Roy Keane admitted his side's missed penalty was a major turning point in Ipswich Town's Carling Cup exit at Peterborough.

The Blues lost 2-1, having gone in front through Tamas Priskin.

The Hungarian then had a penalty saved before Posh hit back through Lee Frecklington and George Boyd.

Referring to the missed spot-kick, Town boss Keane said: “It was a big factor in the game.

“Two-nil would have made it very difficult for them, but you've got to take those opportunities.

“I'm disappointed we didn't get anything from the game.

“We started well and when we got the ball down and passed it we looked a decent team.

“But we couldn't keep it going and, although their first goal was outstanding, the second was down to very poor defending.”

Town started brightly and took the lead inside 14 minutes.

Pablo Counago, making his first appearance of the season, was the architect after making space for himself down the right.

His first cross was blocked but the second, close to the by-line, was converted at the near-post by Priskin.

Town, and Priskin in particular, then had a golden chance to make it two midway through the half when the Hungarian was upended in the box by Gabriel Zakuani.

Referee Rob Shoebridge missed the foul but his assistant flagged for a penalty.

Priskin grabbed the ball and took it himself, only to see his tame effort easily saved by goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

Posh had responded brightly after going behind and Frecklington blasted his side level with a thunderous long-range effort after spinning past Jack Colback.

Peterborough had the bit between their teeth after the break and made their superiority count in the 64th minute.

Toumani Diagouragi won a crunching tackle and the ball spun out wide to Boyd.

The midfielder skipped past David Wright and, from a tight angle, crashed a low shot past Richard Wright.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson said: “It was a good result and much-needed win.

“We just edged it, on the strength of our second-half performance, and showed a lot of character.

“The penalty was the turning point, though, and had we gone two-down it might have been a bit difficult.”