IPSWICH Town won a hard-earned point in their Championship fixture at Elland Road against Leeds United on Saturday.

Leeds United 0-0 Ipswich Town

The Blues enjoyed as much possession as their hosts in the opening period, but were forced to defend manfully after the break to pick up a welcome point.

Gareth McAuley and Carlos Edwards in particular defended well in a game where home town boy Kieron Dyer made a rather quiet but busy return to the club.

Dyer came into the team for his first Ipswich game since May 1999 after joining from West Ham on a month’s loan on Friday.

As expected Bullard was passed fit to start after missing Tuesday’s home 3-1 defeat by Reading because of a hamstring niggle.

The other change saw Priskin come in to play up front. The three players to drop out from Tuesday were the suspended Norris plus Drury and Scotland.

Leeds, who are still chasing an automatic promotion place after gaining promotion from League One last May, included two former Town players in Naylor and Bruce on the bench.

Within 15 seconds Edwards put Priskin into space through the middle. His right foot drive went beyond the keeper, but also the far post by two yards.

Dyer was playing ahead of Leadbitter and Bullard with Ipswich close to being a 4-2-4 formation and they began well. But there was a moment of concern in the 12th minute when Gradel cut in from the left and Fulop had to dive full length to his left to push the 20 yard shot for a corner.

Edwards had to defend well four minutes later after O’Brien broke forward and played a one-two with McCartney. The deep cross reached Gradel unmarked, but Edwards closed him down at the expense of a corner.

In the 21st minute Priskin put Martin galloping through and Schmeichel pushed the 18 yard shot for a corner with Ipswich competing well and not afraid to push forward.

Leeds manager Grayson was furious with a number of decisions that the referee had made and he made his feelings known in no uncertain manner when Mr Deadman went over to speak to him.

Within seconds – in the 41st minute – Leeds had men over in the penalty area, but Paynter’s close range shot was deflected by McAuley for a corner.

Howson had a chance at the far post in the 51st minute as Leeds came out for the second period in more determined mood. His effort cleared the far post.

And so did a low shot from Snodgrass two minutes later, which was from a much better opportunity with Town stretched at the back again. This shot grazed the far post.

In the 55th minute intricate play by Leeds led to Paynter being released down the left channel and Fulop did very well to dive to his left and save a 12 yard shot.

It was now all Leeds with Ipswich unable to retain the ball in their opponents’ half of the field.

Paynter headed over in the 69th minute, which was Leeds’ 14th off target attempt on goal with Ipswich still unable to build any meaningful attacks.

Dyer went off after 73 minutes having put in a good shift but looking a bit lost at times and unable to stamp any authority onto the game.

There was not a lot of football played as the clock ticked down with Ipswich having some exceptional displays from their defenders, but unable to make any second half threatening headway towards Schmeichel’s goal.

Teams

Leeds United: Schmeichel; Lichaj, O’Brien, Bromby, McCarthy; Johnson, Howson (Bannan 75), Kilkenny, Gradel; Snodgrass, Paynter (Becchio 75). Substitutes: Higgs, Naylor, Bruce, Watt, Somma.

Ipswich Town: Fulop; Edwards, McAuley, Delaney, O’Dea; Martin (Civelli 66), Dyer (Drury 73), Bullard, Leadbitter, Wickham; Priskin (Scotland 80). Substitutes: Lee-Barrett, Peters, Smith, Hyam.

Referee: Mr D Deadman (Cambridgeshire)

Attendance: 27,432

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FULL MATCH FACTS CARDIFF CITY V IPSWICH TOWN

Marks

Leeds United: Schmeichel 6; Lichaj 7, O’Brien 7, Bromby 7, McCarthy 7; Johnson 6, Howson 6, Kilkenny 6, Gradel 7; Snodgrass 7, Paynter 6.

Ipswich Town: Fulop 8; Edwards 8, McAuley 8, Delaney 7, O’Dea 6; Martin 5, Dyer 6, Bullard 5, Leadbitter 6, Wickham 6; Priskin 6.

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STATS

Leeds United 0

Goals: -

Bookings: Paynter 3, O’Brien 27.

Sent off: -

Shots on target: 3

Shots off target: 14

Woodwork: -

Corners: 8

Free-kicks conceded (including off sides): 10

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Ipswich Town 0

Goals: -

Bookings: McAuley 59. Wickham 90.

Sent off: -

Shots on target: 3

Shots off target: 4

Woodwork: -

Corners: 4

Free-kicks conceded (including off sides): 12