Purse robbed by Ipswich

Cardiff City's goal drought may be over but they still cannot win. Darren Purse's unlikely brace twice had them ahead, only for the on-loan pair of Jon Macken and Gary Roberts to reward impressive Ipswich Town.

Cardiff should be thankful with a point, although a fiercely disputed penalty gave them a glimpse of victory midway through the second half before Ipswich quickly replied in kind.

"We're not playing well, we know that, and it's a battle and scrap at the moment," said Cardiff's manager, Dave Jones. "We're hanging in." His side needed only three minutes to disorientate opponents beaten by last-minute goals in three November away games.

Kevin McNaughton delivered a left-wing cross for Purse to guide home on the volley from close range. But Ipswich's easy-on-the-eye passing turned the tide and the equaliser, three minutes after half-time, was overdue. Garvan had a shot blocked from Roberts' corner, leaving Macken to dispatch the rebound.

Controversy and mystery surrounded the goal that restored Cardiff's lead. Just after coming on, Steve Thompson went down clutching his face when challenged by Jason de Vos. No card was produced but the penalty was drilled home by Purse.

"It was outside the area if it was anything but we played some terrific stuff after the first 15 minutes and should have had three points," said the Ipswich manager, Jim Magilton.

Jones insisted neither penalty was just, the second coming when Roberts went down under Chris Gunter's challenge.

David Instone (The Independent)