Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna says his side will learn lessons from Saturday's deflating derby defeat - and take them into two huge home games this week.

The Blues turned in one of their flattest displays of the season in the 1-0 defeat at Carrow Road on Saturday, meaning the long wait goes on for a win in the fixture.

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But the fact that Leeds were also upset, losing 2-1 at Coventry, means the second-placed Blues still have their automatic promotion destiny in their hands with five matches left to play.

East Anglian Daily Times: Kieran McKenna's Town were flat in defeat at NorwichKieran McKenna's Town were flat in defeat at Norwich (Image: PA Images)
McKenna said: "Of course any derby defeat is tougher, especially because we know what it means to the supporters.

"For us as professionals we can't afford to let that be the case. We've done well dealing with set-backs and disappointments before and we have to deal with this one.

"We know it will hurt a little bit more for the supporters, and that causes a little bit more hurt in the group.

"But as a group of players and staff, sticking together, finding the response in training and finding the right energy to go again is something we've done really well this season. That's what we'll endeavour to do again."

READ MORE: North Stander - Did our cool and calm approach hurt us in the derby? 

He added: "Of course we all want this season to end in a really amazing and brilliant way, but we're trying to grow the team, the football club to the levels it once was.

"Each step along the way is a lesson, whether it's a fantastic experience like Monday night or a very disappointing one like today.

"This is a group that's come a long way in a short space of time. I'm confident we'll find a way to take good lessons from this performance."

East Anglian Daily Times: Conor Chaplin reacts at NorwichConor Chaplin reacts at Norwich (Image: Ross Halls)
Town now have back-to-back games at Portman Road coming up - Watford on Wednesday night, followed by Middlesbrough this Saturday.

"It's great to have two home games now," said McKenna. "The schedule has been and is so busy.

"Our last three away games were Norwich, Coventry and Hull - the teams sixth, seventh and eighth - so we knew they were going to be a big challenge.

"It's not a situation we could go into thinking we were going to win every game. We knew it's unlikely to be as smooth as that. All we can control is our effort. We'll try and control as much of the performance as we can.

"Pretty soon after the game it's about focusing the mindset and getting bodies ready for Wednesday night."