Lloyd Kelly’s 68th-minute own goal saw Town to a 1-1 draw away at Bristol City, former Blues defender Adam Webster having headed the Robins in front in the 32nd minute. Kelly inadvertently smashed Myles Kenlock’s low cross into his own net to hand Town what was a deserved equaliser.

Boss Paul Lambert made five changes for the visit to Ashton Gate with Josh Emmanuel and Toto Nsiala coming into the defence, Trevoh Chalobah and Andre Dozzell starting in midfield, and Kayden Jackson replacing Collin Quaner up front.

Emmanuel made his first Town start since the final day of 2016/17 with loanee James Bree and midfield duo Cole Skuse and Teddy Bishop all dropping to the bench, while there was no place in the matchday squad for either Quaner or Jonas Knudsen.

Young keeper Harry Wright and midfielder Idris El Mizouni, who has impressed at reserve and youth levels this season, were both named on the bench for the first time in their senior careers.

The home side gave a debut to New Zealander Stefan Marinovic in goal, while former Town player Webster, who joined Bristol City in the summer, started at the back.

Inside the first minute, Jackson closed down Marinovic following a routine back-pass and although the Kiwi international had taken too long to clear the ball, following Jackson's block the ball rolled across the area before being hacked away by Kelly for an early corner.

The Blues had started well and controlled much of the opening play, and a neat touch from Jon Nolan came close to releasing Jackson but the Town front man was denied by some good defending from the hosts.

In the 10th minute, a wide right free-kick from Alan Judge was only partially cleared by the Robins and the ball fell to Chalobah just inside the box, but his first-time volley was skewed well wide of the target.

Minutes later, Chalobah played the ball out to Gwion Edwards on the right but Jackson was unable to make any meaningful contact with the Welshman's deep cross.

Famara Diedhiou cleared Judge's freekick away for another corner for the Blues which was flicked over by skipper Chambers at the near post, moments before Marinovic did well to get down low to parry away a deflected volley from Judge.

The hosts had their first little spell of pressure with a couple of left-sided corners shortly before the midway point in the first half, the second of which was headed over by Diedhiou.

Dozzell was lucky to avoid a booking after a blatant pull back on Jack Hunt wide on the right and from the resultant freekick, the ball fell kindly to Andreas Weimann and he hit a shot from the corner of the six-yard box which struck the outside of Bartosz Bialkowski's near post.

Nsiala and Edwards then combined to make an important block to deny Weimann, who had cut in and hit a dangerous left-foot shot from close range.

On the half hour mark, Dozzell committed a second rather cynical foul in a matter of minutes - this time on Eliasson on the halfway line - and he received the first caution of the game, and his second of the season.

Two minutes later the home side worked a short corner back to Eliasson and his dangerous ball into the area looped into the air following a deflection off Dozzell's head and Webster beat Nsiala in the air to head home from a couple of yards out.

Half-hearted appeals from Town for a penalty for handball after Judge's long-range effort struck Hunt were waved away by referee Darren Bond, before Diedhiou acrobatically turned Hunt's cross over the bar at the other end.

Marinovic collected and held a 25-yard drive from Edwards, shortly before another dangerous delivery from Eliasson was helped onto the roof of the net by the unmarked Diedhiou.

After a bright first 15 minutes which they again failed to make count in terms of goals, the much-changed Blues had faded with the Robins’ goal another which boss Lambert will feel shouldn’t have been conceded, while Webster being the man to score against his old club had an inevitability about it.

Chalobah struck the second half’s first shot in the 50th minute but Marinovic was able to save the on-loan Chelsea man’s effort from long distance despite it having some power in it.

Town continued to look to take the game to the home side and press but without being able to create an opening.

On 57 Marinovic was only able to punch a Dozzell freekick straight up in the air, however, Diedhiou was able to clear.

Six minutes later Jamie Paterson claimed a penalty, however, the former Forest man appeared to run straight into Chambers and Emmanuel rather than either of them fouling him.

As in the first half the Robins had started the period slowly but on 66 they might have increased their lead. Eliasson crossed from the left and Paterson flicked a header across the face and wide.

But a minute later, Marinovic was forced into his first significant save of the period, the New Zealander getting down low to his left to save Edwards’s shot from the edge of the box with Judge, unmarked in the centre, believing he was the better option.

From the resultant corner, a Robins defender almost diverted the ball into his own net but was relieved to see it go wide of the post.

However, from the flag-kick which followed, an own goal did put the Blues back on terms. Nolan rolled the ball into the path of Kenlock on the left and the full-back powered over a low ball which England U21 international Kelly could only slam into his own net from a few feet out.

The Robins swapped Weimann and Paterson for Callum O’Dowda and Kasey Palmer in the 73rd minute as they looked to restore their lead.

Two minutes later the Blues swapped Nolan and Judge for ex-Robin Cole Skuse and debutant Idris El Mizouni, who lined-up on the right of the five-man midfield

The home side began to see more of the ball in Town’s half, but the Blues began to look more of a threat on the break, looking to make the most of Jackson’s pace.

Palmer saw a shot from the edge of the box blocked in the 82nd minute with neither side looking overly threatening as the game moved into its final 10 minutes. Moments later, the Robins swapped Eliasson for Matthew Taylor.

There was another heart-in-the-mouth moment for Marinovic in the 84th minute when his poor touch almost gifted the ball to Jackson. However, the keeper managed to get back and clear via a somewhat wild lunge which left the Town striker on the floor.

Bishop took over from Dozzell for the final four scheduled minutes, prior to Josh Brownhill hitting a shot from an angle on the left into the side-netting.

Town’s third sub won a freekick midway inside the Bristol City half in the final minute, Hunt picking up a yellow card for the foul.

Following the freekick, Bishop skipped into the box on the right and was unfortunate to see his shot from a tight angle deflect behind.

Town were the ones pressing for the winning goal as the match moved into three additional minutes.

However, the Robins went close following a counter-attack, Emmanuel snuffing out Marlon Pack’s attempt from Taylor’s low cross from the left.

Another 1-1 draw for the Blues, five of their last six games having ended in the same scoreline.

Having been behind to Webster’s goal at the break Town were only rarely seriously threatened in the second half.

Equally, while the Blues had a lot of the ball in the Bristol City half Marinovic also not significantly tested on too many occasions with the New Zealander almost proving his own worst enemy.

A draw was probably a fair result overall with what was a very young Blues side able to match a team battling for the play-offs - although on this evidence the Robins will struggle to stay in the top six - belying Town’s bottom-of-the-table standing.

The Blues only really hit the level of Saturday's display at West Brom in the opening 15 minutes but were otherwise largely untroubled by Bristol City during a game played in front of a surprisingly sullen and pre-season-like home crowd.

The gap to safety is now 11 points with fourth-bottom Millwall not in action with Town’s next game at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Town: Bialkowski, Emmanuel, Chambers (c), Nsiala, Kenlock, Chalobah, Dozzell (Bishop 86), Nolan (Skuse 75), Edwards, Judge (El Mizouni 75), Jackson. Unused: Wright, Harrison, Bree, Dawkins.

Bristol City: Marinovic, Webster, Brownhill, Diedhou, Weimann (O’Dowda 73), Kelly, Eliasson (Taylor 83), Paterson (Palmer 73), Pack (c), Kalas, Hunt. Unused: O'Leary, Dasilva, Wright, Semenyo. Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire). Att: 18,411 (Town: 525).

Photo: Action Images

warktheline added 07:34 - Mar 13 This is the way forward, a blend of 'our youth' and seasoned pros, this without doubt doesn't include Chambers! 'All the managers have rated him'....my answer to that? We currently sit BOTTOM of the Championship! Food for thought for some! Well done Lambert, unload Chambers and let's start next season with a positive mentality !
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ITFCsince73 added 08:29 - Mar 13 I can honestly say I havnt enjoyed a town match as much since the play off season. Not because of performance or result. Just the simple fact, that Bryan Klug is producing the best young talent the club has ever seen. Bryan Klug is a club legend. What we see last night is just the beginning. We have a wealth of talent ready to be unleashed....Rise Sir Bryan Klug. The saviour of ITFC.

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midastouch added 09:03 - Mar 13 It's so much more satisfying to see a team of our own playing rather than a team stuffed full of loan rangers! I'm all for 1 or 2 good quality loan players who can add an extra dimension, but I'm totally against going overboard on the loan market. I've been resigned to going down for some time and I'm honestly not worried about it at all. It could be a great environment for our younger players to adapt and kick on. Plenty of other teams have taken 1 step backwards and ultimately 2 forwards so if we play our cards right then we might be able to do the same. I don't pretend promotion next season is a sure thing but I do hope we're challenging at least. Anything worse than reaching the Play Offs next season would be deemed a failure I expect.

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Barty added 09:06 - Mar 13 oh for a goalscorer - I can put dream !!!!!!!!
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midastouch added 09:19 - Mar 13 I don't know what goes on behind the scenes but I did sort of get the feeling that Klug and Hurst (and Doig or whatever his name was!) weren't really singing off the hymn sheet. I think that it's important for the manager to have a good working relationship with Klug as he really is like our secret weapon! To leave him on the sidelines would be a total waste. Hopefully he has a healthy working relationship with Lambert and they get the most out of each other. I could be wrong about Hurst as obviously I don't know what went on behind closed doors. It's just a feeling I got. When I went to an Ipswich U23 vs Lowestoft game pre season I never saw Hurst talk to Klug once which I thought was a bit odd. Maybe I'm reading too much into that but the impression I got at least that night is they didn't seem to be bosom buddies!

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beornioblue added 09:27 - Mar 13 Well played last night boys , were not getting beat we just cant score very impressed with our Tunisian wonderkid, thinks he may as well get a striking start. Thought Bishop looked extremely sharp as soon as he came on, if he can get an end shooting product on to these runs he is going to score a hat full next season. What great practice that will be for out return into the Championship! I agree Chambers has been a good captain and always stands up for his players/manager but he is a liability now and i can think of at least 5 goals he has directly cost us this season, and he nearly did again last night in injury time.

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beornioblue added 09:29 - Mar 13 Also the players like Edwards, Nolan and Jackson now have championship experience and know what to expect when we come back up. Dont get me wrong L1 isnt a walkover but if we play like this and get scoring we should be right at the top of that league next year ! It could actually be beneficial to these players to have had champ experience and now have a season to hone their scoring/shooting skills before the come back ...Im ever optimistic haha

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bluemike1969 added 09:57 - Mar 13 Whats this? Bluemike1969 about to put another positive comment! What I am now finding pleasing is the fact that the team has developed fight, the heads are not going down when we concede. I agree with others when they say that P.L is now constructing a team for next season, that you can see in the selection. Just wish they would give my boy Tristan a run out now. I supported him when he was at St Benedicts and he loves the club. Hopefully he will be part of the team next season when we kick off in league 1. Either way, I know we won't 'walk it' next season, it is going to be a tough league to get out of, but we will be stronger for being there and I think we are ready to 'rough it up' a bit in a league that is very physical.

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brittaniaman added 09:57 - Mar 13 Sheffield Utd. is a typical example this season beornioblue.
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ITFCsince73 added 10:12 - Mar 13 Paul Hurst joined the club with the impossible task to rid the club of the MM legacy. I'm sure we all agree that must of been a daunting task. Although only in the job months, he began the process. Last night we finally see the final nail in the MM coffin. The whole nation on TV, knew us as IT hoof c. That legacy finally put to bed. The thought that we will never, ever see a town starting 11 containing the 3 proper blokes and Spence. Fills me with relief, that a legacy that will go down as one of the clubs darkest ever periods. Finally put to bed. It was never going to be an easy ride or task. It was always going to mean relegation. But so so worth it.

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dirtydingusmagee added 10:25 - Mar 13 good performance and had we not been in current dire position the point would have been regarded as a good one. Well done lads. I still dont see it being the walk in the park in Lge 1 that some think it will be. They are just seeing our team playing they dont watch or follow Lge 1 teams and i think are under estimating the opposition we will be facing. It will be tough. and we will STILL need a stronger team than we have at present.

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Sindre94 added 10:28 - Mar 13 Dont think Chambo was particularly poor. He slipped near the end, but except that I thought he lead the line well and played safe and well. Really fed up with all the Chambo-slating.
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:36 - Mar 13 as far as Chambers is concerned IMO he is a good club man , an honest person, and a driving force in the dressing room, UNFORTUNATELY he is not a gifted footballer, and is now slow both physically and mentally ,prone to mistakes, [which is evident in almost all games] He is loyal ,and that deserves respect, but it does not mean he should be in team .I think he should bow out now,and good luck to him in the future .

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beornioblue added 10:45 - Mar 13 yes unfortunately Britannia and West Brom...
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beornioblue added 11:08 - Mar 13 Couldnt agree more Dingus maximum respect for the guy and has seemed like a top bloke when I have met him but all things naturally come to an end and as he is Mr Ipswich he can surely see that his performances have slipped right off now and are effecting results.
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Bergholtblue added 11:11 - Mar 13 Five 1-1 draws in the last 6 matches. If only we had converted a couple of those into wins and we might still be believing!
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cat added 11:35 - Mar 13 Great to see the youths getting acknowledged as there's some real talent in there. Another good away performance where we took the game to the opposition with some nice, neat and tidy football. There's defo a buzz around the club despite our current status and even better that sky acknowledged this on there commentary last night, so the message is to anyone revelling in our demise, ‘up yours' cause we'll come back stronger!!

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midastouch added 11:47 - Mar 13 Would like to see Wolfenden and possibly Danny Rowe get a proper look in next season too. We have had enough talent at the fringes of the team for some time now to have not needed to loan every Tom, Dick and Harry from here there and everywhere. Would of saved us a lot of money in wages and helped the development of our own players no end. Thankfully Lambert is seeing that. His hand is being forced to a degree by the lack of funds but why go and spend 1 million on a player when you might have one just as good if not better already in the academy. Evans is never going to give us the funds to buy success in the transfer market so we have to breed our own.

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IpswichT62OldBoy added 12:56 - Mar 13 This is the first time I have felt hopeful and optimistic in years. There was a spell under Mmc when we were in the automatic promotion place, but I never thought we would get through the playoffs after failing to invest. Also no sense of a long term plan or development though in fairness to Mmc, he did get Klug back.
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BobbyBell added 13:07 - Mar 13 So frustrating that WBA scored via deflection and now Bristol City with a deflected cross that fell to there forward. Even a deflection off the referee nearly set them up for a goal. We were denied a corner that clearly came off their defender and their corner from which they scored should never have been taken as the ball was outside. We could be four points better off. When will those things start going our way??? When Jackson nicked the ball off the keeper it was just a few inches too far in front of him to turn it into the net.I guess it just comes with being bottom, nothing seems to run your way.

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blueboy1981 added 17:06 - Mar 13 ....... diabolical decision by the Linesman to allow that corner to be taken from where it was - would have been pulled up for that in a local Sunday League game. We have had NO luck go our way this season for sure - just another example of why the sooner it's over - the better.
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blueboy1981 added 17:06 - Mar 13 ....... diabolical decision by the Linesman to allow that corner to be taken from where it was - would have been pulled up for that in a local Sunday League game. We have had NO luck go our way this season for sure - just another example of why the sooner it's over - the better.
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