014 11:32, UK
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy was pleased to see his side dig deep to extend their impressive recent run with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday.
Town went into the contest at Hillsborough buoyed by four straight Sky Bet Championship wins but appeared to be heading for their first defeat of September after Atdhe Nuhiu netted early in a dominant first-half performance by Wednesday.
Ipswich went close to drawing level minutes before the interval when Daryl Murphy headed just wide and they continued that improvement after the break.
McCarthy made a change just before the hour mark which proved to be a masterstroke, Jonny Williams marking his second Town debut with a fine control and finish within minutes of his introduction.
The Wales international, who only rejoined the club on loan on Monday, was taken off in the closing stages with the point in the bag, one McCarthy felt his side were full value for.
"It was hard-fought, hard-earned, a deserved point and I'm pleased with it," he said.
"I thought we played some nice football in the first half and kept it, but they were letting us do it and we didn't really hurt them.
"We had a nice spell just before half-time with a couple of good chances. I think on reflection it was probably even on chances."
Town finished four points off the play-offs last term and McCarthy has seen enough from his side to suggest they can bridge that gap in 2014/15.
"I'm happy with the squad and even though it's a dirty word and we can't mention it, we want to get promoted," he added.
"We set off with designs of top six. I don't think we're one of the best teams or best squads in the league, although we're a competent squad, hard to beat and we've certainly improved.
"We'll keep scrapping away and see where we end up."
Wednesday had the ball in the net twice after Nuhiu's headed opener, only to see both efforts ruled out.
Gray felt at least one of those should have stood and questioned Williams' equaliser, although he was also critical of his team's defending.
The Owls boss said: "We got our noses in front with a good goal from Atdhe. I haven't seen the second and third ones again but I felt Atdhe's second goal looked onside.
"I saw probably 100 fans in the far corner appealing for handball (against Williams). If it's that many fans you think it must have been handball.
"I think it was tired minds. They got the ball forward that many times. There's different types of games in all the leagues and I would imagine my back four have had to head the ball and clear their lines more tonight.
"One tired clearance just dropped to the boy Williams and he's ended up getting a shot on goal which drops into the bottom corner."