MORE clean sheets could be key to automatic promotion for the Blues, according to keeper Kelvin Davis, writes Derek Davis.After another outstanding contribution for Town, Davis is looking to extend his string of shut-outs for as long as possible.

MORE clean sheets could be key to automatic promotion for the Blues, according to keeper Kelvin Davis, writes Derek Davis.

After another outstanding contribution for Town, Davis is looking to extend his string of shut-outs for as long as possible.

He is still confident that the Blues can edge out either Wigan or Sunderland, especially after his team's recent revival.

Davis told the EADT: "There is no reason for us not to think we can still go up automatically.

"We have picked up seven points in three games and kept three clean sheets – that is promotion form.

"I can't remember the last time I kept three clean sheets in a row and I would love to keep the run going. If we can continue to keep clean sheets from now until the end of the season that should see us through."

The former Luton Town and Wimbledon keeper insists that concentrating on what they are doing, rather than how the opposition fare, is the way ahead for Town.

He said: "We are not concerned about what the other teams are doing. The manager doesn't come in the dressing room after the game and talk about them, or ask how they got on; it is about what we do."

A couple of excellent saves, combined with classic goalkeeping, helped the Blues keep out an enthusiastic Gills side that had the better chances on the day. That resulted in Town's first goal-less draw in 69 games, since they drew with Millwall at the Den in December 2003.

Davis said: "That shows what kind of team we are. We know we can score goals, so now, hopefully, we are getting it right at the back the goals will come again at the other end.

"Having the three centre-halves definitely suits us and makes it better defensively but the other side of the game can suffer. It was noticeable when Jim came on and we went to a four, we created more chances."

Jonathan Douglas and Micky Flynn were the main losers to Davis while Mamady Sidibe and Darius Henderson also endured a fruitless afternoon due to the stopper's work.

For Davis, it was a good afternoon's work and was hard pressed to pick a favourite moment.

He said: "Hard to choose. The first was very awkward when he tried to cross, but as a keeper, you try to be on your toes for when a miss-kick happens.

"The second was possibly better when it came across me through a crowd of players and again he hit his shot into the ground so it was not struck cleanly."

The former England Under-21 keeper was less happy with Henderson's clumsy attempt to win a penalty by tumbling over Davis, when he was duly booked.

He said: "I was in a rage when I heard the whistle and thought the referee had given a penalty. Then I saw he was awarding a free kick against the striker and I started to have a go at the player for diving."

Town's No. 1 keeper has kept 10 of the 12 clean sheets Ipswich have managed this season with understudy Lewis Price, now off with the full Wales international squad, keeping the other two.