IPSWICH, in a desperate quest for automatic promotion, fuelled by the experience of losing in the play-off semi-finals for three seasons, endured a night of frustration as they failed to hit the target for a second successive game.

George Burley's team, who surrendered an 18-match unbeaten record in losing 1-0 at home to Portsmouth at the weekend, could have had the game won by half-time, but they failed to cash in and were left vulnerable to Blackburn's increasing second-half menace.

Ipswich had taken the game to Blackburn from the outset. Jim Magilton was inches away after eight minutes with a left-foot shot following David Johnson's knock-down, and four minutes later Jamie Clapham volleyed against the bar.

Blackburn, starved of meaningful possession by the Ipswich midfield, were indebted to goalkeeper Alan Kelly for two saves in the space of a minute.

First he blocked from Fabian Wilnis after the strong-running Dutchman had taken a return pass from Jermaine Wright. Within seconds Kelly denied Johnson, who clipped his follow-up wide when he seemed certain to score.

It was then the turn of the woodwork to keep Ipswich out as Johnson set his sights from 25 yards, only to see the ball rebound off the outside of a post.

Blackburn, who replaced Nathan Blake with the lively Matt Jansen at half-time, looked a different proposition in the second period and Ashley Ward nearly caught Ipswich napping with a free header that he directed just wide.

Daily Telegraph