Joe Garner netted an equaliser in the 82nd minute as Town and Bolton drew 1-1 at the Macron Stadium, the first Blues league game to end in that scoreline for 34 matches. Earlier, Gary Madine had given the home side the lead on 53.

Cameron Carter-Vickers was handed his Blues debut having signed on loan from Tottenham yesterday.

The 20-year-old was making a debut at Bolton for the second time this season having made his Sheffield United bow at the Macron Stadium earlier in the season when he scored his only senior goal up to now.

Carter-Vickers started alongside skipper Luke Chambers at the centre of the defence with Jonas Knudsen moving to left-back and Myles Kenlock dropping to the bench.

Also among the subs was Stephen Gleeson, who joined Town from Birmingham City yesterday.

Bartosz Bialkowski returned in goal having missed last week’s 1-0 victory over Leeds with a calf problem, while Dean Gerken dropped out of the 18 having been hampered by a hip injury in recent weeks. Michael Crowe was again the sub keeper.

The Pole in the Town goal was forced into action within the first 20 seconds, Josh Vela battling his way into the area and stabbing towards goal, however, Bialkowski had come off his line quickly to block.

The game was held up for a couple of minutes moments later after Bolton’s Sammy Ameobi underwent treatment for a head injury after a clash with Callum Connolly before continuing.

The Blues, with David McGoldrick playing in the central role behind lone striker Garner with Martyn Waghorn on the right, had most of the ball in the minutes after play got back under way but without creating an opportunity.

In the 11th minute the home side went close again, Madine getting above Carter-Vickers to nod over at the far post from Mark Little’s right-wing cross. Seconds later, Will Buckley cut in from the left and shot over the bar.

Bolton had the ball in the net in the 15th minute, David Wheater lashing into the corner from just inside the box, but referee Peter Bankes had already halted play for a foul on Waghorn by Buckley as the cross had come into the box from the right.

Ameobi shot low to Bialkowski’s left from distance on 22 but failed to trouble the Blues keeper.

The game had developed into a scruffy affair with both teams giving the ball away needlessly far too often. On 25 Buckley again cut in from the left and hit an effort which looped off Carter-Vickers and into Bialkowski’s arms.

Two minutes later, a Town spell encamped in the Bolton half led to Bersant Celina crossing to the far post from the left and Cole Skuse knocking back across the six-yard area but with no Blues player on hand to add the final touch. Bolton gratefully cleared the danger.

The Blues were beginning to get on top - Celina was becoming more influential - with the Trotters increasingly unable to escape from their half.

Play did eventually return to the other end and on 33 Bialkowski punched away a freekick from the left but Waghorn conceded another freekick for a high boot on the edge of the box as he looked to clear. Madine hit the second set piece into the wall, then Derik Osede’s subsequent effort was deflected behind for a corner.

Two minutes later, Madine was shown the game’s first yellow card for a very late tackle on Skuse midway inside the Town half, well after the Blues’ midfielder had moved the ball on. The Bristolian underwent lengthy treatment before continuing.

Town almost claimed the lead in the 40th minute having forced back-to-back corners. Waghorn sent the ball over from the left and Chambers flicked towards goal, Bolton keeper Ben Alnwick pulling off an excellent sharp save to his right. Iorfa laid the loose ball back to Waghorn but the Blues’ 10-goal top scorer blazed over.

It was the closest Town had come to a goal and they were beginning to look a more dangerous prospect. Soon after, McGoldrick did well on the right and ought to have produced a better cross.

A minute before the break Madine headed well wide for the home side from Antonee Robinson’s cross from the left.

Neither side seriously threatened during three minutes of injury time and the 0-0 half-time scoreline was a fair reflection of a scrappy and not hugely entertaining first period.

Bolton had had the better chances, with Vela’s early-seconds effort the nearest the Trotters had come to a goal, while the Blues had seen most of the ball but had only forced the one save from Alnwick, his impressive reflex stop from Chambers. Waghorn will feel he should have done better with his subsequent strike.

New signing Gleeson was handed his Town debut in the middle of midfield at the start of the second half in place of Skuse, who has been struggling with an ankle injury for a number of weeks and clearly felt Madine’s challenge.

Five minutes after the restart, Garner was fouled by Dorian Dervite on the Town right and Waghorn sent over a freekick which McGoldrick flicked on only just over Connolly breaking into the area at the far post.

In the 52nd minute Waghorn broke away after good work from Gleeson and McGoldrick but overran the ball just as he was looking to shoot under pressure form Dervite and Alnwick claimed.

But a minute later Bolton took the lead. Robinson crossed from the left, Vela flicked on and Madine stabbed across Bialkowski and into the net at the far post.

McGoldrick wasted a chance to level immediately, shooting tamely to Alnwick from the left of the area having been found by Garner, then at the other end Osede’s far post header from a left-sided corner was blocked by Connolly.

But as the half moved past the hour mark the Trotters were looking more likely to add to their lead than the Blues were to equalise. On 67 sub Filipe Morais crossed from the left and Madine headed into the side-netting at the far post.

Four minutes later Garner volleyed high and wide after exchanging passes with Waghorn, then on 73 Iorfa was booked for a foul on Karl Henry.

Bialkowski saved a Madine freekick down to his left in the 75th minute, then two minutes later Morais was a couple of feet away from doubling his side’s lead with a low first-time strike from the edge of the box which arced just wide.

But with eight minutes remaining the Blues pulled level via their best move of the afternoon. Gleeson fed Celina, who played to his left to McGoldrick, who exchanged passes with Waghorn before cutting across to Garner, who turned in his ninth goal of the season over the line from close range.

Freddie Sears took over from Celina in the 85th minute, then a minute later Craig Noone replaced Ameobi for Wanderers.

Two minutes from time Garner and McGoldrick pressured a Bolton error on the Blues right, the Irish international breaking into the area on the right but hitting a defender with his cross.

Town continued to keep the Trotter pinned in their own half as the match moved into its final minute in which the Blues came within an inch or two of winning it.

Iorfa fed McGoldrick midway inside the Bolton half and he played it on to Waghorn, who brought it forward before smashing a brilliant strike which beat Alnwick but crashed off the angle of bar and post to his right before falling safely for the home side.

In injury time, seconds before the final whistle, Luke Hyam took over from Connolly in midfield.

In the end it was a well won point for the Blues with Bolton looking on their way to all three until Town’s goal, which came from easily their best football of the game.

Having gone in front Bolton had looked the more likely scorers of the game’s second goal with Madine, who gave Town’s central pairing a tough time all afternoon, and Morais both having come close to sealing the win before Town’s equaliser.

However, the Blues, with Gleeson making a big impression with a controlling and very tidy display from the bench in midfield, looked the more likely victors in the closing minutes and Waghorn was unlucky not to win it with his strike off the woodwork.

Town, who face leaders Wolves at Portman Road next week, remain 12th, now six points from the play-offs.

Bolton: Alnwick, Little, Dervite, Wheater, Robinson, Henry, Osede, Buckley (Morais 65), Vela, Ameobi (Noone 86), Madine (Wilbraham 90). Unused: Howard, Taylor, Le Fondre, Darby.

Town: Bialkowski, Iorfa, Carter-Vickers, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Skuse (Gleeson 46), Connolly (Hyam 90), McGoldrick, Waghorn, Celina (Sears 85), Garner. Unused: M Crowe, Drinan, Kenlock, C Smith. Referee: Peter Bankes (Liverpool). Att: 13,870 (Town: 645).

Photo: Pagepix

positivity added 18:02 - Jan 20 not sure what to think on this one, comments pretty negative, yet bbc say "Ipswich generally dominated". anyone without an axe to grind care to let us know what actually happened? how did ccv play,?sounds like gleeson did well, is he more attacking than skuse? should be beating bolton, but they won their last 2 at home to cardiff and hull, so not the worst result...

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blueboy1981 added 18:03 - Jan 20 ....... a point at BOLTON ? ......... and the 'happy clappers' are out in force. What chance to we have of ever improving from the state of flux we are in..... ???
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 18:09 - Jan 20 Nearly pinched all 3 points at the end against an improving Bolton, which would have been a great result. We are never going to be world beaters under MM due to his negativity. However, still only 6pts off play offs.
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MicksZzzTactics added 18:20 - Jan 20 Well that *sounded*, repeat *sounded*, like the absolute epitome of insomnia-curing 'DINO DROSSINESS' for the first 75+ minutes! Hmmmm that very scenario has an awful familiar smell to it to doesn't it now fellow Ipswich muppets? ...as in have we might have heard & watched that "ONE or TWICE" (cough! cough!) before -- especially against struggling opposition more or less there for the bloody TAKING! -- during these last 5 truly unforgettable, hyper adrenal-gland-overstimulating & beyond 'Gone-With-The-Hoof' breathtaking Dino-led seasons LOL :-) :-) PS: But don't worry now fellow Ipswich muppets, cause still not merrely the ever soooo proverbial "only x points form the playoffs" yeahhh LOL, but much more importantly imho: By very INSIPID courtesy of the always completely unbiased TWTD crew :-) :-) allegedly we in the very "Best of Hands"! as besides most of his proper blokish & always eagerly padding one another on-their-back Irish manager colleagues or ex. Irish team mates recurringly stating it, lately also the 400% utterly luv-crazed Ollie Potter and know the esteemed Maurico Poncahontas too says: The Dino, his archaic football & tactical guile ....is well ....just **PLAIN AWESOME** ....hence is must be true!!! Period, end of discussion. :-) :-)

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oldegold added 18:25 - Jan 20 By the way, where have all our vaunted youngsters gone ? We had 5 loanees out there today...and all our youngsters who are only used to play the cup matches as our manager can't be bothered with them, have all fallen by the wayside. If they can't get into a mediocre team like ours, then what chance do they have.
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Swn98 added 18:44 - Jan 20 Where were you last week when we WON Bluebore your a disgrace.
-8

bradforblues added 18:55 - Jan 20 Frustrating thing today was how many times we get caught 2v1 on the flanks and we allow teams to rain crosses in. Nobody within 10 yds of their player when he crossed it for the goal and also our throw ins are useless, we give the ball away so cheaply as we have no plan or strategy, it's mistyfying from a coaching point of view.
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Blue_Moses added 19:01 - Jan 20 SWN98, don't know who Bluebore is but we were poor last week too.
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pazzy added 19:04 - Jan 20 get behind the boys they must be pissed of reading the negative crap put on here we are 3 points ahead of the summers and their payments finish how will they cope wih a level playing field I am not a lover of mm we do need to set up to win games but when all are fit its a good squad
6

SpiritOfJohn added 19:08 - Jan 20 I wasn't at the game today. Can someone please comment on whether Carter-Vickers looks a better centre-half than Knudsen, as I was impressed by the Dane last week.
2

runaround added 19:22 - Jan 20 This was a real chance to gain 3 points yet we sit back and only really go for it once we've equalised with the first quality move we produced. Once again seems to be no plan B any unforced substitutes are like for like doesn't want to try anything different. Taking out the anomaly of us always winning at Derby our away form over last 3 months is very poor showing the tactics are not working. Results wise Mick has done very well in his 5 and a bit years here but change is needed as the current state of limbo is causing more & more fans to lose interest and heart.

1

blueboy1981 added 19:23 - Jan 20 Swn98 ...... on holiday for your information. Do one yourself away from TWTD.
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blueboy1981 added 19:30 - Jan 20 Swn98 ......... ever going to be able to put a constructive post together ? - probably as much chance of that as your messiah changing his ways.
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warktheline added 19:33 - Jan 20 Mediocracy; a dominant class consisting of mediocre people! Mediocracy ; a system in which mediocrity is rewarded ! Should fly under the censorship rador! When will it end! In the play offs for the 'deluded'.
3

Northstandveteran added 19:37 - Jan 20 Good to see you're back on form swn98 😁 Even if the 1st thing you did was give me a down arrow for my comment 😂 Welcome back
3

ChestnutSe added 19:40 - Jan 20 It's all rubbish. Everything's crap. We didn't win but we should because we are better than them because they are lower down the league than us. MM is crap. ME just wants us to reduce his tax bill (can't understand why anyone with a brain cell thinks that's a good business idea - spend a pound to save 20p). All new signings are crap because we have not paid a big fee for them. All the players are rubbish except Kenlock when MM drops/rests him. MM won't play our youngsters (apart from playing more than any Championship manager. Letting Tommy go is rubbish (even though it's a great opportunity for him that he obviously fancies). Have I forgotten anything Oh yes, we need to boycott games to show what true supporters we are. Have a lovely weekend everybody and see you next Sat for Wolves COYB 😃

8

GTRKing added 19:48 - Jan 20 Mick Is done the best he can with the funds ME Is giving him... I know the fans have an opinion. But we need to get behind the team for the rest of the season. If you wanna boo/moan do if before/after the games (not during) Evans needs to give Mick/New manager money to spend. If he not bothered then should sell the club. I think we will finish 9th-11th this season better than Norwich I hope

4

warktheline added 19:56 - Jan 20 @chestnutse, yeah you've forgotten to add what a plum you are!
5

runningout added 20:14 - Jan 20 Where's all our humour gone.. Relax some of you.
4

ChestnutSe added 20:17 - Jan 20 LOL
1

trumpy added 20:26 - Jan 20 We are not a big club anymore. The sixties and seventies are gone.We must be realistic and realiase that money to a club like ITFC is never going to happen. Maybe a change of manager will prove to be the way forward but who will it be? I really think that without the injurys that have taken place this season,we would have been in the top six. We have got some very good young players coming through and in a another year or so.... who knows?!!!

5

lightingblue added 20:26 - Jan 20 My point is is that everyone moans. Personally I don't think at present we will get anyone better than what we have at the helm. McCarthy has done wonders with pretty much a zero budget. The club said they want a certain percentage of players being from the academy. Now with the crop of youngsters we have, get them all fully fit for next season. The mobeifrom selling players go into the academy. Isn't that what a large amount of people wanted a few seasons ago instead of buying players. Because youngsters coming through is what Ipswich do and nor spend money on buying players who are just after the money. That's mainly my moan about people moaning. I do appreciate people's comments, but not everyone can have their cake and eat it.

5

munstermanagement added 22:18 - Jan 20 Probably already mentioned by previous posters but five of those who played today aren't even Town players. I find that a little worrying.
4

LondonBlue73 added 22:19 - Jan 20 All I want on here is honest and factual comment with realistic views. People have every right to opposing opinions but should respect others and be fair. I personally feel it's time for a change and time to get back to more attractive football, though I appreciate budgets DO have an impact. Brighton fans are moaning at the football they are playing but surely that reflects their budget in the Premier League as in recent seasons they have played well. Back to us, someone has posted about where are our midfield youngsters? I expect fans to know before moaning for the sake of it, Dozell, Bishop, Downs, Nydam Huws, Adeyami are all injured. I think they would all be in the 18 and 11 often if fit. That's not MM fault. Gleeson signing was slagged off before a ball was kicked by him. But short term, experience makes sense. Front four all play football and Garner and Waghorn have been great signings. But for all those skating MM how do you justify it when, Pep, Pochettino, Eddie Howe, Koeman must all be more knowledgeable than us fans and all trust MM to develop their plays not forgetting Leicester last year giving him Lawrence. As I say I believe it's time for a change but until it happens I support my team by getting behind them and accepting the fact that football is about money nowadays and we are where our budget allows.

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shakytown added 22:52 - Jan 20 Awful game ,Awful tactics, awful manager who just cannot change. Get muck out and let the team play modern football and not the horrid c..p like at Bolton.
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