West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Ipswich Town: Darren Moore sacked after draw with bottom club
- Published
Stefan Johansen's deflected free-kick was his first goal of the season
West Bromwich Albion lost ground on the Championship's top two after being frustrated by bottom side Ipswich Town in what proved to be head coach Darren Moore's final match in charge.
The 44-year-old was sacked less than three hours after his side were denied victory by the Tractor Boys, slipping nine points below the automatic promotion places.
The Baggies had looked on course for victory after Stefan Johansen gave them the lead inside five minutes with a deflected free-kick that wrong-footed goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.
They had a string of chances to seal the points in the first half, but found Bialkowski in excellent form - the Pole making two good saves from Jacob Murphy and then denying Tosin Adarabioyo from point-blank range after the defender had met Johansen's corner.
But Ipswich drew level early in the second half through Jon Nolan, who headed Gwion Edwards' cross from the right into the bottom corner from 12 yards out, and held on for a point.
The result saw the fourth-placed Baggies' winless run stretch to three matches, following back-to-back losses to promotion rivals Sheffield United and Leeds United.
Bialkowksi was instrumental in Ipswich's resistance, miraculously saving Dwight Gayle's effort on the edge of the six-yard box after the ball had dropped kindly for the Albion striker.
Town could have snatched an unlikely win through Kayden Jackson, but the forward was twice denied by Sam Johnstone in the West Brom goal, firstly after being put through on the left-hand side and then after a smart turn and shot inside the penalty area.
The visitors also threatened through Alan Judge's 30-yard effort, which dipped just over the bar, but will ultimately be satisfied with a spirited display.
Speaking before his departure was announced, West Brom head coach Darren Moore told BBC Radio WM 95.6:
"Based on the chances we created, we should have won the game. We had some great chances to score a second goal. Their 'keeper has pulled off some magnificent saves, which suggests we had the upper hand.
"In the second half, they had nothing to lose. They were throwing men forward. That left us spaces to exploit, but we couldn't get that killer touch right to finish them off. The final pass eluded us.
"Nobody here wants to draw games. We want to win. So you can understand [fans booing]. We've got to find our rhythm again and get back to winning ways. The next opportunity is Wednesday."
Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert told BBC Radio Suffolk:
"I've come away [from games] thinking 'how the hell have we lost?' We play really good football. That's why the fans come to watch us. We've got a really good nucleus of young players. It's not over, that's for sure.
"We looked really dynamic today. We passed the ball really well; I thought we deserved more.
"Jon Nolan is playing really well. He has a great eye for a goal, and makes great runs. But it wasn't just Jon; I thought the whole team was excellent."