Big Ben saves at right time

BOLTON keeper Ben Alnwick produced a Save of the Season contender to keep Ipswich waiting for their first win.

The Trotters battled bravely for their point after defender Marc Wilson was red-carded 11 minutes before half-time.

Boss Phil Parkinson rightly hailed skipper Alnwick’s flying stop to keep out Luke Chambers’ late header.

Parkinson said: “Ben’s magnificent save was the standout moment in the game.

“It was one of those moments where it seemed both sets of supporters spontaneously applauded.

“I’m very pleased with the point, but I thought the sending-off was harsh.

“I thought that at the time and I’ve seen it back again. There was minimal, if any, contact.

“We had one day’s less rest, a long trip down here and were down to 10 men.

“If you add all these things together, it’s a performance of real character.”

Wilson was dismissed when he appeared to tug back striker Kayden Jackson as he raced to goal.

Ipswich are off the bottom and remain unbeaten at home, thanks to their fifth successive draw this season.

But manager Paul Hurst knows these are two very minor crumbs of comfort as he fights to save his job.

Hurst said: “Our keeper didn’t make a single save, but we didn’t work their keeper enough to get the win.

“There was lots of probing and pressing, but there was a lack of quality balls into their box.”

The new-look Tractor Boys – now nine league games without a win – are clearly suffering a crisis of confidence.

Their only effort on target, apart from Chambers’ 86th-minute header, was a first-half Gwion Edwards free-kick that flew straight at Alnwick.

When Wilson headed for the dressing room, Parkinson made his intentions known by replacing playmaker Erhun Oztumer with defender David Wheater.