Stan Ternent and Joe Royle both failed to show for the post-match press conference after Burnley and Ipswich had contested an entertaining 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.

The two managers side-stepped the inquest and it was left to home assistant manager Sam Ellis to give the only verdict offered by either camp on a game in which Ipswich extended their unbeaten run to eight matches.

The visitors only had themselves to blame for not taking all three points which explained why Ellis was more than happy with Burnley's point.

"Both teams tried to win it but we rate Ipswich among the best in the division and that's why we are pleased with both the performance and the result," said Ellis.

"They have some excellent players but we matched them and we might even have nicked a win."

A Burnley victory would have been rough on Ipswich who managed to create and miss a whole host of scoring opportunities with substitute Darren Bent the main culprit.

Ipswich had taken the lead in the 22nd minute when a right wing corner from Darren Ambrose was flicked on by Jim Magilton for Pablo Counago to shoot home from eight yards.

It was a bittersweet afternoon for Counago who then left the field to have stitches inserted in a head wound and failed to reappear.

His replacement Darren Bent, fellow striker Marcus Bent and Jermaine Wright all missed great chances to add to the Ipswich lead before Burnley were gifted an equaliser.

There seemed little danger when Ipswich keeper Andy Marshall had a rush of blood and his reckless challenge on Ian Moore gave Robbie Blake the chance to equalise from the penalty spot.

It was Blake's fifth such conversion this season but it failed to signal a home revival as Burnley were pushed on the back foot.

They were indebted to new signing Drissa Diallo who made a magnificent goalline clearance to keep out an effort from Darren Bent.

Frenchman Diallo proved to be a rock for Burnley, a fine performance considering that he had only signed on a one month contract 48 hours earlier from Belgian outfit KV Mechelen.

Darren Bent twice shot over when unmarked just a few yards out and how Ipswich nearly paid in full for the substitute's poor finishing.

Right at the death Burnley broke clear, only for their own substitute Dimitrios Papadopoulos to guide the ball wide when racing to meet a cross from Glen Little at the far post.