AS much as Dean Bowditch would have loved to claim his first league goal, he could not begrudge John McGreal his opener for the season.The 17-year-old striker nodded a Martijn Reuser corner goal-bound only to see the veteran defender get the final touch on the ball, a mere four yards out.

AS much as Dean Bowditch would have loved to claim his first league goal, he could not begrudge John McGreal his opener for the season.

The 17-year-old striker nodded a Martijn Reuser corner goal-bound only to see the veteran defender get the final touch on the ball, a mere four yards out.

Bowditch, who scored the winner in the Carling Cup against Kidderminster in August, is still waiting for his first league strike and described how he thought he had got it.

He said: “The ball has come past the keeper and I was on the far post. I tried to steer it back on target and Johnny Mac was there to nick it in.

“He was telling me the keeper would have got it. I believe him, he is more experienced than me and after all he has gone through I'm happy for him.”

Another highly talented product of the Academy system, Bowditch has been patiently taking whatever first team opportunities come his way, but all strikers want their name on the goalsheet. He said: “I was very pleased to get on the field but I would have loved to have scored.

“There were a couple of opportunities that I might have done better with, bit it will come.”

McGreal's goal ended up saving a point for Town, which the youngster believes was deserved.

He added: “The team spirit is really good and we were up for winning the game.

“We passed the ball really well but did not create enough chances. In the end we got a goal and I suppose the draw was fair enough.”

Although Sheki Kuqi and his skipper appeared at loggerheads on the final whistle they were in agreement that Ipswich had not provided enough openings to win the game.

Kuqi said: “We played well in the first half and kept the ball well. We passed well but didn't create chances.

The Kosovan-born Albanian, who plays international football for Finland, was pleased to see Dutchman Martijn Reuser come on and influence the game once more.

He said: “It was good when Martijn came on. He comes in from the left and he is a good forward. He plays good passes and put some good balls into the box.”

Magilton concurred and added: “It was a fait result, We controlled a lot of possession but we lack a cutting edge.

“It was similar to the game at West Ham where we got to the final third but we got away with it there and got three points. Perhaps we are just not clever enough and are not getting enough crosses in.

“We have four central midfield players who all want to play and are all comfortable on the ball.

“Martijn is an alternative and has come on again and done well.”

Magilton, who was booed throughout after winning the penalty which gave Town a draw at Portman Road on the opening day of the season, expects Reading to come good again after a mid-season blip following Alan Pardew's departure.