Joe Royle was definitely the happier of the two managers after Ipswich's 1-1 draw at Portman Road.

He had seen his side outplayed for much of the game and was delighted to have got something from it at a time when Town are missing a number of players through injury.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic," he beamed afterwards. "With all our current problems, playing against one of the best teams in this division.

"It was bad luck to go behind to a wicked deflection and I thought 'here we go' and then the good luck to get the penalty, which I'm sure Glenn (Hoddle) won't be happy with.

"Nevertheless I can't fault our spirit as we battled on and kept going."

Royle agreed that the penalty awarded had been fortunate for Town and said he would have been 'disappointed' if it had been given against his side.

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Published Monday, December 5, 2005

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