WANDERERS kept a third consecutive clean sheet and denied Ipswich Town a chance to go top of the Championship in a tight game at the Macron Stadium.

Eidur Gudjohnsen was introduced as a second-half substitute for the Whites and showed a few glimpses of class on the ball.

But rocked by the pre-match withdrawal of Joe Mason and an on-field injury for Max Clayton, Neil Lennon’s side will consider their point well-earned against one of the division’s in-form sides – even though they did not muster a shot on target in 90 minutes.

The Wanderers boss sprung a surprise with his team selection, giving Conor Wilkinson his full league debut and bringing David Wheater in for his first start since August.

It also emerged pre-match Joe Mason has picked up a hamstring injury – which looks likely to rule him out until the New Year.

Wheater’s return – presumably to combat Ipswich’s aerial threat – also meant Dorian Dervite was shifted along to right-back.

Max Clayton partnered Wilkinson up front but lasted just 26 minutes before he was stretchered off with what appeared to be a knee ligament injury.

It had been a bitty start to the game with Tractor Boys’ top scorer Daryl Murphy forcing Andy Lonergan into an early save with a left-footed effort.

Clayton then had a sight of goal after getting behind Tommy Smith but was denied by a fine block by Christophe Berra.

Wanderers started to find a little bit of fluency and when Liam Feeney did well to pick Tyrone Mings’ pocket and cross from the right, Tim Ream had a golden chance at the far post. After electing not to shoot first time, the American then blasted over the bar with his second attempt.

Eidur Gudjohnsen got a standing ovation when he came off the bench 23 minutes in and looked like he might be needed right away when Clayton went down on the touchline, clutching his knee.

The young striker played on for a couple of minutes but then collapsed in a heap as Ipswich broke, Murphy curling a shot narrowly wide.

Clayton was stretchered off and replaced by Jay Spearing as Lennon reverted to three at the back.

And the club skipper got straight into the action as he fizzed a shot narrowly wide after some good work from Feeney and Wilkinson.

After the break Ipswich had cause for complaint as referee Gary Sutton failed to play an advantage on the edge of the box as McGoldrick wound up to shoot.

Lonergan then came to his side’s rescue when McGoldrick’s shot bounced off Matt Mills and fell perfectly for Tabb – the Wanderers keeper making a superb sprawling save.

Gudjohnsen then made his grand entrance on the hour mark, replacing Pratley who had received a nasty bang on the head.

His arrival was nearly ruined by Tabb, whose diving header from a corner brought the best out of Lonergan once again.

McGoldrick went incredibly close once again on 63 minutes after beating the offside trap and striking an angled shot inches wide of the post.

Ipswich were looking to most likely to score, which is perhaps why with 20 minutes left Lennon brought Wheater off for Josh Vela and moved back to a flat back four in order to restore a bit of normality.

At the bitter end, referee Sutton lost control of the game completely.

Bookings for Ream and Gudjohnsen for fouls on Hunt were needless. And as if to level things up, the Lincolnshire official then cautioned the Ipswich striker for a swipe at Ream.

Wanderers will also argue he missed a late handball from Berra as Chung-Yong Lee looked to cross.