IPSWICH Town manager Mick McCarthy hailed his side’s efforts after they held runaway league-leaders Cardiff City to a goalless draw on Welsh soil.

Both sides worked their socks off in wet and windy conditions, with chances at a premium.

Guirane N’Daw hit the inside of the post in the first half for Ipswich, while substitute Frank Nouble shot just wide in a stoppage-time counter-attack.

Cardiff were at their most threatening from the deadly set-piece deliveries of Peter Whittingham and Craig Bellamy.

“We’ve had some good chances and played very well,” said McCarthy. “We had to defend some good quality free-kicks and corners, but in open play we probably had the better of the chances.

“I thought Frank (Nouble) did great with that (chance at the end), he had such good feet, but it just went the wrong side of the post.

“We lost two games on the bounce – one a league game, one a cup game – and we didn’t want to lose two league games on the bounce.

“I thought it was a fair result overall. I would have taken a point before hand and I’m happy with it now.

“We’ve just played the leaders who were 27 points ahead of us. I don’t think that was reflected in the performance on the pitch – we played better than that.”

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay said: “We were playing a team that are at the top of the form table, with a new manager who is getting results.

“If we hadn’t worked as hard as we did then we would have got beat.

“Both teams could have won it – we had chances and they had chances.

“That’s our fourth clean sheet in five games and I’m delighted with that.

“The conditions of the wind and rain made it difficult for both sides.”

Asked about the performance of new boys David McGoldrick, Aaron Mclean and Frank Nouble, McCarthy said: “They did alright. I’m told everybody was trying to guess what I’d do (up front).

I was pleased with them, I was even happier still with the way Chops (Michael Chopra) and (Daryl) Murphy reacted after being left out. That gives me great competition for places.

“Big Frank (Nouble) had an excellent little cameo appearance and nearly nicked the winner for us.”

– For match analysis, comment and more reaction, see Monday’s EADT and Ipswich Star.