THIS East Anglian derby lacked the blood and guts usually associated with such encounters. But there was little disguising the satisfaction Norwich manager, Bruce Rioch, felt yesterday after his side extended their unbeaten run to eight games.

Less than three months ago Norwich were bottom of Division One, with unrest growing weekly at Carrow Road. Now they are just four points off the promotion play-off places and possess the Division's second meanest defence behind leaders Manchester City, having conceded only 15 goals.

Against Ipswich, their defensive resilience was prominent again as they held out for a third successive clean sheet.

The Norwich goal was under pressure for most of the first half, with their goalkeeper, Andy Marshall, saving from Jamie Clapham, Wayne Brown and Manuel Thetis as Ipswich strove for their first win in four games.

But Norwich, without their usual strikers - the suspended Iwan Roberts and the injured Darren Eadie - had the best first-half chance in the 22nd minute. Adrian Forbes, sent clear by Chris Llewellyn's clever flick, dragged a shot across the face of goal when he should have tested Ipswich's goalkeeper, Richard Wright.

In a turgid second half the one clear chance fell to Norwich captain, Matt Jackson, who saw his header from Jean Yves de Blasiis's free kick hit the top of the bar.

Rioch said: "Our commitment, our effort and our discipline were fantastic. You do not want to lose a derby match, so we are reasonably pleased to have taken something from the game."

Despite their recent indifferent form, Ipswich manager, George Burley, still believes his side can mount a decent promotion push.

He said: "I don't feel anybody has outplayed us this season and we are still confident we can finish in the top two. I would have thought Norwich will have been pleased with a point and we are disappointed not to have got three."

Daily Telegraph