Town drew 0-0 away in Lancashire for the second time in 10 days as they shared the points with bottom side Rochdale. Chances were rare at both ends throughout with neither side managing a shot on target in the 90 minutes.

Troy Parrott replaced James Norwood in an otherwise unchanged Town side, the former Tranmere man having suffered a thigh injury during Good Friday’s 2-1 home victory over Bristol Rovers.

The Blues continued in the 3-5-2 system they switched to against the Pirates, while striker Oli Hawkins and left-back Myles Kenlock returned to the bench with Freddie Sears dropping out of the 18.

Rochdale made two changes from the team which lost 2-1 at Portsmouth on Monday with centre-half Haydon Roberts replacing Paul McShane and Jay Lynch in goal for Irish international Gavin Bazanu.

There was a late of change of referee with Robert Lewis taking charge instead of Christopher Sarginson who was scheduled to take control.

After the players and officials had taken a knee in support of Black Lives Matters, again with the exception of Toto Nsiala and also Rochdale’s Roberts, the home side saw most of the ball in the early stages as the teams sought to get used to the strong wind but without seriously threatening.

But Town, wearing their light blue away kit, began to get on top and in the ninth minute Alan Judge hit the first shot of the game well over the bar.

In the 15th minute, following a throw on the right, Gwion Edwards crossed from the right towards the far post but too far in front of Stephen Ward, who had broken forward into the area in response to instructions from manager Paul Cook from the dugout.

On 20 Luke Woolfenden worked himself space for a shot from an Andre Dozzell corner on the right but his effort was blocked.

The Blues were looking to get the ball forward quickly for Kayden Jackson to chase, while at the other end the Town backline had prevented the home side from threatening.

In the 31st minute Jackson charged down a clearance from Dale keeper Lynch and spent a minute or so on the ground winded before carrying on.

Town began to pass the ball around more slickly and in the 34th minute Parrott exchanged passes with Jackson as he broke into the area but the on-loan Tottenham man was crowded out as he looked to get in a shot.

Three minutes later, after a Blues free-kick on the right had been half-cleared, Nsiala laid the ball to Judge 25 yards out and the Irishman struck a shot which few not too far wide of Lynch’s right post.

As half-time approached, Town moved Edwards to the left of as the Blues moved to a 4-2-3-1 system, perhaps more 4-2-2-1-1 with Parrott behind Jackson.

In injury time, home skipper Eoghan O’Connell played an under-hit backpass from distance into the wind which Jackson seized upon, however, Roberts got across to play to Lynch.

Once again chances had been rare at both ends with neither side managing a shot on target in the 45 minutes. Judge’s shot beyond the post the nearest either team had got to a goal in a not hugely entertaining wind-affected half.

Jackson’s pace in behind had threatened to cause Rochdale problems on a number of occasions but without resulting in any actual chances, while Parrott’s clever feet had almost worked the Irish striker a chance.

At the other end, the Blues had been comfortable with Dale never looking like creating an opening with set pieces having presented their main threat.

Five minutes after the restart the Blues were awarded a free-kick not far outside the area to the right for a foul on Judge, although with Bishop breaking into the area and looking to have a shooting opportunity. Dozzell took the free-kick and curled it just wide.

On 55 Jake Beesley, son of former Town kitman Paul, sent a low ball across the Blues area from the left but with none of his team-mates having broken into the box.

Town claimed a penalty in the 62nd minute when Parrott was upended as he and two defenders battled for the ball to the right of goal inside the box. It looked a racing incident rather than a foul.

Rochdale, who had been on top since the break, thought they’d won a penalty three minutes later when Matty Done went to ground as he took the ball past Nsiala, however, the linesman’s flag had been raised, saving referee Robert Lewis from a big decision with the Rochdale man appearing to dive.

Dale swapped Kwado Baah and Conor Grant for Alex Newby and Stephen Dooley in the 65th minute.

Town had made little impact since half-time so it was little surprise when manager Cook made a triple substitution in the 72nd minute with Josh Harrop, Oli Hawkins and Armando Dobra taking over from Judge, Parrott and Edwards.

The introduction of the subs added some urgency to Town’s previously torpid approach and on 76 Dobra made a pacy run forward from inside the Blues’ half before feeding Jackson to his right. The striker crossed for Harrop well placed in the middle but a defender took it off the on-loan Preston man’s foot just as he looked certain to score. Town swapped Jackson for Aaron Drinan with 10 minutes left on the clock.

A minute later, Done worked himself space to shoot from a tight angle on the left but Woolfenden bundled it behind. With six minutes remaining Kenlock replaced Bishop in a left-sided role ahead of Ward.

With a minute and a half remaining, Harrop was booked for a foul on Ollie Rathbone as Dale looked to break.

Another frustrating afternoon for Town fans. A win would have taken the Blues to within a point of the play-offs but Town never seriously threatened against the division’s bottom-placed side, who were the better team for much of the second half. Neither side managing a shot on target summed up an afternoon of toil and little quality.

A second 0-0 away draw in Lancashire in 10 days for the Blues who remain in the running for a play-off place - they’re now eighth, three points off the top six - but while showing little that indicates that they’re capable of making a serious challenge in their remaining eight matches.

Rochdale: Lynch, Osho, O'Connell (c), Beesley, Keohane, Rathbone, Roberts, Done, Grant (Dooley 65), Shaughnessy, Baah (Newby 65). Unused: Bazunu, McNulty, McShane, Morley, Vale.

Town: Holy, Woolfenden, Nsiala, Chambers (c), Edwards (Dobra 72), Dozzell, Bishop (Kenlock 84), Judge (Harrop 72), Ward, Parrott (Hawkins 72), Jackson (Drinan 80). Unused: Cornell, McGuinness, Kenlock. Referee: Robert Lewis (Shrewsbury).

Photo: Pagepix

suffolkblueeye added 19:24 - Apr 5 Crap players
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londontractorboy57 added 19:30 - Apr 5 We win good friday 2 pages of comments draw bankholiday monday 5 pages what a lot of melt supporters you are on the news site.
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cat added 19:32 - Apr 5 Give Cook some time ffs. It's the players who ain't up for it. Getting paid thousands a week. They are an embarrassment to the club and it's fine history, an utter joke. Join my ‘get chambers out on Facebook campaign' (lol) cause I'm telling you he's the problem, WHY - because he's the bleeding Captain ffs, along with a few other senior heads and under forming youths who are nothing better than sh!te, and if you ain't grasp that by now then you never will.

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Northstandveteran added 19:51 - Apr 5 That could prove to be a useful point at the end of the season... For Rochdale.
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TimmyH added 20:03 - Apr 5 @londontractorboy57 - some real anger in your post there mate!...could it be that Cardiff got absolutely hammered today might be part of that?
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cornishnick added 20:04 - Apr 5 Dreadful. Really, really poor. I appreciate this isn't Cook's team, but he should be able to get more of a tune out of them.
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suffolkblueeye added 20:47 - Apr 5 Don't understand why cook isn't trying anything different, perhaps he is but the players are so crap we can't see the difference....doz is s*it
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dirtydingusmagee added 20:51 - Apr 5 i wouldnt mind if Cook kicked these players into touch [ or a hell of a lot further] for rest of season and played youngsters that have done well as a reward for their efforts . These first team players really dont deserve to get a game ,they are pathetic and that is being kind . SERIOUSLY playoffs are never going to get us up ,it would just be further embarrassment, a team of one legged ,blind chimps would beat this lot.

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suffolkblueeye added 20:53 - Apr 5 /londontractorboy57/ what is a melt ? Team is rubbish, wake up gezzer
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dirtydingusmagee added 22:21 - Apr 5 each week you think they cant get any worse and each week they surprise you . Pathetic the worst ever .Evans was there today ,but i doubt he watched ,if he did force himself, i hope he can see to the depths he has taken the club .
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Michael101 added 23:28 - Apr 5 I blame mad Mick ,that idiot sent them out with the keep a point mind set,old habits die hard.
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shakytown added 01:21 - Apr 6 Not a single one of these players should be at the club next season. They are not good enough and do not give a rats a..e about the club or the fans. Cook must be wishing he said no as the job is almost impossible unless there is a takeover and a huge financial commitment from the new owners. As for our much vaunted academy i would shut the bloody thing down and use the money for better things as the players they produce are wishy washy little prima donnas.

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Oldozblue added 03:24 - Apr 6 Two points - 1. How many current Ipswich players would command any sort of transfer fee - millionK plus - Downes? Around 300 to 500k Norwood, Jackson, Nsiala, Wolfy ? I now think on performance Dozzell, Edwards would not raise anything of significance. The rest - frees, even though they might be OK League One defenders like Wilson and Chambers but they are old. . Compare that to couple of years ago under Mick when Bart, Waghorn, Clarke, Moore, Mings could command something significant. Shows what Evans and O'Neill have achieved. 2. Were the Cowley's a better bet - results seem to say so. Also have a look at some of the Pompey Club videos of them discussing tactics and training.

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bobble added 07:42 - Apr 6 we will be in the 4th after next season.....
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BettyBlue added 08:05 - Apr 6 Rubbish league, but only a few teams as rubbish as ITFC. Paul Cook, the new Lambert, Jewell.......
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Barty added 08:19 - Apr 6 Playing the bottom team who have the worst defensive record in the division and we cant even muster one single shot on target - not much more to say is there ? [ other than disgraceful ]
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Billybobblue added 08:32 - Apr 6 I still cannot believe people are paying £10 each match to watch this sh*t! If you want change and Evans to leave the club then stop funding ifollow etc. Change will happen if the fans decide to and thats by not putting money into the club. For those thinking of renewing their season tickets, dont bother and just think, poor sales will lead to Evans wanting to sell the club as thats more money he has to put in. we've been promised loads over the years and Evans has delivered nothing but the "i'm keeping the club afloat" at the end of the day Evans should be doing this because he is the one that has racked up the debt higher and higher since he took over due to his poor leadership. Stop funding the club - see change - save ITFC.

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Cakeman added 08:52 - Apr 6 I observe with concern a growing rise in criticism aimed at Paul Cook. He has already said he will try anything and give any formation a go to try and improve results which to his credit he has done. It's only fair that he is given a chance to build his own team before any possible criticism is levelled. Us supporters know the players we have are not good enough and Paul Cook will know this too. He must be given a fair chance to rebuild just as other managers before him were. If the current criticism escalates we are likely to have another unpleasant situation arising which we could do well without. Let's just get this awful season behind us and start afresh and back our new manager.

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grinch added 09:06 - Apr 6 Too much anti Chambers etc the younger players such as wolfenden dozzel Bishop are the concern the forwards will never score with no service our whole midfield are the problem Chambers as better than Woolfeden today and Toto gets so tight to a player that he is turned so easily but is so strong in the air was lucky or the offside today as that would have been another penalty against him mguiness is better than wolfenden and should play but it is that midfield which is lightweight and lacking seriously anything going forward Dozzel made 1 pass forward today and Judge looks busy but again nothing of anything worthwhile. I think that Hirst summoned up this squad in his time here when he said they are very average but no one listened Lambert got something more out of them but they are what they are an average League 1 outfit of players no one will get anything else from them when they think they are better than they are take sears he thinks he is too good for this league and some of the youngsters prance around like they are above the opposition but they are not clear them out and get players who want to play for what was a great club but are now a championship club at best

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ChrisFelix added 09:26 - Apr 6 Paul Lambert bought in too many loan players & its simply quantity over quality. I realise that key players have been injured but our youth players could have easily fitted in. Mention of loan players why wasn't Garbut snapped up
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Razor added 10:37 - Apr 6 Poor old Alex Mathie yesterday on commentary, thought he was having a nervous breakdown at one stage as he could not believe what he was was watching. Hawkins must start Saturday and Bennetts and Downes if fit-----where are Hews and Wilson? One job for the cheeky chappy to look at amongst many is Dr Bob and the medical team---is it working?
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shakytown added 11:12 - Apr 6 chrisfelix. The simple anwser is that our youth are just not good enough. How many go on loan to league 2 and non league clubs only to come back because they cannot get game time???? big gap between kiddy footy and mans footy and our kids are physically and mentally weak. just look at Dozzel and bishop they were going to take league 1 apart according to some people on here but would struggle to make many other teams.

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grumpyoldman added 11:20 - Apr 6 Suffolkblueeye totally agree too many supporters watch our players through rose tinted glasses! They use the expression “he's one of our own” as a get out of jail free card. How many of them have been chased by other clubs for a large fee? Paul Hirst paid over the top for quite a few of those still here, before Jackson, Edwards and others arrived some were waxing lyrical about them. Some go on about our great skipper, but the absence of supporters has shown how quiet he is, could any of you imagine Mills or Butcher not encouraging their teammates We all needed a reality check on our players and it should be obvious that a lot of our players just go through the motions not really caring like we do about the club. Butcher, Dyer, Mathie and other ex-players are probably disgusted at the present player's attitude. PC & Evans, if he stays, have a lot of decisions to make to move this club to a better place to watch football.

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BettyBlue added 11:39 - Apr 6 Why are we still changing 4 or 5 players every game and playing multi formations? When we had a settled team for 3 games we actually made some progress.
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:10 - Apr 6 sorry Grinch, Chambers offers nothing now, he isnt the captain he once was by miles..He has no place on the grass now and is one of the players that need to go, ,loyalty is fine, but it dosnt win anything, If those that feel his loyalty deserves a pl;ace at ITFC thats fine but not as a player now.imo
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