Town and Posh play out stalemate

08 December 2009 22:05
The Tractor Boys dominated the game from start to finish but were guilty of squandering numerous chances against a side who had mustered just three points from a possible 27 on their travels.[LNB]Peterborough have now gone six games without a win in the league and manager Mark Cooper is yet to taste victory since replacing Darren Ferguson at London Road.[LNB]Ipswich, facing Posh for the first time in the league, made an excellent start with former Sunderland midfielder Grant Leadbitter pulling the strings in midfielder.[LNB]It was Leadbitter who had the first effort at goal in the 20th minute but he failed to find the target from fully 35 yards.[LNB]Jonathan Walters, on his 100th league start for the Tractor Boys, then found himself on the edge of the penalty area moments later but he too could not trouble Posh goalkeeper Joe Lewis.[LNB]But Town did force Lewis into action on the half-hour mark with Leadbitter being denied from 30 yards and the England Under-21 international also foiled Carlos Edwards from similar range.[LNB]Peterborough finally had their first sight of goal in the 31st minute but Craig Mackail-Smith fired wide from 12 yards.[LNB]Jonathan Stead headed a Liam Rosenior cross over the bar before Posh nearly took the lead against the run of play in the 34th minute.[LNB]Chris Whelpdale, making his 100th career appearance, whipped over a cross which was met by Lee Frecklington and he was denied by a fine save from Town goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett[LNB]Leadbitter, who had been the best player on the park in the first half, fired wide from long range minutes before the break.[LNB]Town missed a great chance to take the lead in the opening minute of the second half when Stern John headed over from six yards and six minutes later Stead's left-footed effort was kept out by Lewis.[LNB]The home side continued to pile on the pressure with Leadbitter drilling wide from 25 yards before Gareth McAuley should have broken the deadlock in the 68th minute.[LNB]Owen Garvan's free-kick was met by McAuley, whose header was parried by Lewis before the defender put his second effort over the bar.[LNB]Boss Roy Keane made a double substitution with 16 minutes left, bringing on Tamas Priskin and Connor Wickham for Stead and Walters in a bid to finally breach the Posh defence.[LNB]Wickham nearly repaid Keane's faith in him with the winner but Lewis comfortably saved.[LNB]Edwards and Owen Garvan had late chances before Aaron Mclean nearly won it for Posh in injury time, his deflected shot going just wide.[LNB]Ipswich remain in the relegation zone, behind Sheffield Wednesday on goal difference, while Posh stay bottom.[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk