To add insult to injury, the player in question - Michael Doyle - went on to score the Sky Blues' equaliser after Marcus Bent had put Ipswich in front at Portman Road.

Doyle grounded Fabian Wilnis after the pair contested an earlier high ball and Royle said: "It was the most blatant elbow you could ever wish to see.

"The lad who scored their goal should never have been on the pitch and I think everyone in the ground knew that.

"The linesman and the fourth official were only a few yards away and yet neither did anything.

"They might as well not be there if they're not going to make a stand. There were a few strange decisions but Coventry probably deserved the points."

Royle added: "We're still struggling to find our rhythm but I was glad to get a point when we weren't playing at our best because I know we can do better."

Coventry boss Gary McAllister took a different view of the early flashpoint and praised referee Frazer Stretton.

He said: "I was on the pitch when it happened so I was closer to the incident than Joe.

"Wilnis was holding my player and he was only trying to free himself. It was a natural reaction and even if there was a flailing arm there was certainly no malice intended."

McAllister added: "We dominated for long periods and had enough of the ball to possibly come away with three points.

"But it's never easy coming to Portman Road and Joe Royle's side are always very committed."

Ipswich broke the deadlock after 17 minutes. Steve Staunton's attempted clearance was charged down as far as the edge of the area by Darren Bent.

From there, Marcus Bent unleashed a first-time effort into the bottom right-hand corner just beyond the grasp of keeper Scott Shearer.

Coventry were soon back on level terms when Patrick Suffo crossed from the right, picking out Doyle. The former Celtic man cut inside Wilnis before sending a low effort across goal and wide of Kelvin Davies.

Ananova