Town are down to third in League One after a frustrating 1-1 draw with 10-man Lincoln City at Sincil Bank in their opening fixture of 2023. The Imps were reduced to 10 men just before the break when Adam Jackson felled Kayden Jackson with the striker through on goal, but in the second half the home side took the lead in the 64th minute from a controversial penalty converted by Jack Diamond, before sub Cameron Humphreys grabbed Town’s leveller on 81.

Leif Davis missed only his second league game of the season, manager Kieran McKenna having revealed that illness had continued to impact his squad in the run-up to the game and two players had been sent home from Saturday training and were taking antibiotics.

Davis appeared to be one of those sidelined with the left-back not in the squad and Greg Leigh starting his first league game since the 1-0 win at Burton in August when the summer signing from Leeds was an unused sub.

Sone Aluko and Jackson also came into the side for Conor Chaplin and Freddie Ladapo, who were both on the bench, with the team otherwise unchanged from the side which drew 2-2 at Portsmouth on Thursday.

Centre-half George Edmundson was absent from the bench with Richard Keogh returning to the 18.

Lincoln, who are managed by former Town left-back and academy coach Mark Kennedy, made one enforced change from the team which drew 1-1 at home to Bolton on Friday with Adam Jackson replacing the Joe Walsh, who was sent off against the Trotters. Former Blues midfielder Teddy Bishop was on the bench.

The game began in the anticipated pattern with the Blues dominating possession but with the Imps putting up stern defensive resistance.

On nine, Aluko worked an opening on the right of the box for Wes Burns but with the Welshman having strayed offside.

Three minutes later, Lincoln threatened for the first time out of nothing, skipper Regan Poole feeding Ben House on the right of the area from where the former Eastleigh striker short across the face and wide.

Lincoln kept Town pinned in their half briefly with a couple of long throws hurled into the area, before the Blues broke in the 18th minute, skipper Sam Morsy sending Jackson away on the left but the striker’s cross was cut out.

From the corner, the Blues should have gone in front. Lee Evans was found unmarked on the edge of the box but struck his shot the wrong side of home keeper Carl Rushworth’s right post. Moments later Evans was booked for a foul on Lasse Sørensen on halfway.

On 24, Burns was played in on the right of the area by Janoi Donacien and cut across to Harness, who played it back to Aluko, whose strike was deflected for a corner. From the flag-kick taken by the former Nigerian international Leigh headed over.

Town continued to prod and probe looking for openings and in the 34th minute Aluko, who was at the heart of everything, nutmegged Sean Roughan on the right of the area before Rushworth caught his cross at full stretch.

The Blues were by now completely dominant and should have gone in front in the 38th minute from a corner on the left.

Aluko saw an effort from the edge of the box blocked, the rebound fell to Harness, whose shot was similarly stopped, then Woolfenden crashed against the bar, before the Town fans behind the goal claimed a penalty as Evans sought to nod the ball back into the box. However, referee Declan Bourne wasn’t interested.

Bourne was similarly unmoved in the 41st minute when House burst beyond Donacien and into the area and went to ground as the two tangled and Christian Walton came quickly off his line to claim. Lincoln’s players and fans were adamant they should have been awarded a penalty and they may well have had a case.

A minute later, Aluko played in Burns on the right and the Welshman crossed low to Harness, who hit the net but with the linesman’s flag raised.

In the final scheduled minute of the half, the Imps were reduced to 10 men in not uncontroversial circumstances. A Morsy pass deflected into the path of Jackson, who found himself breaking in on goal on the edge of the box from where he was felled by namesake Lincoln defender Adam Jackson.

Referee Bourne took his time before issuing a straight red card, deeming the chance an obvious goalscoring opportunity, much to the anger of the Lincoln players, who felt there were Imps defenders in position to get across to cover. Again, they might well have had an argument.

The free-kick was knocked short to Evans, whose effort was tipped over by Rushworth.

Before the break, there was further bad news for the home side as Matty Virtue pulled up with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Max Sanders.

Referee Bourne was booed off at the break with fans angry about the red card, which might have looked harsh, although Jackson was in with a very good shout of a clear shot at goal ahead of the covering defenders.

Overall, Town had been in control and had created one or two decent openings from which they really ought to have claimed the lead. Facing 10 men in the second half, they will have fancied themselves to work more openings and take some of those opportunities.

Both sides made changes ahead of the second half, Kane Vincent-Young taking over from Donacien for the Blues and club captain Tom Hopper replacing Danny Mandroui for the Imps.

Two minutes after the restart, a cross from the left bounced off Jackson through to Rushworth with the striker unable to get any power on his effort.

On 50 Morsy hit a shot from just outside the area wide, then three minutes later, Jackson’s low cross from the right was bundled behind by Rushworth.

But the Blues were struggling to work chances and just after the hour, Town’s afternoon got even worse when Lincoln went ahead from the penalty spot.

Lincoln centre-half Paudie O'Connor ended up on the ground as a corner came over from the right and referee Bourne pointed straight to the spot with Town furious about the decision.

But the referee was unmoved and Diamond sent Walton to his right and the ball to his left to give the 10-man Imps the lead.

Even before the penalty, the Blues had been looking to make a change and as they lined up to restart Ladapo, Chaplin and Kyle Edwards replaced Jackson, Harness and Aluko.

The subs immediately got in the game, Edwards sending over a cross from the right which Rushworth claimed, then on 68 Chaplin struck an effort from the edge of the box which the keeper appeared to tip over, although a goal-kick was given. Rushworth was subsequently booked for taking too long over the restart.

As the game moved into its final 20 minutes, the Blues had another great chance to score. Edwards crossed from the left, Burns nodded it down above his man at the far post and Ladapo seemed certain to score but headed tamely straight at Rushworth.

Chaplin scuffed a shot wide of a defender’s heels in the 74th minute and from the corner the former Barnsley man looped a header well over. Town made their final change ahead of the restart with Cameron Humphreys taking over from Burns with Edwards moving to the wide right role.

Town had been continuing to push for a leveller, even if not entirely convincingly, but in the 81st minute the goal finally came.

Chaplin floated a ball into the middle from the left, just outside the area and sub Humphreys got between two defenders to dive and flick a header across Rushworth and into the corner of the net, the youngster’s second senior goal.

The Blues set about looking for a second and on 83 Ladapo was played in but was flagged offside as his effort in any case bobbled wide of the post. Lincoln swapped goalscorer Diamond for Jamie Robson.

Town kept pressing and looking for openings. In the final scheduled minute, Morsy looked the ball into the area following a corner and Ladapo was beaten to it by two Lincoln defenders who collided and subsequently needed treatment with the Imps surprisingly awarded a goal-kick.

The announcement of nine additional minutes was booed by home supporters but wasn’t entirely a surprise after a stop-start half.

Morsy shot low through to Rushworth from the edge of the box but the Blues found it hard to work openings against Lincoln’s resilient 10 men. As Town became frustrated, Evans blazed well over from distance.

A minute later, Rushworth flapped very unconvincingly from a cross from the left but the ball failed to fall for a Town player and moments later referee Bourne’s whistle ended a frustrating start to 2023 for Town supporters.

The Blues had enough chances to have gone in ahead at the break but again were unable to take them and eventually were made to pay when Lincoln were given their penalty.

Town showed their customary spirit by keeping going and finding the equaliser from Humphreys but other opportunities were squandered and for the share of the possession the Blues created very few clear-cut chances with Lincoln, who have now drawn 10 of their 12 home league fixtures, frustrating them again as they did in their 1-0 win at Portman Road earlier in the season.

Sheffield Wednesday’s 5-0 home win against Cambridge sees the Blues drop to third now two points behind the Owls and six off leaders Plymouth, Town’s next visitors in the League a week on Saturday.

Lincoln: Rushworth, Poole (c), Jackson, O'Connor, House, Mandroiu (Hopper 46), Sorensen, Eyoma, Roughan, Virtue (Sanders 45), Diamond (Robson 83). Unused: Wright, Vernam, Bishop, Garrick.

Town: Walton, Donacien (Vincent-Young 46), Woolfenden, Burgess, Burns (Humphreys 75), Evans, Morsy (c), Leigh, Aluko (Edwards 65), Harness (Chaplin 65), Jackson (Ladapo 65). Unused: Hladky, Keogh. Referee: Declan Bourne (Nottinghamshire). Att: 10,115 (Town: 2,039).

Photo: Matchday Images

Bazza8564 added 17:53 - Jan 2 So i get that everybody is frustrated, and deservedly so. I also tough t the ref made a bad call with the red card that probably spoiled the game because we were far more effective against 11 than 10. What did we learn? Well we know Jackson isnt a 9 and Ladapo is probably a bench player so either Adhame is ill or off somewhere. Aluko was superb, Harness isnt fit enough yet after his layoff and Chaplin was Excellent. I though Walton looked far more assertive too. Edwards flatters to deceive, KVY is OK in a four but not really as a wing back. So we have some weak spots, and we presumably have a war chest to go and spend. I think one in MF to bolster the three fits ones (who arefine) is a must. We have to buy a striker because we have several 9s who dont cut it. We need another 10 because JJ is out and Harness isnt fit enough so we need 4 of those. So I learned nothing today that i didnt know already. Thankfully we have almost 2 weeks before the next league game and we need to get this squad strengthened and soon. We struggled for depth with injuries and now with fitness illness and form. We need to reinforce the whole spine, if we can afford 4 go get a CF, a 10, a MF and a CH. If we have to sacrifice numbers then Jackson, Edwards, Adhame (??) Hladky. Weve got ourselves a great position, gutted as we are we have a great chance still, lets see if the investors now have the absolute ruthlessness to get us over that line

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blueboy1981 added 17:53 - Jan 2 People who keep blaming Jackson only, are way off the mark - we all know his limitations as a Striker ten fold, but he is a handful for any defence and has much pace which causes problems - there's failure around him, it's not just him. I will be marked down for such, but am questioning Team selection from the off today !! Time for McKenna to show he can resolve game after game repetitive failings that should also be obvious to Ashton & Co. We should go for the jugular from the start - if we have belief in being good enough - if not do what is necessary to at last be good enough. If not - you all know we will be in familiar territory once again come August 23 !!

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Nomore4 added 17:53 - Jan 2 Col U will take anyone….but
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atty added 17:53 - Jan 2 Same old, same old. 78% possession advantage, 21 shots, 8 on target. Defensive errors. How many decent chances do we fail to convert. OK illness in the camp, but playing against 10 men for a big part of the game. Very dissapointing. Can't see us getting a goal machine in League One, but a couple of decent additions defo needed, up front and CM - we only have two fit senior pros in those positions.

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HUTCHITFC added 18:00 - Jan 2 I rarely comment as prefer to sit back and read what everyone else has to say and take time to reflect on my beloved Ipswich in private. However, I cannot just sit here and read so much bolloxks any longer. I started supporting Ipswich in 1990 so I'm not some teenager whose not seen the rollercoaster of a ride that being an Ipswich fan comes with. We are now playing some of the best football I have seen us play for a long long time. Yes it is incredibly frustrating not to pick up points when our possession and shots on target warrant it but we are still 3rd. Please for heaven's sake just try and get behind the team. I am now seeing an atmosphere at games like I did under Burley and I believe these are our genuine fans who are not on here criticising every 5 minutes. There is clearly some illness going around our squad yet we have in my opinion showed our class against the last 2 teams we have played. Granted we have not put the ball in the back of the net but we have outplayed our opponents. The greats of Barcelona, Man City sometimes struggle breaking down teams so please just for one minute think about where we are now, what type of football we play and who is leading us before we start moaning.

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blues1 added 18:00 - Jan 2 To those criticising the team selection today. Has everyone forgotten that we have illness in the camp? That the players dropped onto the bench, may have been those suffering the most, so couldn't do 3 starts in the week? Trust me, if they have the virus I've had for 4 weeks now, im surprised any of them are playing at all. A frustrating result for sure, but not always easy against 10 men. And against a team unbeaten at home. And before anyone quotes Bolton today, the situation of their game was totally different. Againstx10 men from the 11th minute and 1-0 from the resultant penalty. Certainly easier when 1 up. Good thing now is, that wexhave 2zweeks before next lge match to get players recovered from that, and hopefully 1 or 2 new faces into thd building.

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Nomore4 added 18:02 - Jan 2 How is it possible to have 78% possession, which appears our average. 21 attempts at goal, which appears our average. And not batter teams even occasionally.
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BlueRuin69 added 18:05 - Jan 2 3-0 vs Oxford was a battering so that's a false statement. That penalty was an abysmal decision without that we win. Shocking ref decision when are they ever given at any level of football.
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therein61 added 18:06 - Jan 2 It's certainly time for K.M to have a long hard look at things other sides know what we are going to do now(Shake up needed!!) and are quite happy to watch us play until we get in dangerous areas but we seem to be running out of ideas at the business end of the pitch a bit of apathy sets in at times for me and it needs sorting out big time before we slip any lower, so over to you K.M shake them up and get a couple in soon to add competition!!

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surgery added 18:06 - Jan 2 I don't get it with this Jackson thing about his running ability causing the opposition problems. I'm sure most of the 28,000 who go to PR would rather watch a no. 9 scoring goals or else they'd go to an athletics event and enjoy watching someone who can run faster than everyone else
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blueboy1981 added 18:10 - Jan 2 Nomore4 …. It proves it's Non-Productive - for us anyway ! And also proves how easily ‘sussed out' we have been, and continue to be.
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Nomore4 added 18:12 - Jan 2 Hutch, With respect I'm a season ticket holder who expects promotion this season. As the owners do, otherwise there great plan could go to the wire. We know previous years have been abysmal. And now it's vital we stay on track that leads to better times for all.
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Ipswichbusiness added 18:12 - Jan 2 The official half-time statistics read: Possession 73.6% Clear cut chances nil Goals nil Unless we can turn our possession into decent chances it really doesn't matter who the striker is.
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cat added 18:13 - Jan 2 Two horrid away trips out of the way and we came away unbeaten. Improve our home form and we should be there or thereabouts. To early for a meltdown as disappointing as todays result is.
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prebbs007 added 18:14 - Jan 2 Disgusting result. 78% possession 21 shots against 10 men. Pretty clear what is required in the transfer window. We once again flatter to deceive. Possession doesn't guarantee points KMc !!!
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Nomore4 added 18:16 - Jan 2 Blueruin We haven't won a league game by more than 3. And Oxford could have been 2.0 up before we scored…..hardly a battering
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 18:17 - Jan 2 It's beyond me how Jackson is called a striker, a wet matchbox has more chance of being a striker. Seriously, there's a couple of real issues, our defence just isn't good enough, our pedestrian pace passing game and generally going backwards when it's easier to go forwards, really isn't helping matters!!!
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blueboy1981 added 18:18 - Jan 2 Blues1 ….. Have you forgotten that we are NOT the only Club / Team to suffer such problems as Injury / Illness. You do Trawl for every possible excuse, credit for that - but it wears thin. Hadn't you Noticed ??
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steve_holmes27 added 18:21 - Jan 2 It's been glaringly obvious since the end of August, by when we had already failed to beat either Barnsley or Bolton at home, that he would not get us a finish in the top two. He might speak well, play possession football and be a nice guy, but his results aren't good enough for a squad this able in this division. It's been fact for some time. Today from KM was a shocker. Picking Evans (who has played well before today having just returned from injury) instead of Humphreys when it was clear Evans was unsurprisingly knackered, is a dereliction of duty. Similarly, not playing Chaplin. You have no choice but to objectively question his judgement. I do hope Donacien was injured otherwise that change made no sense whatsoever! I'm sure he'll become a good manager. I'm sure one day he'll realise that having being a youth coach doesn't mean you can't select and nuture your own youth home grown talent now you are the manager. Until then we'll just have to hope that he gets lucky and we get a good striker in this window and Wednesday or Plymouth fall apart!

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cressi added 18:21 - Jan 2 Why do people keep on about Jacksons pace he hasn't got a clue how to use and as a centre forward he won't be as long as I have a ho*e up my a**e
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Nobbysnuts added 18:21 - Jan 2 Dog sh#te...just dog sh#te...Km...you cocked up big time today...just admit it for once...
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FarnboroBlue added 18:22 - Jan 2 Dear Phil, any chance you could split the site into two. One for the real ITFC fans, you know, the ones that think we have a divine right to get promotion and think football is played by numbers and a second for the more delusional, those that accept its not possible to win every game and understand that real world factors such as illness can weaken a squad, thanks in anticipation ...

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johnwarksshorts added 18:24 - Jan 2 That's 4 points dropped over Xmas period. We need a clinical finisher urgently, it's all very well having all the possession stats but if you can't turn that into goals it's hoping to be a difficult 2nd half of season. Jackson and Ladapo for all their endeavour haven't quite got what it takes to win league one. I trust in current management team to get required players in and return to some better form.

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johnwarksshorts added 18:25 - Jan 2 *Going
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SickParrot added 18:28 - Jan 2 What a surprise, another game we dominated but didn't win (even though we had a man advantage for 55 minutes). That's two more of those games in 4 days. It's definitely time to get the cheque book out. Our two games against Lincoln (15th in the league) show why we aren't good enough for the top two at present. Ipswich - over 75% possession, 54 shots, 1 goal scored and 1point. Lincoln - 5 shots, 2 goals scored and 4 points. If we are to achieve promotion this season we must be better in both boxes and have a plan B for the many teams in this league that are happy to let us have the ball, park the bus and hope for a set piece goal.

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