Ipswich Town 1 Southend United 1

IPSWICH manager George Burley was at pains to deny any knowledge of a proposed swap involving his Danish midfielder, Claus Thomsen, and Manchester City's Gerry Creaney.

His reply - "No, no, no" - might easily have been an expression of head-shaking disenchantment from an average supporter after a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Southend.

Ipswich have now won only once in their last nine League games though they began well enough when Creaney, on loan, nodded Mauricio Taricco's cross down for the industrious Mick Stockwell to prod in. Stockwell, however, fell victim to the club's injury jinx at half-time and retired with back trouble.

Ipswich's back four looked alarmingly square at times, leaving themselves open to the sucker-punch ball over the top. Keith Dublin duly delivered it on the hour and Andy Rammell raced through to drive home.

Previously, Southend had managed only one goal in eight away trips. "That makes it two," was manager Ronny Whelan's wry comment. "Now we're really flying."

Daily Telegraph