Burley anger as Boro left off the hook

MIddlesbrough were lucky to hold on for a goalless draw - their third of the season - against an Ipswich team who have not won in the Premiership since August. The season's biggest crowd at The Riverside - 32,586 - saw bottom-ofthe-table Ipswich denied two possible penalties and also hit the woodwork twice.

The first penalty claim came when on-loan defender Franck Queudrue appeared to up-end striker Marcus Bent as the pair scrapped to reach a Sixto Peralta cross.

Ipswich manager George Burley said: 'I thought it was a blatant penalty, Marcus thought it was a blatant penalty and our chief scout in the main stand said it was a blatant penalty.' Burley shook his head in disbelief again when no penalty was awarded after Pablo Counago, chasing a rebound after his shot hit the post, was flattened by Ugo Ehiogu.

It was clear that it was not to be Ipswich's day when Hermann Hreidarsson leaped high to meet Jermaine Wright's corner eight minutes from time but saw his header bounce from the turf to the angle of bar and post. Burley said: 'The boys showed tremendous energy and commitment and they deserve credit for that after a very tough game against Inter Milan on Thursday.' An Ipswich win would have been thoroughly deserved, although Matteo Sereni had to make two excellent stops to deny Alen Boksic, who has now gone two games without scoring - his worst run of the season. Boro manager Steve McClaren said: 'In spells we played some great football and created some good chances but it was all too sporadic. Over a 38-game season you will have games like that.' For Ipswich, Titus Bramble, Mark Venus and Peralta all suffered injuries to join a casualty list that may force Burley to seek reinforcements for tomorrow's Worthington Cup game at Newcastle.