Portsmouth 2-1 Ipswich: Leam Richardson and Mick McCarthy reaction

Mick McCarthy says Ipswich would rather reach the Championship play-offs than go on an FA Cup run after being knocked out by Portsmouth in their third round replay on Tuesday evening.

Marc McNulty scored a goal and won a penalty - converted by Ipswich old boy Gary Roberts - to guide Pompey into the fourth round for the first time in six years.

Ipswich manager McCarthy made 11 changes from Saturday's draw with Preston, and he admitted a challenge for the top flight is more important than a cup run.

"We have to play our best side in the league. That is what matters to us most, we want to challenge for the play offs," the Tractor Boys boss said after the defeat.

"A couple of my players had knocks after Saturday's game and I didn't want to risk them in a game like this - there are more important things for us.

"I have no regrets about the changes I made, but it has left me with no headaches as to my best players.

"Pompey deserved to win, they were the best side in both ties and fully deserved to go through. They were good at our place and they were good again today."

Midfielder Roberts opened the scoring with a 32nd-minute penalty after Piotr Malarczyk tripped McNulty in the box.

McNulty doubled the lead with a superb deft header into the bottom corner, after meeting Gareth Evans' in swinging cross eight minutes before half-time.

Teenage Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles threatened to spark a comeback with a stunning 25-yard curler on the hour mark.

But Ipswich's hopes of progress were dashed when defender Malarczyk was sent off late on for a second yellow card for fouling Roberts.

Sheffield United loanee McNulty could have netted even more but did enough to set up a fourth-round match-up with south coast neighbours Bournemouth.

Paul Cook's number two Leam Richardson said: "Marc was different class. For his goal the cross dictated it but Marc's movements are always top draw in the box and there is only one place it is going.

"He had plenty of chances and he is disappointed not to have the match ball - which shows the high standards he puts on himself.

"Tonight we had a full ground and we rewarded them with a great tie in the next round.

"We can't disrespect any side but we are really looking forward to taking on a quality Premier League club and proving our class.

"We gave a good account of ourselves down at their place and was disappointed with the late goal we conceded and we did the same today.

"We were playing against a top Championship side in Ipswich with a class team and a class manager so to get ourselves through is a great credit to our lads.

"The application, work rate and respect saw us through, in both games, and we fully deserved to go through."