Promotion-chasing Ipswich returned to second spot in Division 1 but had to
settle for a point as a fast and frantic East Anglian derby against Norwich
ended goalless at Carrow Road.
Town were seeking to extend a run of five successive victories in their quest
for an automatic promotion spot and almost grabbed the points in the final
moments.
It was the first time in 22 matches that the clash had ended all level - the
last stalemate was a goalless draw in Norwich in December 1983.
The visitors were only denied a dramatic victory by a stunning injury-time
save from Norwich keeper Robert Green.
The 19-year-old, making his senior debut in place of the suspended Andy
Marshall, flung himself superbly to his left to divert David Johnson's
goal-bound header one-handed over the bar.
Earlier, Green had been involved in an unfortunate 51st minute incident which
forced the Canaries to play most of the second half without their captain, Matt
Jackson.
Both men attempted to clear a long ball forward from Mark Venus and a
sickening clash of heads on the edge of the area left Jackson with blood gushing
from his face before he was carried away on a stretcher.
Yet until that dramatic finale, Green was only seriously tested by a skidding
effort by Johnson on the hour mark which he saved comfortably to his right.
A tense derby spilled over into a brief scuffle involving players from both
sides as Norwich striker Craig Bellamy earned a 64th minute yellow card for an
ugly-looking foul on Matt Holland.
City, too, might have snatched victory when 19-goal top-scorer Iwan Roberts
saw his header fly inches over the bar just seconds after his arrival as a 75th
minute substitute for on-loan Newcastle striker Paul Dalglish.
Norwich had started the game brightly enough, with Town keeper Richard Wright
blocking bravely from Bellamy after just three minutes, and after Norwegian full
back Erik Fuglestad had also come close, Phil Mulryne wasted the home side's
best opportunity after 33 minutes when he allowed himself to be robbed superbly
by Fabian Wilnis after a lucky deflection had put him clear on goal.
But Town dominated the closing stages of the first half as Holland planted a
37th minute header just wide before Johnson wasted a glorious opportunity two
minutes later when he turned unmarked to blaze the ball high over the bar from
just six yards out.
Meanwhile, Ipswich were done no favours on the 40-minute mark by referee Paul
Taylor, who blew his whistle to caution Jackson for a foul on Johnson - leaving
the visitors incensed as the ball rolled through to leave veteran midfielder
Mick Stockwell with a clear run on goal.
Teams
Norwich: Green, Sutch, Fuglestad, Mackay, Fleming,
Jackson (Marshall 54), Anselin, Bellamy, Carey, Mulryne,Dalglish (Roberts 75).
Subs Not Used: Hughes.
Booked: Jackson, Bellamy, Carey.
Ipswich: Wright, Wilnis, Tanner (Cundy 52), Clapham, Mowbray,
Venus, Stockwell, Holland, Johnson, Scowcroft, Magilton.
Subs Not Used: Naylor, Petta.
Att: 19,511
Ref: P Taylor (Cheshunt).
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