Town's play-off hopes took a knock as the Blues failed to break down a staunch Stoke City defence at Portman Road. Despite having the vast majority of the game, as so often in the past, an extensive visiting defence proved impassable.

Three of the four players requiring fitness tests made the starting line-up, Darren Ambrose missing out due to his knee injury. Jim Magilton was OK to take up his place in midfield while Fabian Wilnis continued at right wing-back and Marcus Bent returned to the strike-force after missing the last two games. Hermann Hreidarsson came in at left wing-back after completing his four-match ban.

The game started 12 minutes late while a section of supporters on the Britannia Stand side of the North Stand were moved into the Cobbold Stand due to damage to the North Stand roof, presumably caused by the wind, only detected as the game was about to kick off.

Once the match did get under way, substitutions played a big part in the first half, the first coming after only three minutes, Stoke striker Lee Mills being replaced by Andy Cooke.

Town started unconvincingly with the cut up pitch, swirling wind and rain not helping matters. Passes went astray and the game was a scrappy affair. Despite this the Blues ought to have gone ahead in the sixth minute when Jermaine Wright played in Hermann Hreidarsson on the left of the penalty area. Sadly for Town, the Icelander put the ball across the face of Mark Crossley's goal.

Four minutes later Crossley was in action again, Darren Bent charging down his hoof clear but the ball failed to fall for a Town player. Not long after Chris Makin's deflected shot fell to Jermaine Wright who played it to Darren Bent. His weak shot was saved with little trouble.

On 16 there were calls for a Town penalty from Blues' supporters as Crossley and Hreidarsson clashed inside the area, but referee Lee Mason was unimpressed.

Two minutes later a Town corner led to a goalmouth scramble which culminated in Darren Bent hitting a low shot wide of the post. Town were beginning to find their rhythm after their shaky start.

Hermann Hreidarsson appeared to be enjoying his return and on 21 he made one of his marauding runs up the field where he and a Stoke defender challenged solidly for the ball. It was clear from the way he was hammering his arm on the ground that the former Wimbledon man was in a great deal of pain and, after lengthy treatment on a serious-looking knee injury, he was taken away on a stretcher, Matt Richards taking his place.

Not long after loanee Frazer Richardson hit Stoke's first serious effort wide of Andy Marshall's goal.

In the 25th minute Tommy Miller became Town's second casualty, also due to a knee problem. Martijn Reuser coming on in his place.

The game was becoming very bitty with all the substitutions, but just before the half hour Jermaine Wright should have done better with his shot after good work from both Bents on the right. The midfielder's shot was well over Crossley's goal.

Darren Bent caused Crossley to push a cross on to his bar on 38 as Town continued to look for the vital first goal. A minute later a Reuser cross was headed down by Darren Bent for Marcus Bent who hit his shot well over the bar when he should at least have hit the target. While Crossley prepared to take his goal-kick his defenders argued amongst themselves, two almost coming to blows on the edge of the area, referee Lucas having words.

As the half ended sub Andy Cooke picked up a yellow card for a late tackle on Jim Magilton, only seconds after being spoken to for a foul on Chris Makin. In injury time Andy Marshall saved from Chris Greenacre.

The visitors had shown little positive endeavour but were proving difficult to break down. However, as the second half began they had perhaps their only lengthy spell where they had possession, but without creating any clear-cut chances.

The first action of the new half had seen Darren Bent clash with Crossley as they closed in a looping Magilton ball into the box. Bent had got a touch on it as the keeper came out but it would have been very surprising if the referee had deemed the subsequent collision a foul.

Nine minutes into the half, a Wilnis cross was headed back across goal to Marcus Bent by Darren Bent. Bent senior sent the ball back over Crossley from a tight angle but watched the ball squirm wide of the post.

A minute before the hour Joe Royle sent on Richard Naylor for Matt Richards, Naylor joining the attack as the Blues moved to a four-man backline.

On 62 Jermaine Wright came very close to putting the Blues ahead, his 25-yard shot beating Crossley but sailing just wide before hitting the stanchion and nestling behind the goal, fooling some sections of the crowd. A minute later Fabian Wilnis saw his shot deflect wide.

Town continued to press and in the 67th minute Thomas Gaardsøe's header was cleared by a defender stepping in ahead of his keeper. At the other end James O'Connor, who surprisingly avoided a booking after committing numerous fouls throughout the game, sent a shot wide.

With 17 minutes left Richard Naylor almost grabbed Town a goal, finishing a slick move involving Magilton and Wilnis with a well-struck shot which Crossley did well to tip over the bar.

Time was running out for the Blues but they remained encamped in the Stoke half. Magilton hit a shot from the edge of the area which was well saved by Crossley. A minute later the keeper was again in action to keep out a Marcus Bent header from a Reuser freekick.

On 85 Martijn Reuser was given the chance to take a trademark freekick after Thomas Gaardsøe was fouled on the left of the Town area, 25 yards out. The Dutchman caught his effort well but sent it just wide of the post

Reuser felt a defender impeded him a minute later, however the referee, hardly generous to Town with decisions all afternoon, saw nothing wrong.

The former Ajax man sent in a fine freekick as injury time beckoned, Crossley getting a fist to the ball with the Bents both behind him preparing to head in. Town's final chance of the game fell to Jim Magilton, however he struck his shot with no real power.

A disappointing result for the Blues which could have been very different had Mark Crossley, who only joined the Potters on loan on Friday, not been at the top of his game.

Town definitely had the chances to win it and would have deserved the victory despite not playing at their best. The wind and the difficult Portman Road surface didn't help, however Joe Royle will not be pleased with the way his strikers failed to take their opportunities, not for the first time since he came to the club.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls