Ipswich Town 0-0 Queens Park Rangers: Tractor Boys lose ground with goalless draw

Ipswich Town failed to score in a home game for the first time this seasonIpswich Town lost further ground on Leicester City at the top of the Championship as they were held to a goalless draw by QPR at Portman Road.

The Londoners came closest to breaking the deadlock when Steve Cook headed against the post and Dom Ball had to hook the ball away off the line.

There was a lengthy delay before the second half could begin as a spectator received treatment following a medical emergency in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand.

Asmir Begovic produced a fine save to deny Marcus Harness a goal for Ipswich and sub Lyndon Dykes headed wide from six yards at the other end as the home side’s winless run extended to four matches.

The Tractor Boys will start 2024 second in the table, but eight points behind Leicester and only three ahead of third-placed Southampton, with QPR still 22nd, four points from safety.

Relive Friday’s Championship action Latest Championship tableWith the transfer window set to open next week, the strength of Ipswich’s squad was tested as boss Kieran McKenna made six changes to the side that started the 1-1 Boxing Day draw against Leicester.

Skipper Sam Morsy was suspended, Wes Burns missed out because of illness, influential wing-back Leif Davis and striker George Hirst were both injured and the situation was compounded by Nathan Broadhead dropping out just before kick-off.

Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes also opted to shake up his starting XI as they looked to end a run of three successive defeats and one of those promoted from the bench, Sinclair Armstrong, twice forced saves from home keeper Vaclav Hladky in the opening 20 minutes.

At the other end, Harness fed Freddie Ladapo, whose shot was kept out by the legs of Begovic, who later tipped over an Omari Hutchinson effort.

Cook, though, came closest to the opener and following the delayed re-start, both sides struggled to establish any dominance as the game gradually lost momentum.

Following a year marked by promotion from League One in May, Ipswich fell short of a 10th home Championship win before the end of the year as Ladapo headed wide from Cameron Humphreys’ cross and Begovic kept out Harness’ shot.

McKenna may now have to consider looking for reinforcements following an away game at Stoke City on New Year’s Day, when QPR will be at home to Cardiff City.

Line-upsIpswichFormation 4-2-3-1

31Hladky18WilliamsSubstituted forClarkeat 63’minutes6WoolfendenBooked at 52mins15Burgess30Humphreys12BallSubstituted forTaylorat 64’minutes25Luongo20HutchinsonSubstituted forAlukoat 88’minutes10ChaplinBooked at 35mins11HarnessBooked at 86minsSubstituted forBuaboat 87’minutes9LadapoSubstituted forJacksonat 63’minutesSubstitutes1Walton2Clarke4Edmundson14Taylor19Jackson23Aluko26Baggott40Tuanzebe51BuaboQPRFormation 4-2-3-1

1BegovicBooked at 83mins20Cannon5S CookSubstituted forDunneat 71’minutes6Clarke-Salter22Paal17Dozzell8Field19Dixon-BonnerSubstituted forDykesat 64’minutes7WillockSubstituted forSmythat 45’minutes10ChairSubstituted forLarkecheat 77’minutesBooked at 90mins30ArmstrongSubstituted forKolliat 78’minutesSubstitutes2Kakay3Dunne9Dykes11Smyth13Archer21Larkeche29Drewe37Adomah38KolliReferee:David Webb

Attendance:29,100

Match StatsLive TextMatch ends, Ipswich Town 0, Queens Park Rangers 0.

Second Half ends, Ipswich Town 0, Queens Park Rangers 0.

Attempt missed. Sone Aluko (Ipswich Town) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a set piece situation.

Gerard Buabo (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Jake Clarke-Salter (Queens Park Rangers).

Offside, Ipswich Town. Conor Chaplin is caught offside.

Foul by Cameron Humphreys (Ipswich Town).

Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Kayden Jackson (Ipswich Town).

Andre Dozzell (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Ziyad Larkeche (Queens Park Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Harry Clarke (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Ziyad Larkeche (Queens Park Rangers).

Substitution, Ipswich Town. Sone Aluko replaces Omari Hutchinson.

Substitution, Ipswich Town. Gerard Buabo replaces Marcus Harness.

Marcus Harness (Ipswich Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Foul by Marcus Harness (Ipswich Town).

Reggie Cannon (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Massimo Luongo (Ipswich Town).

Lyndon Dykes (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.