[themaclad]

https://www.fotmob.com/matches/preston-v...tab=lineup

Before the game would have quite happily have settled for a point, on the way home a tad disappointed we didn't pick up all three, compared to last weeks drubbling this was a performance like we had a Bristol City unfortunately just couldn't see it out.
Manager changed keeper third choice Cornell between the sticks tough on Walton but he did have a shocker last week. Lindsay in for the suspended Storey and a midfield which suggested that it was p to them to break us down.
First 20 minutes all Ipswich didn't really create anything, sarted to grow into the game, Jebbison who was outstanding throughout, broke away and ran 60 yards before chipping the keeper went the wrong side of the post, possibly could have been better, Gibson forced Walton into a save after some classy work by Devine.
Ipswich threatened at corner, got away with it a couple of times but Cornell showed his experince in commanding his six yard box.
Half time more than happy, Devine had two opportunities to score, but was let down by his shooting.
Subs for Ipswich Hurst screwed horribly wide when presented with a more than bagable chance.
Highlight of the afternoon was a goalmouth scramble of epic proportions and Gibson cleared off the line after a Hurst shot.
Goal for us was no more than we deserved, Jebbo run, ball to Thompson, shot tipped over by Walton, resulting corner Gibson at the second attempt and in it goes.
All Ipswich now, pinned back before the penalties saga, don't think it is a penalty, Clarke goes down in a delayed fall, but he gives it not sure whether hhe double kicks it as he slips but he beats Cornell.
Next fould on Clarke is a penalty not given and two more shouts in the space of 10 seconds neither given, also thought we may have escaped a hand ball claim in the first half as well but level at the end.

heck

Paul Heckingbottom was pleased with how his team performed during their 1-1 draw away at Ipswich Town.

North End took the lead at Portman Road through Lewis Gibson but were ultimately forced to settle for a draw after Jack Clarke equalised late on from the penalty spot.

Following a run of three consecutive defeats, the manager took pleasure in how PNE responded in East Anglia.


“That was more like it,” stated Hecky. “Enjoyed the game, enjoyed how we played. Strong performance here, just gutted we didn't get the three points.

“But it doesn't always go your way. We were really, really solid today, throughout the game, defending our box really well. Controlled where Ipswich had the ball. Then I felt after the first five minutes, we were composed with the ball as well and the regains, we kept it.

“When it was on the counter, we posed that threat. You feel like we really matched their physicality, because it just seemed we were winning that ball, and we had real purpose. We were getting that ball and making stuff happen with it more times than not.

“Jebo's chance, for example, first half, when we want to win the ball high, whether it's a goal kick, throw-ins, things like that. But we knew the longer it was going 1-0, the more attacking players they’d put on the pitch, and the more we'd have to defend our box and barring the moment where we gave the ref an opportunity to make a decision, rightly or wrongly, we were really good.”

There were a number of changes to North End’s starting 11, with Dai Cornell playing his first minutes of the 2025/26 campaign.

Liam Lindsay was also handed his first Championship start of 2026, and both players performed their duties excellently throughout the contest.

During the gruelling schedule of 46 Championship matches, having players who are prepared to step in and perform instantly is something Hecky has set up his squad to include.


“We all work hard,” stated the manager. “Work on the training pitch.

“Because you never know when you're going to be needed as a player. So that's important to get the same detail. Because then it's down to the player when they come in to be able to perform.

“We set the players up as well as we possibly can. If they take the information board, they should always be prepared to play and perform.”

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk:

"It was a tough challenge. They came today with a gameplan, they defended really deep, put an extra body in midfield, which they don't usually do, and they made it really hard for us to break them down.

"We did some good things, we came close a few times but we didn't quite do enough or execute enough. We need to keep working on it.

"We didn't quite manage to counter enough throughout the game. Daniel Jebbison was a big threat with his running and then they scored their goal from a set play which was a bit lucky as well, to be honest, in terms of how it fell, but we didn't defend it well enough.

"After that I thought the reaction from the team and the stadium was really good."