Sub Aaron Drinan netted his first goal for the Blues as 10-man Town drew 1-1 with Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road. Charlie Kirk gave the home side the lead on 59 but Drinan bundled home the leveller on 75, seven minutes before Teddy Bishop was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Town boss Paul Lambert made three changes from the team which lost 1-0 at home to Sunderland on Tuesday with Myles Kenlock, Alan Judge and Freddie Sears returning to the side.

Kenlock was at left-back for Stephen Ward, who dropped to the bench, with Judge in the more advanced role in place of Jon Nolan, who was left out of the 18, while Sears was the lone central striker replacing Kayden Jackson, suspended for three games following his red card on Tuesday.

James Norwood, who has been out with a recurrence of his hamstring, was among the subs, as was young defender Elkan Baggott, who signed his first professional contract earlier in the week.

Crewe made five changes with Harry Pickering, Mikael Mandron, Luke Murphy, Billy Jones and Stephen Walker coming into the team for Rio Adebisi, Chris Porter, Tom Lowery, Travis Johnson, and Owen Dale.

After the two teams had taken a knee in support of Black Lives Matter, the Blues started the brighter, winning two early corners which home keeper David Richards was forced to punch away, not entirely comfortably given the windy conditions.

In the 11th minute a clever Edwards flicked sent Kenlock away down the left but the full-back’s cross was cut out and eventually the Blues won another corner which Oliver Lancashire inadvertently headed just past his own far post.

Two minutes later, a Town move from deep in their own half ended with Luke Thomas cutting in from the right and hitting a low shot which Richards turned past his near post.

On 14 Edwards hit a testing, dipping 25-yard strike which Richards batted away, the ball falling safely for the Railwaymen.

Crewe had struggled to make any impact going forward but in the 18th minute they went close to going in front when they deftly passed their way into the box and Mandron seemed certain to score from the edge of the six-yard box until Kenlock slid in to make a superb challenge.

The Railwaymen began to see most of the ball and in the 28th minute Kirk got to the byline on the left but twice saw low balls into the box cut out.

Just after the half-hour mark, Kirk had the ball in the net after his initial effort had been saved by Tomas Holy, however, the wideman had strayed offside.

Kenlock, who had begun his first league start since October promisingly both defensively and when going forward, was shown the game’s first yellow card in the 32nd minute for a late tackle on Murphy on the edge of the Alex area.

Sears joined his team-mate in referee Ross Joyce’s book four minutes later for catching Ryan Wintle with a high boot. On 39 Omar Beckles had his name taken for a foul on Judge.

Chances continued to be rare at both ends has half-time grew close. In the 43rd minute Sears hit a shot from distance which curled well away from goal.

As the game moved into two additional minutes, Kirk struck a powerful effort which struck Woolfenden on the edge of the box.

Moments later, Sears was flagged offside after seizing on a Beckles error with Norwood and Lankester, warming up and well-placed to make a decision, certain the linesman was wrong, and they appeared to have a case.

That was the last incident of an evenly-balanced half of few chances. Town, again not quite as ponderous in possession as they have been at times this season, started positively and won a number of early corners.

However, Crewe began to see more of the ball and worked the best opportunity of the period when Mandron was thwarted by Kenlock.

Thomas’s low effort which Richards saved at his near post and Edwards’s long-range strike had been the closest Town had come to a goal.

Two minutes after the break, Kenlock held off Murphy as the Crewe midfielder chased a ball over the top and Holy claimed.

On 50 Edwards scraped a shot well wide following a long spell of Blues possession, then two minutes later Dale replaced Walker for the Railwaymen.

In the 61st minute, Chambers intercepted a loose pass on halfway, brought it forward and hit a weak shot which struck a defender on the edge of the area. The ball fell to Thomas, who tried to play in Edwards on the left of the box but the Welshman failed to read his pass.

Crewe took the lead with their first serious attack of the half in the 59th minute. Luke Woolfenden was dispossessed in the centre circle, claiming he had been pulled back by Mandron and appeared to have a case. Wintle took the ball forward and played it wide to Kirk on the Crewe left and the left winger swept past Holy for his sixth goal of the season.

Town boss Lambert, who was back on his feet in the technical area having spent the previous few games sitting in the dugout following his recent illness, quickly made a double substitution, Norwood and Bishop taking over from Sears and Thomas. Soon after the change, Oliver Finney shot over in the aftermath of a corner.

In the 69th minute a brilliant Dozzell pass played in Edwards on the left, from where the winger cut across towards Norwood at the far post but Beckles turned it wide ahead of the Town striker.

Moments later, as Crewe broke following the corner, Bishop was booked for a foul on Kirk, who himself was yellow-carded on 73 after a clash with Flynn Downes.

On 75 the Blues swapped Edwards for Drinan, the Irishman joining Norwood up front, and within seconds the sub levelled with his second touch of the game.

Judge lofted a hopeful ball into the box, Lancashire inadvertently chested across his own area and the former Waterford man bundled the ball home as he challenged with a defender, injuring himself as he did so.

However, Drinan was OK to carry on having finally scored his first senior competitive goal for the Blues.

Crewe went looking to restore their lead and in the 78th minute Finney’s drifting effort from the right was palmed over by Holy.

A minute later the Alex had an even better chance when a ball looped into the area from deep on the right saw three players in behind the Town defence and Jones headed over when he really should have scored. On 79 Crewe replaced goalscorer Kirk and Finney were replaced with Daniel Powell and Antony Evans.

In the 82nd minute the Blues were reduced to 10 men for the second game running when Bishop was shown his second yellow card and then a red for a foul on Murphy.

The frustrated midfielder made his way to the tunnel and could count himself somewhat unfortunate with the two fouls he committed, although certainly infringements, hardly warranting a red card between them.

Town saw out the remaining scheduled minutes and five more in additional time to secure a point, which was a fair reflection of the game.

Neither team did enough to claim all three with chances rare throughout, although with both teams having missed one or two opportunities in the second half.

Drinan has deserved to get off the mark having broken into the first team this season and although the goal was far from a classic, it will be one the Irish U21 international will always remember.

Any momentum the Blues might have gained from that goal was halted Bishop was dismissed for two nothing fouls in the opposition half of the field. The midfielder will miss one game as a result.

Town are without a win in three, although also unbeaten in four away from home, two draws and two wins. They drop to 11th in the table, but are now only four points from the play-offs.

However, the result and slip of a further place will do little to reduce the pressure on manager Lambert ahead of Blackpool’s visit to Portman Road next week.

Crewe: Richards, Jones, Lancashire, Beckles, Pickering (c), Murphy, Wintle, Finney (Evans 79), Walker (Dale 52), Kirk (Powell 79), Mandron. Unused: Jaaskelainen, Lowery, Porter, Johnson.

Ipswich: Holy, Chambers (c), Woolfenden, McGuinness, Kenlock, Dozzell, Downes, Judge, Thomas (Bishop 63), Edwards (Drinan 75), Sears (Norwood 63). Unused: Cornell, Ward, Lankester, Baggott. Referee: Ross Joyce (Cleveland).

Photo: Pagepix

davetheblue added 17:26 - Jan 30 If evans has any sense he will have clauses regarding promotion within 2 seasons of league 1. This surely can be the only reason lambert is being kept on.
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bluearmy4life added 17:27 - Jan 30 Glad I saved a tenner! Lambert out! But I've played for big clubs..................
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herobobby added 17:27 - Jan 30 Let me put all in perspective WE ARE 11th IN LEAGUE ONE LAMBERT Don't bother trotting out you normal Boll***s Look at the league table Enough said
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budgieplucker added 17:27 - Jan 30 Under other circumstances given how well Crewe have performed that could have been classed as a decent point. However, we just look toothless. Thomas, Sears, Edwards, Judge - our attacking force we'll just needed Ken Dodd on the pitch to help the “DiddyMen”, we try to play as if we are Barcelona and walk the ball into the net, but just fall flat in the final third. We need more aggression up front and when we went 4-4-2 for a few minutes we made an immediate impact having two forwards in the box. However, Drinan has to drop deep when we went down to 10 men. I am not a Myles Kenlock fan but all fairness to the boy he was our man of match, and I am pleased he put in a really good performance. He seems to have put on some timber and looked quite strong going forward, and added some physicality. Don't start me on Alan “Hospital Ball” Judge. That about says it for me - Yes we look tidy in spells but just look so impotent. No physicality, no threat from set pieces, and players giving niggly, frustrating and often needless fouls away left right and centre and picking up bookings and red cards. You make you own luck, you get 5 chances and you might get a couple of goals, but how many real chances do we carve out!! We can't progress in or get out of this league unless we Show a lot more power in our play.

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davetheblue added 17:28 - Jan 30 If evans has any sense he will have clauses regarding promotion within 2 seasons of league 1. This surely can be the only reason lambert is being kept on.
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Marinersnose added 17:28 - Jan 30 The performance was predictable but not the score as I couldn't see us scoring with such a toothless attack. PL has given up imo and is just waiting for the axe to fall. Why play Judge ? Why play Chambers ? Excellent decision to drop Ward but Chambers has also been appalling and his incompetence impacts on Woolfenden in the same way that Ward was exposing MMG. Top half of the table will be a miracle the way Lambert is setting up the team. One up front is the way forward as two doesn't work. We scored with two up top. Like MM he is a stubborn old Dinosaur on a lucrative contract who is building up a nice retirement fund. These are really sad times at the club. Like so many I keep spending my money watching and supporting with the view that I've enjoyed the good times so they need support through the bad times. These are bad times. Really bad times.

13

Bert added 17:29 - Jan 30 Generally poor, created more when we had two up front (just), poor referring decisions again. This is league one and is awful to watch. Siege mentality has set in so Lambert will still be here.
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Suffolkboy added 17:29 - Jan 30 If all this doesn't point to things being very wrong at the top of our Team Management tree ,then the puzzle seem deep indeed ! It is unfortunate TD seems to have been the victim of an over zealous official , who might have run out of patience , BUT again the fouls count against ITFC is telling . We desperately need a ‘confidence ‘ injection so that players themselves are more at ease , more relaxed and yet more focussed and together concentrated . If we as supporters , reporters , media generally simply cannot fathom what plans , if any , exist to enable any change for the better or produce the positive gathering of points , then unless the owner has a secret potion up his sleeve , we sadly might all as well give up ! PL steadfastly acknowledges, or openly states , he doesn't read anything , doesn't take notice of anything , isn't affected by outside criticism and generally appears wrapped in an impenetrable cocoon ! WHAT an inspiration ,NOT !! Something has to give ! COYB

3

Len_Brennan added 17:29 - Jan 30 If Evans is honest, & has an understanding of football that an owner should have, it should not matter that we managed to get an equaliser when it comes to sacking Lambert. He has gotten it wrong & won't admit it or change it. I have no expectation that he'll acknowledge the difference in play that can make our team more potent.
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:30 - Jan 30 1-1 , Suppose that will give Dolphin & Dcrew something to cling on to. LAMBERT OOOUUUT
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midastouch added 17:30 - Jan 30 @TimmyH. I meant 1 point from a possible 9 points (over the last 3 games) and 4 points from a possible 15 points (over the last 5 games).
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midastouch added 17:32 - Jan 30 @ dirtydingusmagee, I think DolphinBlue said enough is enough last game or the game before. After the Posh game I think. He's now in the Negative Crewe :-)
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heathen66 added 17:32 - Jan 30 Shocking Result Scored within 2 mins of going 2 up top. I bet none of us had thought of doing that. Enough is indeed enough, however transfer window is all but closed, so what can a new man do apart from motivation and a completely different approach. Something needs to be done and done NOW!!!
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Nobbysnuts added 17:33 - Jan 30 Absolute garbage....but it is another point away from the relegation zone..😂😂😂 just go lambert your only embarrassing yourself with your deluded comments..your a laughing stock and your dragging our once great club down with you...
8

DerryfromBury added 17:35 - Jan 30 The club needs a complete clear out. If we carry on like this we'll end up in league two. I suppose you could then argue at least 99% of the current squad will feel completely at home, to be honest some of them would struggle to get in a National League team. What an absolute disaster and embarrassment ITFC has become.
10

suffolkblueeye added 17:36 - Jan 30 Unable to create one clear chance, lucky equaliser, Crewe should of won and I was disappointed they didn't.....Lambert out now, not watching this sh*t again.
3

therein61 added 17:37 - Jan 30 Stephen Warnock made withering comments about Lamberts man management attitude when he played at Villa under him on football focus this lunch time, this is what we've got boys and girls someone so aloof he feels communicating where it matters is beneath him as he's played for some big clubs you know!!!, FOR HEAVENS SAKE GET HIM OUT OF OUR CLUB NOW!!
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londontractorboy57 added 17:40 - Jan 30 Same comments just a different anager bcwywf
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johnwarksshorts added 17:42 - Jan 30 I've supported this club for 52years, through great times and not so great, but we have reached an all time low. I am so sorry for all the supporters of are great club who have to put up with this. Our manager, sadly has totally lost his way, he is unable for some reason to play 4 4 2, he has totally sucked the confidence out of the players. Evan's has got to get rid of him NOW.

12

wezley53 added 17:45 - Jan 30 What a shambles, both teams were very very poor, worst game ive watched so far. Apart from lack of coaching and technique the mindset is all wrong why were we in no hurry to try and get the winner? Holy certainly wasnt in any hurry. Got to be a clear out of players and of coarse management. Only positive i saw from today was that Kenlock who ive always criticised was our best player.

5

Gazelle added 17:45 - Jan 30 Although they've lost a few I see Rochdale have scored 22 in their last 9 games, we could do with their forward line.
2

therein61 added 17:45 - Jan 30 Just as well we are in lockdown as i wouldn't like to think what the crowd would have been v Blackpool(when Garbutt puts in a 25 yard screamer to take the points) i'll start the ball rolling and say as a guess about 8,000.
2

martin587 added 17:48 - Jan 30 It is an absolute travesty that PL is still manager.His team selection formation and tactics are laughable now.We are now 11th and ok we have a few games in hand but we will now have to rely on teams above to drop points.The teams above are all performing well and we have yet to find to find a rhythm or settled team.PLEASE Marcus get rid of PL now as we just cannot keep going like this.Surely even you as a business man can see this.I've said enough otherwise I could get locked up.

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Dolphinblue added 17:48 - Jan 30 Enough is Enough.....Lambert out!
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Umros added 17:49 - Jan 30 Another comfortable afternoon on the sofa falling asleep listening to poor Brenner Woolley try and make another dire game sound interesting.....even he sounds like he's being dragged through the mill watching this dross week in week out. Hanging on against the nightly Crewe through our own incompetencies. What lucky player is to confirm ‘we have to do better' tonight and then build up the false hope spout bull for the next game during the week?. I genuinely feel sorry for Lambert and his health but if football continues then I'm afraid so do the decisions that need to be made.

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