Sheffield United's ever-controversial manager Neil Warnock can generally be relied upon to liven up the dullest of occasions, and he was duly towed away by security guards after gesturing at Ipswich fans following this gentle draw at Portman Road.

Jimmy Juan looked to have won the game for Ipswich with a stunning 53rd-minute free-kick, but Danny Webber then equalised, prompting Warnock to gesture the scoreline to the fans, who had been gleefully chanting, "Warnock, what's the score?" Whereupon the incensed Ipswich defender Richard Naylor ran towards the United manager. The ensuing exchange of words forced security officers to intervene.

Warnock pleaded: "Where's the humour gone in this game? I did the same thing up at Leeds and they loved it - they were all calling up606 and saying how great it was. The fans were calling me names but we had a laugh. I was just having fun and Naylor flipped his lid."

It was the only talking point of an insipid draw that offered nothing to suggest that Sheffield United have what it takes to make up the nine points on runaway Championship leaders Reading. Ipswich will probably leave the happier team, but felt they should have closed the game out after academy striker Danny Haynes missed a chance to make it 2-0.

The away team had the better chances in the first half, and a teasing cross from Webber forced a late intervention from Ipswich's Gavin Williams.

Juan's goal came from a sweetly struck free-kick which flew in off the underside of the bar, but Webber replied in the 76th minute when he rounded the goalkeeper after an excellent pass from Michael Tonge.

Toby Skinner (The Independent)