LUCKY seven did not apply to Ipswich Town last night, as Roy Keane's men again failed to record their first league win of the season.

Carl Marston

Ipswich Town 1 Nottingham Forest 1

LUCKY seven did not apply to Ipswich Town last night, as Roy Keane's men again failed to record their first league win of the season.

Town were handed the perfect start by home debutant Grant Leadbitter, who broke the deadlock after just 42 seconds.

Jon Stead headed on a long throw by Carlos Edwards and Leadbitter connected with a sweet first-time volley. His right-footed strike, from eight yards out, seemed to take a slight deflection as it flew past keeper Lee Camp.

That should have inspired Town to go on and win, at the seventh attempt this season, but instead they rather lost their way during the second half and Nottingham Forest were good value for their point, thanks to substitute Robert Earnshaw's deadly finish just before the hour mark.

And to rub salt into Town's wounds, defender Gareth McAuley was then sent off in stoppage time, for hauling down Dele Adebola when the Forest striker was homing in on goal.

Barnsley, who began the night at the foot of the table, recorded a win at Derby, but Town remain second from bottom by dint of this point, and Plymouth's defeat to Watford.