Ian Ashbee admitted the Tigers were disappointed to only take a point from their Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United at the KC Stadium.

Ashbee, who returned to the starting line-up following a three-game ban, produced a solid display in the middle of the field and felt his side were worth more than the point they gained.

"I think we were a bit disappointed it only ended in a draw," said the City captain.

"We had the better chances and we were better than them in the second half. The first half wasn't as good and the tempo wasn't high enough.

"The boys are disappointed and that is a good sign. Sheffield United have just come out of the Premier League and they still have a number of big-name players.

"Over 90 minutes I thought we deserved more than we got. But we've got a point at home against a good side.

"That is a sign of our progress. At 1-0 down last season, we'd have gone under. The last time we played Sheffield United, they gave us a bit of a 'doing' home and away.

"Saturday was an indication that we have moved on as a team. We just need to be more clinical and finish teams off.

"There have been a few games when we've said that. Blackpool away was one, we're creating chances but we're just not taking them."

With the season now 13 games old the table is starting to take shape and Ashbee believes the Tigers are more than capable of challenging at the right end of the division.

"I think the play-offs can be a realistic goal. We've played 13 teams now and not one of them has opened us up.

"We've played the likes of Charlton, Wolves, Sheffield United and Watford. To be fair, Watford weren't that great but they won the game with one shot on goal in the entire game.

"Looking at that, I think we can get into the play-offs, we just need to be more clinical in front of goal.

"People expected Sheffield United to bounce straight back into the Premier League and looking at Saturday, we're as well equipped as them.

"But we just have to worry about ourselves. We're a good set of lads and Saturday will just breed a bit more confidence and spirit because we went 1-0 down, dug in and came back."

The Tigers now face trips to Queens Park Rangers and Burnley before a home game against Preston and Ashbee believes all three are winnable for his side.

"It's a big time for us. We need to kick on a bit now because if we do go through a bad patch, you need to have points on the board already.

"We want as many points as we can from the next set of fixtures."