Ipswich Hold Preston to Share Points in Championship Stalemate

Third-placed Ipswich dropped crucial points at Portman Road as they were held to a 1-1 draw by mid-table Preston, missing the chance to extend their automatic promotion push.

The Tractor Boys entered Friday afternoon’s clash in fine fettle, boasting five wins from their last six Championship outings and sitting pretty in third with 50 points from 28 matches. Their impressive goal difference of +21 suggested a side in complete control, whilst Preston arrived in Suffolk having endured a miserable run of three consecutive defeats before recent back-to-back victories restored some confidence.

The first half proved a cagey affair with neither side able to break the deadlock, despite Ipswich’s superior league position and home advantage. Both teams reached the interval with little to separate them, setting up what promised to be an intriguing second period.

Preston’s resilient display will come as welcome relief after their recent struggles, with the Lancashire outfit securing a valuable point that lifts them to 43 points from 29 matches. Their modest goal difference of +3 reflects a season of consolidation rather than ambition, but this result against promotion-chasing opposition will boost morale considerably.

For Ipswich, this represents a frustrating afternoon. Having averaged 1.79 points per game this season, Kieran McKenna’s side were many pundits’ favourites to secure all three points at home. ScoresFooty’s prediction model backed them for a narrow 1-0 victory, but Preston’s stubborn defensive display ensured the spoils were shared.

The draw leaves Ipswich eight points clear of Preston but potentially vulnerable to rivals closing the gap in the automatic promotion race. With 16 matches remaining, every dropped point at Portman Road could prove costly come May.

Preston, meanwhile, will view this as an excellent result that provides breathing space from the relegation scrap, sitting comfortably in 11th position.