Ipswich 1 Coventry 1

Last updated : 25 August 2003 By Mad Reporter

Ipswich and Coventry City are still searching for their first league win of the season after an entertaining 1-1 draw at Portman Road.

Markus Bent fired Ipswich ahead after 17 minutes, but Coventry earned a deserved point with Michael Doyle's first career goal 15 minutes later.

Coventry began well with Patrick Suffo heading an early chance wide before George Santos fired wide for Town.

Town went ahead after 17 minutes when Bent slotted into the corner from a Darren Bent layoff.

Moments later Coventry appealed for a penalty when Suffo went down under challenge from home keeper Kelvin Davis, but referee Frazier Stretton ruled that Davis got the ball.

Pablo Counago sent an angled shot wide and then wasted a great chance on 31 minutes lobbing wide after Marcus Bent's flick on put him clean through.

Town were made to pay a minute later when Suffo's deflected shot fell to Doyle, who stepped inside Fabian Wilnis before curling a low shot into the corner.

Coventry dominated the rest of the half, Davis being forced into one superb tip over to deny Doyle, while more routine saves foiled Gary McAllister and Steve Staunton.

Ipswich had the first chance of the second half, Darren Bent's low cross was just too strong for Marcus Bent and half-time sub Ian Westlake to convert.

Scott Shearer saved well from Darren Bent, Marcus Bent headed a Wilnis cross wide, while at the other end Davis back peddled to tip over a Suffo curler.

Richard Naylor denied Graham Barrett a goal for Coventry with a goal line clearance after Davis had raced out to head clear from Suffo.

Ipswich had the better of things towards the end but Coventry did not deserve to lose, although they were nearly beaten in the last minute when Westlake could only weakly side foot Marcus Bent's cross straight at Shearer.