Bristol City 0, Ipswich Town 0

Their confidence restored by last weekend’s surprise 2-1 win at Cardiff, the Tractor Boys made the initial running and former City loan signing Stern John, making his second start for the East Anglians, met David Wright’s cross with a header which sailed harmlessly over.

Bristling with good intentions after last week’s 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Sheffield United, City summoned an immediate response, Paul Hartley shooting inches wide from the edge of the penalty area after Nicky Maynard had opened up the Ipswich defence.

Both teams were prepared to commit men to attack and City goalkeeper Dean Kerken was called into meaningful action for the first time when pushing away a long-range drive from Repiblic of Ireland international Alan Quinn. Town centre-back Gareth McAuley headed narrowly off target and Jon Stead, recalled to the starting line-up volleyed just wide from Jon Walters’ deep centre as the visitors continued to make most of the running.

Robins manager Gary Johnson appealed to his players to cut out the individual errors which cost them against Sheffield United, only for Liam Fontaine to permit Stead a clear sight of goal. Once again, Gerken came to the rescue, flinging himself to his right to make a two-handed save.

Eager to impress against his former club, Danny Haynes surged past two blue-shirted opponents and dragged the ball back for Lee Johnson, whose rising shot was blocked by Damien Delaney.

But the better chances were being created at the other end and when Stead skipped around Lewin Nyatanga and sent in a dangerous low cross, Fontaine could clear only as far as Owen Garvan. Unfortunately for the visitors, the young Irishman lent back and sent his shot from 16 yards into the Wedlock Stand with the goal at his mercy.

Gerken again saved City, rushing off his line to smother Stead’s shot after Walters’ incisive through ball had caught out Jamie McAllister and Nyatanga.

City midfielder Marvin Elliott became the first player to be shown a yellow card, felling Walters from behind on 31 minutes as the game descended into a phase of untidy stalemate.

City finally managed to build momentum in the closing minutes of the first half and a flowing move involving five players culminated in Hartley curling a 25-yard shot just inches over Arran Lee-Barrett’s cross bar.