IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell was pleased that his side were able to build on their home win over Coventry with an impressive goalless draw at Middlesbrough.

The Blues had previously suffered from bad inconsistency with today signalling the first time they have recorded back-to-back results this season.

Indeed, Town could have got all three points having created the better goalscoring chances at high-flying Middlesbrough.

“I thought we had the better opportunities if I’m being honest,” said Jewell. “Certainly in the first half we had two guilt-edged ones – Sonko’s header and Chopra’s volley – so we were a little bit disappointed to go in at half-time nil-nil.

“I think you saw two teams trying to win the match, how it stayed nil-nil I don’t know.

“We tried to take confidence from that performance on Monday. We tried to pass the ball, we did pass the ball, we moved it, but at times we maybe didn’t quite pick the right pass.

“Certainly in the second half we had opportunities to take a shot and instead we tried to walk the ball in a bit.

“There’s a lot to work on still, but to come to Middlesbrough who I think could have gone top of the league today and pushed them all the way is a good performance.”

Striker Jason Scotland was replaced in the second half after picking up a knock, but Jewell says it doesn’t look serious.

“I thought he was terrific,” said the Blues boss. “He’s just got a kick, the lad stamped on him accidentally, but hopefully he’ll be okay in the morning.”

– Full report and reaction in Monday’s EADT.