DEAN Gerken seems to raise his game, whenever he plays Ipswich Town.

Carl Marston

DEAN Gerken seems to raise his game, whenever he plays Ipswich Town.

And the ex-Colchester United custodian was the main reason why Bristol City escaped from Portman Road with a point, following a man-of-the-match display in Saturday's 0-0 draw.

"This was my best game in a Bristol City shirt," revealed Gerken.

"I had a lot to do and it worked out well for me. Ipswich put us under some real pressure in the second half, so I'm delighted to be able to keep a clean-sheet.

"But I can't really say what was my best save, because they all pleased me no end."

Gerken also insisted that he had deliberately allowed Connor Wickham's 90th minute long throw to soar over him. "We have been practising defending long throw situations in training,"

continued Gerken. "The skipper, Louis Carey, called for me to leave it. I had no fears at all once he had called it."

Bristol City boss, Gary Johnson, echoed the sentiments expressed by his keeper.

"Dean Gerken said to me that he meant to miss it!" insisted Johnson.

"I thought our goalkeeper deserved that bit of luck.

"The referee took about 15 seconds to make a decision (not to award the goal). He was looking around for support, and I don't know how he ended up making the decision.

"Our keeper came into his own in the second half. He made four or five great saves, whereas usually you expect just one or two of these.

"I'm very proud of the keeper today. Ipswich gave it a right go in the second half, so I'm happy to be going away with a point," added