Stoke maintained their superb recent away record as they battled it out to secure a share of the spoils at Portman Road.

Danny Haynes had fired Ipswich in front but Ricardo Fuller deservedly hauled Stoke level before half-time in the Coca-Cola Championship match at Portman Road.

The visitors had the first effort on goal after just four minutes when Liam Lawrence's cross found Fuller, whose well-struck shot was saved by Neil Alexander.

But it was play-off rivals Ipswich who went close to taking the lead three minutes later when a cross from Haynes almost caught out Steve Simonsen, although fortunately for the Stoke goalkeeper he just managed to tip the ball over.

Both sides continued to push for an early breakthrough, and Stoke spurned an opportunity after 12 minutes when Danny Pugh volleyed over when well placed after a cross from Rory Delap.

Ipswich then had Alexander to thank for keeping them on level terms after 15 minutes.

Lawrence let fly with a 25-yard pile-driver but Alexander just managed to deflect the ball wide of the post.

But just as the visitors appeared to be getting the upper hand, Ipswich struck to take a 19th-minute lead through Haynes, who drilled the ball home from 18 yards.

To make matters worse for Stoke they were forced to make a change through injury with Gabriel Zakuani coming on for Andy Wilkinson.

As the game continued to switch from end to end Simonsen was quickly back in the thick of the action as he parried a well-struck effort from Haynes.

But Stoke were back on level terms when Fuller fired home after being put in by Pugh just after the half-hour mark.

The second half began in far more cautious fashion with a series of free-kicks disrupting the flow of the game.

Ipswich's Alan Lee had the first real chance of the second half but he sent his 55th-minute shot sailing over the crossbar.

The visitors' John Eustace then tried his luck from all of 30 yards but was unable to get his shot on target just before the hour mark.

Both sides seemed content to shoot from distance with Ipswich's David Wright the next to try his luck, but he also failed to trouble the goalkeeper.

Stoke were enjoying more possession but chances remained at a premium.

But it was Ipswich who went desperately close to regaining the lead after 71 minutes. Haynes fired in a free-kick which Simonsen athletically tipped over the bar.

That, however, proved to be the final chance to settle it as Stoke held on for a deserved share of the spoils.

Teams:

Ipswich Alexander, Sito, Bruce, De Vos, Wright, Haynes,Miller (Legwinski 80), Garvan, Walters, Lee,Counago (Clarke 86).

Subs Not Used: Supple, Wilnis, Peters.

Booked: De Vos, Legwinski, Haynes.

Goals: Haynes 19.

Stoke Simonsen, Wilkinson (Zakuani 19), Shawcross, Cort,Dickinson (Parkin 65), Lawrence, Eustace, Pugh, Delap, Fuller,Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Hoult, Pericard, Pulis.

Booked: Fuller, Cresswell.

Goals: Fuller 33.

Att: 20,346

Ref: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).