Alun Armstrong chose to focus on the positives after Ipswich Town's 0-0 draw with Everton at Portman Road on Saturday.

A close-fought contest ended in stalemate as the Blues kept their first clean sheet of the season.

Armstrong said: "We've got to use this game as a springboard because it was so pleasing not to concede a goal.

"That should take a bit of pressure off the defence - now it's up to myself and the other strikers to start scoring at the other end.

"I thought we were unlucky not to win on Saturday. The first-half performance was quite ordinary but after the break we were more positive.

"We created a lot of half-chances and, with a bit more luck, might have nicked a goal which would have been the decider.

"Having said that, Matteo Sereni made three excellent saves so I suppose we should be content with a point."

Mark Venus added: "I thought we played some good football. We worked hard and put them under a fair bit of pressure, but in the end it wasn't to be."

One surprise on the team-sheet was the omission of Jamie Clapham. The former Tottenham defender even failed to make the substitutes' bench.

He said: "I thought the four international players would come back into the side but it was disappointing not being involved in any way.

"I've been in and out of the side since Christmas. All I can do is take it on the chin and try and do things the right way when I get a chance."

Keith Branagan's loan move to Coventry fell through because Sky Blues keeper Marcus Hedman recovered from injury in time for Sunday's match with Walsall.

Ipswich have been drawn away to Newcastle in the fourth round of the Worthington Cup.

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