Jones bemoans late goal which prolongs Stoke’s search for an away win

Posted Sunday, February 17, 2019 by PA

Stoke manager Nathan Jones was disappointed that his side failed to pick up three points at Ipswich after the home side snatched an added-time equaliser.

Will Keane headed home an Alan Judge corner to earn the hosts a 1-1 draw at Portman Road, after a dreadful mix-up in the home side’s six-yard box between centre-back Jonas Knudsen and goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski had been seized upon by James McClean for Stoke’s 42nd-minute opener.

Jones said after the 1-1 Sky Bet Championship stalemate: “It was disappointing as we should have been two or three up in the first half, with efforts by Sam Vokes and Tom Ince.

“But we did not play well in the second half and it was disappointing that we did not cover the corner for their goal.

“We have to be a lot better and we have looked solid but their goal was a bit of a sting in the tail. Up until they scored we looked solid and defended well.

“It’s a difficult place to come when they are fighting for their lives and Paul (Lambert) has certainly got them fighting.”

A great through-ball from Ince caught Vokes offside in the 29th minute and five minutes later the two again combined when Ince’s cross found Vokes unmarked in the six-yard box – but his diving header went just over the bar.

With half-time approaching shocking communication between Knudsen and Bialkowski led to Stoke taking the lead – but with time running out Hull loanee Keane got the hosts’ equaliser.

Stoke have not won on the road since October and this result sees them stay in the bottom half of the table, in 17th.

Meanwhile, Ipswich made up ground on the teams above them. The gap to safety is now nine points after Bolton and Reading lost and Rotherham drew.

Lambert said: “I thought that we were excellent. We were up against a team I know really well and lads that I know really well.

“There was nothing in the game. I thought second half we were relentless, I don’t think Stoke really caused too much problem for the squad that they’ve got.

“We were relentless, young lads with enthusiasm and energy and I thought it was no more than we deserved – and nobody can begrudge us that.

“We have got a lot of young players in the team and we had a hard game on Wednesday night. We have been excellent. I am proud of them and the atmosphere in the stadium is incredible.”

Lambert would not blame any of his players for the goal which gave Stoke the lead.

He added: “The response from the team was excellent. We have lads who have not played much football and the performance we have shown has been excellent.

“Our players never ever hide and go away from it and never shy away from football.

“We have been at the bottom of the table since the start of the season but they are fighting every time.”