Lacking creativity at one end and easily exposed at the other. That's the simple way to describe this fresh setback for Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

Boss Joe Royle has signalled his intention to bring in a loan striker this week, and the need could not be greater.

With Pablo Counago suspended and Marcus Bent injured, Ipswich started with the partnership of Darren Bent and Alun Armstrong.

Coming through - Thomas Gaardsoe tries an unconventional method to win back the ball.

But they lost the latter through injury just after the half-hour mark - a setback which was to have major repercussions on their chances.

Bent was joined up front by Darren Ambrose and, as exceptional as the pair are individually, it was a big ask expecting them to lead the line.

As a result, genuine chances effectively dried up and the hosts were cruelly punished for a below par second half.

Palace dangerman Andy Johnson slipped the ball out wide to Danny Butterfield and his venomous cross-shot deceived Andy Marshall as it flew inside his near post.

Town's best spell came in the latter stages of the first half, and it was during that time they equalised just before the break.

It was the move of the game, with Jim Magilton spraying the ball out wide to Clapham.

His delivery was headed back across the dangerzone by Jermaine Wright - who came on in place of Armstrong - and Ambrose sent a deft header between the near post and Alex Kolinko.

Despite that flurry of early positives, there can be no denying that the visitors created a worrying number of chances.

The likes of Johnson, Freedman and Dele Adebola looked menacing every time they ventured forward and it was no real surprise when Palace went in front after 20 minutes.

Adebola sent in a low cross from the left and Johnson was given the time and space to fire past Marshall.

Published Monday November 4, 2002

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