Ipswich Town 0-0 Bristol City
Adam Baker reports from Portman Road

Dean Gerken produced a man-of-the-match display for City as they earned another valuable point in a goalless draw with Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

The goalkeeper produced a string of fine saves in a match that saw both sides hit the woodwork; Iwelumo heading against the crossbar and Jack Colback shooting against the post.

Ipswich did find the net in stoppage time but Connor Wickham's throw-in went directly into the net and the goal was ruled out.

After a bright start for the visitors, Ipswich came into the match with chances for David Norris - fired wide of goal - and David Healy, whose driven shot was pushed clear by Dean Gerken.

Bradley Orr did well to cover for Lewin Nyatanga when Daryl Murphy brushed aside the defender and launched an attack on goal. Orr performed a superb block challenge just as Murphy looked to be clear on Gerken's goal.

Nyatanga was a threat at the other end on 34 minutes as he was picked out by Paul Hartley's corner and headed narrowly wide of the post.

City's Paul Hartley gets on the ball ahead of David Healy

Moments later Gerken threatened to handle outside his penalty area when closing down Healy's run. Referee Nigel Miller and his nearside assistant both agreed their was no infringement by the City keeper, much to annoyance of the majority inside Portman Road.

Gerken then compounded matters for Ipswich by pulling off a super double save to deny Grant Leadbitter and Murphy from close range.

City's best chance of the half arrived two minutes before the interval when Liam Fontaine's cross found Chris Iwelumo unmarked and onside inside the area. Iwelumo headed the ball goalwards but could only look on in anguish as the ball bounced back off the crossbar and away to safety.

Ipswich began the second period strongly with Murphy flicking former City trainee Liam Rosenior's cross over the top from close range.

Then Orr slipped inside his own penalty area to allow Walters a free run at goal, only for Gerken to save his blushes with a smart one-handed save.

Chris Iwelumo is denied by the woodwork at Portman Road

After ruing the woodwork in the first half, City were thankful when Ipswich were denied by the frame ten minutes after the restart. Norris' pass put Colback away and his stabbed shot hit the inside of the post before bouncing back into the waiting arms of Gerken.

The City keeper dived to his left to cling on to a guided Healy header as Ipswich's second-half charge continued. Moments later Murphy provided an even better save to push away a venomous volley by David Clarkson.

Healy missed a superb chance on the hour when put clear by Norris, only for Gerken to come to City's rescue once more.

Gavin Williams and Jamal Campbell-Ryce replaced Johnson and Hartley before another hosts of stunning Gerken saves.

Keeper Dean Gerken produced a man of the match display

The former Colchester custodian denied Gareth McAuley's diving header, then pushed clear a 25-yard Jon Walters' shot. With 15 minutes to go he pounced on the ball after substitute Connor Wickham had charged down Orr's clearance.

McAuley headed over with seven minutes to go, and then inside four minutes of stoppage time City survived a major scare.

A long throw-in from Wickham was missed by Gerken's attempted punch and bounced into the goal. Celebrations died down very quickly as referee Miller ordered a goal-kick and disallowed the goal as no-one else had touched the throw.