Ipswich Town play out disappointing home draw with Northampton Town

Ipswich Town fans will be waking up this morning once again with an overwhelming feeling of disappointment following last night's 0-0 home draw with Northampton Town.

The hosting Tractor Boys, who actually moved up a place to 11th in the League One standings, had just one shot on target all evening at Portman Road against a visiting side that is currently in the relegation zone.

It was the lowly Cobblers that carved out the game's better chances, with Ipswich goalkeeper Thomas Holy called into action on a few occasions.

A frustrating outing got even worse for the hosts in stoppage time when midfielder Flynn Downes was handed his marching orders in stoppage time.

However, the encounter will probably best be remembered for a second-half incident involving referee Darren Drysdale, who appeared to lock heads with Ipswich's Alan Judge after he had been penalised for simulation inside the Northampton box.

Speaking about that moment, Ipswich boss Paul Lambert said: "It should have been a penalty on Judgey at the end but it is a results business. The aftermath of that incident needs to be looked at."

Meanwhile, on his side's overall performance, the Scot added: "Well it wasn't good enough. That's the bottom line.

"The second half was a bit better but to be honest the results haven't been good enough for a long time.

"We are all in this together but the manager always gets the blunt of criticism. But, like I say, it hasn't been good enough.

"Only Nors (James Norwood) tested the 'keeper tonight. I don't know if it's a lack of confidence but we have to have shots."

Seventh-placed Oxford United will be the visitors to Portman Road on Saturday (3pm).

Looking ahead to that fixture, Lambert said: "We all know that we have to better on Saturday.

"We can't get away from the fact that things must be better. Oxford are doing well and it'll be a different game to tonight, but we certainly need to improve. The lads know it."

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