Cardiff v Ipswich: Brave Ipswich Town earned a fantastic – and deserved – draw against leaders Cardiff City in the wintry Welsh capital.

Mick McCarthy’s men carved out a handful of good chances, and came closest when Guirane N’Daw’s long-ranger cannoned off the inside of the post.

The hosts pressed the Blues back in the second half but there was no getting past the Town rearguard, marshalled superbly by Luke Chambers and Tommy Smith.

Ipswich shaded the first quarter of the match and went so close to taking the lead on 15 minutes when N’Daw took aim from 30 yards and cracked the post with Cardiff keeper David Marshall beaten.

Town went close again when David McGoldrick seized on a loose header from Mark Hudson but could only squeeze a shot beyond both Marshall and the near post.

At the other end, Craig Noone’s shot was superbly blocked by a combination of N’Daw and Chambers before the dangerous right-winger was just unable to get on the end of Peter Whittingham’s teasing low cross.

Cardiff improved after the break but were still largely shot-shy with Scott Loach largely untested.

It could have been different seven minutes after the restart but Chambers did superbly to deny Craig Bellamy after he got clear of Town’s tight back-four.

Bluebirds skipper Hudson flicked just wide before Cardiff went even closer as Bradley Orr almost misjudged a header which almost beat his own keeper.

Cardiff’s final good chance came in the 77th minute when Gunnarson’s headed effort went just over with the home crowd on their feet.

It was Ipswich who ended stronger with Smith and Carlos Edwards going close before debutant Frank Nouble twice caused problems in the home penalty area.

A bustling run and cross was punched clear by the diving Marshall before the former Wolves man went even closer, taking Daryl Murphy’s pass in his stride but side-footing just wide of the far post with both Michael Chopra and Edwards well-placed.

It was an excellent point for Ipswich who, on chances created, can feel a little aggrieved not to have taken all three.