Derby County have failed to break down a stubborn Ipswich Town defence in a goalless 45 minutes at Pride Park.

The returning Jamie Ward looked the biggest threat for the hosts and he was denied by a good save from Scott Loach in the 16th minute.

Ipswich struggled to assert themselves on the match and were almost punished when Connor Sammon broke free of the visiting defence, but the forward struck the post.

Sammon's chance seemed to spark Ipswich into life and they were close to taking the lead when David McGoldrick stung the palms of Frankie Fielding in the Derby goal.

Derby had a great opportunity to snatch the lead just before the break but Loach saved Ward's penalty following a foul on Richard Keogh inside the box.