Premiership: Ipswich and Boro scoreless

Ipswich 0 Middlesbrough 0 (half-time)

Ipswich dominated the first half at Portman Road but failed to convert their chances against injury-hit Middlesbrough.

With time running out on their Premiership lives, George Burley’s team needed a win to close the five-point gap to safety.

Steve McClaren’s Boro failed to muster any openings of note throughout the first period, while Ipswich continued to press.

It took a timely interception from Cooper in his own six-yard area to repel a Jamie Clapham cross, after more good work by Peralta.

Then, another link-up between Town’s strikers created the best chance of the half.

Bent flicked a backheel into Stewart’s path and last season’s 21-goal top scorer muscled his way past Cooper, 40 yards out, and advanced on goal before watching his side-footed steer roll agonisingly wide.

With Ipswich in their pomp, another chance arrived almost immediately - but Reuser failed to keep his header down as he stole in ahead of Robbie Stockdale to meet Titus Bramble’s piercing ball from the right-hand touchline.

Middlesbrough improved as the interval approached and Mickael Debeve and Paul Ince both shot off-target from distance.