John McGreal is ready to put FA Cup heartache behind him and help steer Ipswich Town into the Premiership.

The Town defender played in last night's 1-0 defeat against Southampton in front of a live Sky television audience at Portman Road.

But the former Tranmere Rovers player is determined to make up for the disappointment of their third round exit by gaining promotion.

Dean Richards' headed goal in the 40th minute means Town have only the League to concentrate on.

McGreal admitted: "We were absolutely devastated because it was a match we expected to win. If we are going to play Premiership football then Southampton are the kind of team we need to beat if we are to stay in it.

"Although we lost we came out of the game with a lot of credit for the way we played against a quality Premiership side.

"The players were gutted at the end of the match because we felt we didn't take what was a great chance to put one over on a club in a higher division.

"But defeat leaves us with five months to concentrate on getting out of Division One. That was the number one priority at the start of the season and it's still the case."

Town failed to make the most of their territorial advantage but McGreal believes it is a lesson learned.

He added: "We had all the possession, particularly in the first half when we should have made more of our chances.

"Southampton had just two shots on target in the whole game and they scored from one of them.

"That tells you something about playing teams from the Premiership because they know you need to take your chances when they come."

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