VIDEO: Ipswich Town boss happy with a point against Bournemouth, but not writing off top two

Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy told the press he was happy with a point from their game against previous league leaders Bournemouth on Friday — but would not go as far to say a lack of a win had killed off their automatic promotion hopes.

The former Republic of Ireland boss felt his side played very well in the SKY TV live 5.15pm kick-off game, but that Bournemouth’s superior shot count showed they deserved something from it.

After Freddie Sears had put the Tractor Boys into a sixth-minute lead, recently recruited former Premier League striker Kenwyne Jones, on loan from Cardiff City, came off the bench to head an equaliser with his first touch eight minutes from time on what was his first Cherries appearance.

Bartosz Bialkowski made a good save towards the end, adding to two smart stops in the first half, to ensure the spoils were shared in front of a crowd of 22,672 at Portman Road, the club’s biggest league attendance since Charlton Athletic on December 30 (26,157).

During the half-time interval, Cole Skuse was awarded Town’s Greene King Player of the month for March, in association with the official supporters’ club. Fan James Langdon was chosen from those who voted on scoial media to present the award.