Stoke passed up the chance to move back into the Coca-Cola Championship play-off places with a goalless draw with Ipswich at the Britannia Stadium.

Two points behind the three sides above them in the table before kick-off, the Potters struggled to impose themselves on a forgettable opening period.

The second half started much better, with both sides creating chances but Mamady Sidibe wasted the best opening in the 75th minute.

The Tractor Boys were also thankful for two goal-line clearances by Spanish defender Luis Castro Sito from Danny Higginbotham headers.

Without top-scorer Alan Lee due to a hamstring injury, Ipswich created few chances despite a classy display from winger Gary Roberts.

Signed on loan again from Aston Villa until the end of the season but too late to feature, Lee Hendrie was presented before kick-off but it was Ipswich's new boy who came close to making a big early impression.

Striker Jon Walters joined from League Two Chester last week but missed the chance to make the perfect start to his debut when he made insufficient contact with Roberts' cross and goalkeeper Steve Simonsen scrambled the ball off the line.

Roberts shot wildly over shortly after, before David Wright did well to block Ricardo Fuller at the other end.

Fuller volleyed just high and wide after lobbing the ball over Fabian Wilnis with 21 minutes gone before Higginbotham fired off target from a free-kick just outside the box.

Neither side was showing signs of fashioning a decent chance and Darel Russell's hopeful drive from 25 yards, which flew wide of goal, was another example of the growing frustration inside the Britannia.

On-loan Manchester United winger Lee Martin made a much more productive start to the second period for the Potters and whipped in a cross for Sidibe to head goalwards, only to be blocked by Sito.

The hosts were making all the running and, from Lawrence, goalkeeper Lewis Price failed to punch clear but the ball bounced off Sidibe's head and fell wide.

Ipswich were also showing more ambition, with Roberts' threat increasing after he switched flanks to the right.

In the 62nd minute, Roberts again found space and his driven cross was glanced towards the far corner by Walters, only for Simonsen to pull off a fine stop.

With 14 minutes left, Sidibe passed up the best chance of the game.

Russell pushed Martin into space wide on the left and the youngster's accurate first-time cross picked out the advancing Sidibe, only for the striker to slice over from around eight yards.

From consecutive corners, Higginbotham saw headers cleared off the line by Sito.

And, in spite of a flurry of late pressure from Stoke, the game ended scoreless.

Teams:

Stoke Simonsen, Hoefkens, Duberry, Higginbotham, Griffin,Lawrence, Diao, Russell, Martin (Rooney 85), Fuller, Sidibe.

Subs Not Used: Eustace, Pericard, Wilkinson, Hill.

Ipswich Price, Sito, Wilnis, Wright, Harding,Williams (O'Callaghan 68), Peters (Haynes 90), Legwinski,Roberts, Garvan, Walters.

Subs Not Used: Supple, Casement, Clarke.

Booked: Garvan, O'Callaghan.

Att: 11,812

Ref: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).