A striker for a striker for Bournemouth as Eddie Howe freshens things up in attack. Yann Kermorgant on for Brett Pitman.

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Rotherham manager Steve Evans isn't the sort of character to mince his words - and he certainly didn't after the 2-1 defeat Birmingham earlier.

The fourth-bottom side were denied a spot-kick when Matt Derbyshire went down under Rob Kiernan's second-half challenge as the Millers chased an equaliser while trailing 2-1. It is fair to say Evans was fuming...

"It was the worst refereeing decision I've ever seen," said the Scot. "We have just seen the DVD. It is as nailed on as they come.

"It's a penalty and a red card. If you don't give them then you might as well give the game up.

"You might as well get a 12-year-old in who has blue blood in his veins to come and referee.

"I'm not questioning the integrity of Dean Whitestone, I'm just saying he was atrocious today - you can write that in capitals for the Football League."

Luke Varney smashes the ball high, wide and not very handsome from 20 yards for Ipswich. It all wastes a bit of time though.

Former England and Ipswich defender Terry Butcher
BBC Radio 5 live at Portman Road

"Mick McCarthy may be thinking about bringing on an extra midfielder now and saying, come on on to us and break us down. Freddie Sears has played really well but an option would be to take him off and leave Daryl Murhpy to lead the line on his own up front."

Bournemouth have enjoyed 64 % of possession and have had 14 shots. But, so far, it is all in vain. There is a nervous atmosphere around Portman Road at the moment though.

This is backs to the wall stuff by Ipswich. Daryl Murphy is hanging around up front but, apart from him, it is everyone behind the ball and defend. Can they hang on to sit fifth in the Championship?

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Richard Chaplow - on loan from Millwall - replaces Teddy Bishop in midfield for Ipswich. A bit more of a physical presence for the hosts perhaps? They are under the cosh.

Patlbs: I can feel a Bournemouth goal coming...

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Former England and Ipswich defender Terry Butcher
BBC Radio 5 live at Portman Road

"Ipswich need a second goal here, because the way Bournemouth are playing they are just going to keep going and going. It's only a matter of time until they score, surely."

Matt Ritchie has to do better there. Brett Pitman plays him in on the right but, instead of shooting straight away, he cuts inside and his curled effort is blocked. Callum Wilson shoots into the side netting soon after as Bournemouth keep on coming.

Former England and Ipswich defender Terry Butcher
BBC Radio 5 live at Portman Road

"It's been end-to-end attacks here so far, wonderful stuff. It's a wonder there's only been one goal. I thought we were about to have one there for sure because Bartosz Bialkowski was in no man's land.

"Mick McCarthy is unhappy on the touchline, his defenders have been giving Callum Wilson too much space in attack. He really is fleet-footed, Wilson."

Ipswich's hero of the first half, goalkeeper Bartosz Białkowski, just about stops Charlie Daniels' lobbed effort. The Bournemouth man thinks he has lofted it over the onrushing stopper but the ball strikes his stretched arm and bounces clear. How long can Ipswich keep the Cherries out?

Ipswich aren't just on the defence though. The dangerous Freddie Sears breaks towards goal but drags a weak shot wide from 25 yards. Sears has been a constant menace.

Bournemouth playing some delicious stuff around Ipswich's penalty area but, as has been often the case, the final ball is off radar and the hosts are let off again.

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A big half for Bournemouth and Ipswich. Can the hosts hang on? We are about to find out. Game on.

Former England and Ipswich defender Terry Butcher
BBC Radio 5 live at Portman Road

"It was a great start for Ipswich but Bournemouth reacted very well. They've looked the more likely to score - they've done everything but score in fact, and are playing with great confidence.

"We're looking forward to the half-time pies, because the pies before the game were absolutely brilliant."

Image source, Opta

Pretty clear from the stats above who is on top. But, they need to find a finish...

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Wigan manager Malky Mackay, whose side drop to second bottom and are five points from safety, tells BBC Sport: "I am really disappointed for the players. I thought they were terrific and went toe to toe with a Middlesbrough side that's on the verge of being promoted.

"In the second half we had two or three good chances and overall we deserved something. We showed real courage.

"If we keep playing like that I can't ask for any more. I can ask for a bit more quality around the goal but that's been a problem from the start of the season."

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Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka on the race for the Premier League: "I made a mistake a few months ago when I thought it was a race between Derby, Bournemouth and us.

"Now you look at the table and Derby will be outside the play-offs if they lose their game tonight.

"That means this league is very difficult. We are in a good position but we have to keep going."

Middlesbrough replaced Bournemouth at the top of the pile earlier today following a 1-0 win at home relegation-threatened Wigan. A result that isn't allowing manager Aitor Karanka to get carried away.