Jonathan Douglas cancelled out an opener from Daryl Murphy as Ipswich Town were held to a 1-1 draw by playoff rivals Brentford in the Championship this afternoon.
Brentford threatened in the opening minutes as Alex Pritchard picked out Alan Judge on the left side of the box, with the midfielder dragging his shot wide of the post.
Ipswich went ahead with their first major chance in the ninth minute, when Murphy was left free at the back post to tuck in from Christophe Berra's headed flick on.
Murphy came close to adding a second soon after as he was picked out by Tommy Smith, but the striker fired wide from a tight angle on the right side of the box.
The Town striker appeared in great form in the first half, and he soon returned again to force a good stop from David Button down low following a long-range strike.
Brentford almost pulled level through Pritchard when he fired towards the top corner, only to draw an equally good save from Town keeper Dean Gerken.
The visitors found an equaliser just a few minutes later when Stuart Dallas had his shot parried, leaving Douglas to head home from the rebound.
Murphy should have put Town back ahead after the break when Jonathan Parr sent him through one-on-one with the keeper, only for him to fire over the crossbar.
The hosts continued to push for goal, with Tyrone Mings forcing Button into a good save at his bottom-left corner with 30 minutes remaining.
Brentford were unable to create much in the final third in the second half of the game, although Pritchard produced a fine strike that drew a smart save from Gerken down low.
Mings spotted a fine through ball into Murphy as Mick McCarthy's side sought to press forward, with the striker driving his effort straight at a thankful Button.
With Ipswich increasing the pressure, Brentford looked to settle for a point, with Button proving valuable again as he kept out another attempt from Teddy Bishop to ensure that the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Christopher Dodd
