Will Keane nodded an injury-time equaliser as the Blues drew 1-1 at home to Stoke City, James McClean having made the most of a Town defensive mix-up to put the visitors ahead three minutes before half-time.

Boss Paul Lambert made one enforced change to his team with Jon Nolan replacing Flynn Downes, who had been suffering with illness before being replaced by Nolan on Wednesday.

Cole Skuse was back on the bench after recovering from illness with Trevoh Chalobah continuing in the deeper midfield role. Teddy Bishop started back-to-back games for the first time since November 2016.

Skipper Luke Chambers again missed out due to his foot injury with Bartosz Bialkowski wearing the armband.

Stoke, without a goal in four matches and an away win since October, made one change with James McClean replacing Benik Afobe as they moved to 4-5-1 rather than their more regular diamond.

Stand-in Blues skipper Bialkowski was the first keeper called into action, pawing away an awkward Tom Edwards cross from the right in the third minute.

But Town were beginning the game where they left off on Wednesday and on eight Judge tried a curling effort with the outside of his boot which looped not too far wide of Jack Butland’s right post without overly concerning the England keeper.

The two sets of fans subsequently paid tribute to probably England’s greatest ever keeper, ex-Stoke man Gordon Banks, who died earlier in the week.

Pennington did well to cut out a Tom Ince cross from the right in the 14th minute, then reacted quickest to clear after Myles Kenlock had dallied in the area.

Stoke were on top and a minute later McClean crossed from the left and the ball eventually fell to Joe Allen, who stabbed back to Ince, who rather fortunately for the Blues blazed well over.

Town subsequently had a decent spell and in the 20th minute Chalobah struck a low effort from the edge of the box through to Butland after a well-worked move down the right.

On 28 Stoke worked themselves a chance on the edge of the area but Ince’s shot deflected away from goal. Sam Vokes stuck out a foot but sent it wide and in any case was flagged offside.

The visitors largely continued to control the game and in the 34th minute - soon after McClean had been booked for a clumsy foul on James Bree - they went close to going in front.

Ince whipped over a cross from the right which Vokes headed over from eight yards when the Wales international will feel he should have done better.

Four minutes later, a low Ince cross from the right flashed across the Town six-yard box with no one adding the final touch and then just past the far post.

But it was far from all Stoke with the half having been an end to end affair and on 39 Bishop skipped into the area before sending a low ball across the box but too far in front of his team-mates.

On 41 Nolan almost found himself space to shoot as he broke into the area but was closed down, but a minute later the Potters took the lead after a disastrous mix-up in the Town defence.

Knudsen got to a ball played into the Town box from the left ahead of McClean, with Pennington also in attendance, and the Dane headed back towards goal. However, Bialkowski had come off his line - with his call presumably unheard - and the Irish international was able to turn into an empty net from a matter of inches. It was Stoke's first goal for 404 minutes after four goalless matches.

Judge, like McClean and Blues team-mate Keane watched by former Blues boss and current Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, back at Portman Road for the second time in four days, shot over and then cut in from the left and struck an effort which Butland claimed to his left as the Blues sought to get back on terms immediately.

There was applause for the Blues as they left the field at the break having been a touch unfortunate to be behind given the nature of the game.

Stoke had, however, shaded the half having created the better opportunities with Vokes missing the best of the game’s earlier chances.

The Blues had put together some neat moves but as so often of late with the final ball or shot going astray and Butland hadn’t been significantly stretched.

Six minutes after the restart, the Blues were within a couple of inches of levelling. After Bishop had won a freekick with a trademark run towards the box, Judge curled a freekick to Butland’s left which cannoned off the post. Quaner looked to get on the ball but turned his ankle and appeared to suffering a painful injury but was able to carry on.

Etebo smashed over for Stoke in the 58th minute with the Blues passing it around neatly at times but without being able to create a chance, Judge’s freekick aside.

A minute later Bishop made another strong run into the area and exchanged a one-two with Nolan but the ball was forced behind for a corner. In the 63rd minute Town switched Quaner for Kayden Jackson

Town began to take control as the game passed the 70-minute mark, enjoying long spells of possession but still without being able to carve out a serious chance with the Stoke defence remaining resolute.

On 76 Keane claimed a penalty when he felt a Nolan shot had struck Ryan Woods on the arm, however referee Scott Duncan felt otherwise.

The Blues continued to dominate possession and on 79 Kenlock scuffed a weak shot which struck a Stoke defender after a long spell of Town passing.

Gwion Edwards replaced Nolan for the final nine minutes and immediately made some impact, crossing for Jackson who acrobatically hooked over.

Town continued to take the game to the Potters as the game moved into three minutes of stoppage time.

And, after Toto Nsiala had replaced Bishop as an emergency striker, the Blues equalised via Keane. Judge sent over a corner from the right and Keane nodded into the net to Butland’s right to send Portman Road into relieved raptures.

There was no time for either side to find the game’s third goal before referee Duncan’s final whistle.

On the balance of the game overall, the Blues deserved a point having dominated for spells without creating many chances - in a manner which is all too familiar - while Stoke had few if any opportunities during the second half.

While it was a game the Blues were hopeful of winning on the back of Wednesday’s display against Derby, securing a late draw is still a relatively positive result with both Reading and Bolton losing 4-0 and Rotherham drawing 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday.

Town are now nine points plus goal difference from safety ahead of next week’s trip to Wigan and then a home game against the Royals.

Town: Bialkowski (c), Bree, Pennington, Knudsen, Kenlock, Chalobah, Nolan (Edwards 81), Bishop (Nsiala 90), Judge, Quaner (Jackson 63), Keane. Unused: Gerken, Skuse,, Dozzell, Dawkins.

Stoke City: Butland Edwards, Batth (c), Martins Indi, Clucas, Woods (Adam 81), Allen, Etebo, Ince (Shawcross 88), McClean (Afobe 76), Vokes. Unused: Federici, Bauer, Williams, Bojan. Referee: Scott Duncan (Northumberland). Att: 15,924 (Stoke: 1,138).

Photo: TWTD

Marinersnose added 20:48 - Feb 16 I'm slightly surprised by some of the negativity on the Radio Suffolk phone in. I was clearly watching a different game. Yes it was calamitous defending for the opening Stoke goal but there were so many positives. We got behind a decent Stoke defence on a number of occasions but lacked the predator in the box. Butland pulled offa decent save from Judge who had his best game since joining the club. Bishop was again so positive with the ball and is now showing the crowd that he still has what it takes. Pennington was a rock and Bree and Chalobah also had excellent games. Chalobah faded in the second half but I'm not surprised as he was all over the pitch and looks to be a player with a huge future. Many fans still criticise him but often he's a move ahead and those around him lack ability to read his intentions. Finally Will Keane worked so hard held the ball up well and scored a terrific goal. He is an excellent target man who works tirelessly off the ball as demonstrated against Derby for our equaliser. For me another positive performance. Lambert has the crowd onside and the patterns of play far better than previous seasons despite the results.

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cat added 21:12 - Feb 16 Proper footballs coming home???? It's nowhere near the finished article but it's certainly a work in progress. Decent point in light of the fact we went behind, that late one was proper sweetener. With Judge and Bish we now have a bit of flair in the side and in Trev, Edwards and the improving Nolan we have players capable of running forward with the ball. Shame the nailed on ‘gimme' was present, not sure who was more accountable out of Bart, who should have made the call and bossed the situ, or Jonas for his indecisiveness, but the latter has impressed me in that CB position so probably deserves the benefit. Pleasing to see the players are scrapping and are up for it, it's not over yet, but even if it is there's plenty of positive's in the tank!

12

warktheline added 21:31 - Feb 16 Some may call it 'fighting till the end', but realistically it's 'building' for life in Division 1! The likes of Bishop and co hopefully will continue to be selected up until final game, thus gaining valuable game time and experience . Certainly have the potential for a strong campaign next season if recent ideology and personnel remain Lambert's way forward !
6

algarvefan added 22:02 - Feb 16 Just a word for Jonas tonight really and that is head up mate, over the past 2 games as CB you have done extremely well and you don't go missing like you do at full back. I honestly think you have been one of our better players this week and hope you keep your place.
8

Linkboy13 added 23:27 - Feb 16 Another decent display today felt judge was outstanding again today he's got the habit of finding space all over the pitch bishop is getting stronger every match especially when he makes those darting runs in the last third of the pitch main worry for me is kenlock who gets out muscled too easily he's ok going forward but needs to be more consistent and cut out the errors and Pennington never seems to have a bad game player of the season for me so far by a long way.

5

Minneapolis_ITFC added 02:01 - Feb 17 The late goal was a real saver but it's victories the team needs right now if we're to have any chance of salvaging league status. Even now you believe it's too late to stave off a relegation. Going to be tough in the third league which seems very real in the time ahead. Can't fault the players showing desire and determination but came close to another defeat. Still we've improved from the garbage McCarthy and Hurst put upon the team, but for all the positives you read into it there has been no real change in league status.

2

SuffolkBlue11 added 07:22 - Feb 17 Never been so happy to see the boys get a point, UP THE TOWN, and an easy 6 points over the next two weeks
2

Saxonblue74 added 12:55 - Feb 17 Another very competent and entertaining performance against a decent team. Norwich, Derby and Stoke in succession in 7 days is tough for a team who are having to play at full tempo to compete. Under different circumstances a point against Derby and Stoke would be decent. Despite the calamity for the goal Knudsen did well again today. Keep this up for the next 2 fixtures and they are very winable and if other results go our way (as they largely have been) the table could soon look very different.

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blueboy1981 added 17:04 - Feb 17 Terrible mix up for the Stoke goal between Bart' and Knudsen - six and two three's that - Knudsen put the ball into the right area for the keeper to logically be - where was he ? - not where he should have been .... !! A call from the keeper should have been all that was necessary to avoid such a stupid mistake. No excuse for it, from either party - just typical of why we are where we are. A point yes, but we needed three - and should have been capable of all three.

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blueboy1981 added 17:16 - Feb 17 ....... reality of the situation is that a comic cuts mixup between two players, who are extremely unlikely to be with us next season, cost us three points. Still not at all convinced that either player's heads are with us, and the cause right now.
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cat added 18:01 - Feb 17 It was one of them Blueboy, not sure what happened to ‘if in doubt knock it out', or if your playing it back to the keeper do so wide of the goal, maybe the forward closing it down threw them, but it was ultimately in Barts domain and his call. Bart still looks shaky and the wider issue is when your playing possession football your keeper has to be football savvy and more involved, Cech of Arsenal is a prime example, one of the prem greats, but put the ball at his feet and he turns to mush, hence why he don't play no more. Football has evolved and keepers who can't play are becoming extinct, unless of course you play for Eire! (Lol)

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Razor added 10:30 - Feb 18 Yep we were well worth a point and it was good to do a Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarwich and get one. Pity Harrisson got bug as I really fancy him up front with Keane---so much energy pace and power I fancy us at Wigan----and then Reading, those 7 days could change our season.
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Nobbysnuts added 13:30 - Feb 18 That point was not massive but the two we dropped were.
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