Ben saves the best for last to nick point
BOLTON keeper Ben Alnwick produced a superb save of the season contender to keep Ipswich waiting for their first win.
The Trotters battled bravely for their point after having defender Marc Wilson red-carded 11 minutes before half-time.
Boss Phil Parkinson rightly hailed skipper Alnwick’s fabulous flying stop to keep out Luke Chambers’ late header.
He 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 we were down to 10 men.
“If you add all these things together it’s a performance of real character by us.”
Wilson was dismissed when he appeared to tug back striker Kayden Jackson as he raced towards goal.
Ipswich are off the bottom of the table and remain unbeaten at home thanks to their fifth straight draw.
Boss Paul 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 a lack of quality balls into their box.”
The new-look Tractor Boys – now nine league games without a win – are suffering from a crisis of confidence.
Their only effort on target, apart from Chambers’ 86th-minute header, was a first-half Gwion Edwards free-kick straight at Alnwick.
When Wilson walked Parkinson made his intentions clear by replacing playmaker Erhun Oztumer with defender David Wheater.
And defensive partner Jack Hobbs was the Trotters’ other outstanding performer.
Wheater might even have earned an unlikely win seven minutes from the end.
His shot was heading in until Chambers blocked to preserve Ipswich’s first clean sheet of the season.