Southampton 1 Ipswich 1

Paul Jewell’s half-time rant at his under-performing Ipswich players ensured Southampton failed to push on in their race for the Championship title.

Paul Jewell’s half-time rant at his under-performing Ipswich players ensured Southampton failed to push on in their race for the Championship title.

The Ipswich manager saw his side utterly dominated by opposite number Nigel Adkins’ men in a first half which could have seen the league leaders take a clear advantage into the break.

Jewell’s men survived the onslaught and, despite going behind to Rickie Lambert’s 25th goal of the season, showed persistence to draw level through substitute Jason Scotland five minutes from time.

It was a result which leaves Southampton firmly second favourites for the title, with West Ham, who have two games in hand over their rivals, entertaining Watford on Wednesday night.

Jewell said: “We were nowhere near our best in the first half and I could not wait to get them in at half time. We showed them what we could do in the second half and deserved the draw. I am pleased with the result.”

Southampton, searching for their fourth win in a row, began on the front foot with Adam Lallana, back from a groin injury, driving them forward only to miss a hatful of opportunities in the first half.

Adkins admitted: “We had a lot of good chances and could have been well ahead by half time – Adam Lallana could have had two or three and their goalkeeper made some magnificent saves. It is a little disappointing only to draw when we have been ahead until so late but we were playing a good team on an excellent run.”

Lallana was kept out by the impressive Alex McCarthy, the Ipswich goalkeeper, when put through by strike partner Tadanari Lee. The midfielder showed again just why he is on the radar of Premier League clubs as he set himself up with a delightful one-two with Morgan Schneiderlin. But Lallana dawdled on the ball long enough for Tommy Smith to get back and make an excellent block to send the ball out for a corner from which Guly Do Prado headed wide.

Former Ipswich goalkeeper Kelvin Davis was largely untroubled in the first half and only called into action to keep out a long-range effort from former Arsenal midfielder Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.

For all Saints’ dominance, Ipswich began the second half the better side and almost stole an opener. Andy Drury’s inch-perfect cross from the right found Michael Chopra 10 yards out, but his disappointing header was acrobatically kept out by Davis.

As the hour approached Do Prado became the latest Southampton player to spurn a golden opportunity, volleying wide after an exchange of passes with Lambert. It was Lambert who finally gave Southampton the lead in the 74th minute when he was perfectly placed to meet substitute Steve De Ridder’s low cross across the box and fire past McCarthy.

Jake Rusby (Daily Telegraph)