Scunthorpe 1 Ipswich 1

DAVID HEALY ended a year's goal drought to give draw specialists Town their 16th stalemate of the season.

No team in the country has picked up just one point as many times as the Tractor Boys, now inching their way towards Championship respectability.

But that will not worry Northern Ireland's record marksman Healy one bit.

Sent on as a 67th-minute sub, all he got to start with was an on-the-pitch view of Scunthorpe skipper Cliff Byrne grabbing the lead for United.

Right-back Byrne was on the spot to apply the decisive touch at the far post when Paul Hayes put the ball back into the middle following a corner.

But on-loan Healy struck on 74 minutes as keeper Joe Murphy hesitated to end a barren run going back to February 7 2009 when he scored for Sunderland.

Boss Roy Keane said: "That's David all over. He's a natural goalscorer and this one should do him the world of good.

"Take it from me, the Michael Owens and Ruud van Nistelrooys of this world usually score from six or seven yards rather than from 20 or 25.

"Now, David needs a run in the side. We'll see, because there's plenty of competition. But he's looked sharp in training."

Iron boss Nigel Adkins, whose team were under the cosh in the opening 45 minutes, insisted: "We thought there was a foul when Ipswich scored."

Jon Walters almost struck for Town with a miscued attempt that dropped on top of the bar.

Keeper Joe Murphy was saved by the bar again from Walters' 25-yard lob but he then denied Daryl Murphy, Damien Delaney and Jack Colback.

Scunthorpe finally sparked into life as Martyn Woolford's angled volley flew just too high.

Gary Hooper fired wide before Town keeper Brian Murphy saved Woolford's acrobatic hooked attempt under the bar.

David Moore (The Sun)