IPSWICH Town produced a vastly-improved second-half performance to come from behind and snatch a 1-1 draw in tonight’s Championship match against Brentford at Portman Road.

On an emotion-charged night, it looked at one stage like they might flop on the big stage as Neal Maupay put the high-flying Bees ahead.

But Kayden Jackson rescued a point in the 73rd minute with a well-taken headed goal from Trevoh Chalobah’s cross.

By that stage, it was a deserved share of the spoils – they might even have been ahead - but at half-time that seemed an unthinkable prospect.

Town went into the game desperate to impress – because of their obvious plight at the bottom of the table but also in the wake of legend Kevin Beattie’s untimely death on Sunday.

The former defender and England international passed away from a suspected heart attack, aged just 64.

The game was preceded by a minute’s applause – followed by another impromptu one in the sixth minute, representing Beattie’s shirt number – and there were moving tributes from Town legends including George Burley and Terry Butcher.

However, Ipswich were unable to glean any inspiration and made to pay for a sub-standard first-half performance.

They were so poor – devoid of confidence, seemingly scared in possession, over-run in midfield and alarmingly short of quality.

Their passing was woeful and the unforced error count too high.

The only saving grace, given their performance level, was that they only conceded one goal.

It came just after the half-hour mark when Romaine Sawyers skipped clear down the right and his pull-back flicked up in the air off Jordan Spence.

Maupay had time to steady himself before sending a looping header over Dean Gerken’s head.

In fairness, Town were much improved after the break.

They made a couple of changes, bringing on Gwion Edwards and Jon Nolan for Jordan Spence and Ellis Harrison.

And it appeared to pay off, with the hosts suddenly playing with an intensity that had been sorely lacking before the break.

They looked more comfortable in a 4-2-3-1 formation – as opposed to their first-half 3-5-2 – and Bees keeper Daniel Bentley had to react quickly to block a near-post drive from Jonas Knudsen.

From the ensuing corner, Kayden Jackson’s overhead kick hit the bar and Luke Chambers’ follow-up attempt was headed off the line by skipper Chris Mepham.

At the other end, Brentford – going into the match second in the table and breathing down leaders Leeds United’s necks – so nearly added a second when Yoann Barbet clubbed a free-kick against the bar from 20 yards.

But Town refocused and got the equaliser they eventually deserved from their Jekyll and Hyde performance.

Chalobah whipped in a cross from the right and former Accrington Stanley striker Jackson rose at the near post to glance a precise header across goal and inside the far post.

Jackson then had another late chance to add a winner but lashed over when well-placed.

So Town are still waiting for their opening victory, now failing to win any of their opening eight matches, but, on the plus side, they are still unbeaten at Portman Road.

If they produce many more performances like they did in the first half it could be a long, hard slog of a season.

But if they can replicate the spirit and intensity shown in the second, it surely won’t be long before they register their much-needed maiden victory.

The next opportunity to do that is on Saturday, when Phil Parkinson’s Bolton Wanderers are the visitors to Portman Road.