IPSWICH Town were pegged back and forced to share the spoils from a 2-2 draw at Birmingham City today.

The Blues looked on course for their first Championship victory of the season after first-half strikes from Jon Nolan and Matthew Pennington.

But the Midlanders, buoyed by last weekend’s surprise victory at second-placed Leeds United, threw themselves a lifeline three minutes after the break through Lukas Jutkiewicz.

And the same player grabbed his side’s equaliser, to complete their comeback, in the 68th minute.

Pennington saw red in the closing stages, sent off for a second yellow card, but Town held out for a point – the first they have gained on their travels this season, after defeats at Rotherham, Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City.

Paul Hurst’s side can take comfort from that, in addition to the fact they are unbeaten in three matches after their back-to-back home draws against Brentford and Bolton.

However, they will no doubt have left the field disappointed after putting themselves in such a commanding position at half-time.

Starting with the same side that drew against Bolton, they scored their goals in the 26th and 41st minutes.

Gazette:

Still waiting for his first win - Ipswich manager Paul Hurst at Birmingham Pictures: Pagepix

Nolan curled an effort into the top corner to put them in front – only the third time they have led this season - and Everton loanee Pennington swept a shot into the corner to further stun Garry Monk’s side.

But Birmingham responded when Jota played in Jutkiewicz, who slipped his shot into the back of the net past keeper Dean Gerken.

And the striker, having just struck the bar, hit his second of the game into the roof of the net from close range to level.

Pennington was dismissed with four minutes left for a second yellow card, having brought down Jacques Maghoma.

And Town keeper Gerken needed to be at his best late on to deny the hosts all three points, saving at point-blank range from Che Adams.

Ipswich's 12-game run without a victory stretches back to the end of last season, when they romped to a 4-0 victory at Reading in late-April.

Nevertheless, the point gained saw them climb another place in the Championship table.

They are now 22nd, having leapfrogged Millwall following the Lions’ defeat by Sheffield United.

Hurst’s men – minus the suspended Pennington - are back at Portman Road on Tuesday night for a tough-looking home match against third-placed Middlesbrough.

Tony Pulis’ side were held to a 1-1 draw at Hull City on Saturday.