Jim Magilton confessed it was "hardly a game for the purists," but the predicament the visitors find themselves in means that they are more concerned with points that aesthetics.

So, having gained membership of an exclusive club of teams who have departed from 'Fortress Ipswich' this season with something to show for their efforts, little wonder that Blackwell declared the evening an encouraging success.

"I thought we edged it slightly," the United manager, who saw James Beattie's goal threaten to inflict a rare home defeat upon Magilton's men before Alan Lee's equaliser, said.

"We came close. It's certainly been an interesting start for me what with playing a Premiership outfit twice, the multi-millionaires from QPR, high-flying Charlton and now a very confident Ipswich side.

"As the game went on we became more dangerous and, barring one of two things, I don't think our keeper had too much to do.

"You expect periods of pressure when you come here... but we stood up to it well and had opportunities of our own.

"We knew that if we didn't come here and compete then we'd definitely get rolled over."

After Saturday's home defeat by Charlton, a display Blackwell described as "abject", competing was the very least United, now 17th in the table, could do to repay the small band of travelling supporters who made the long journey down to Suffolk, but they did plenty more besides.

Michael Tonge, their most effective performer, saw a rasping drive thunder against the crossbar moments before Lee levelled and referee Kevin Friend ignored Beattie's strong appeal for a penalty during the closing stages, much to Blackwell's chagrin.

"It should definitely have been given," he said. "James got pushed in the back as he went chasing after the ball.

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"Even their goalie had a word with him at the end about how they got away with that one."

Having elected to make just one enforced change to the starting line-up which failed so miserably at the weekend – Gary Naysmith returning for the suspended Stephen Quinn – Blackwell will have been especially pleased with the resilience United showed as Ipswich, beaten just once on home soil this term, flexed their muscles early on.

Widely regarded as being one of the division's most attractive and fluent units, David Norris, Velice Sumulikoski and Richard Naylor, making his 300th appearance for Ipswich, all tested Paddy Kenny before Beattie, who had earlier headed David Cotterill's looping centre wide of the near post, landed a concussive blow.

Dan Harding, under pressure from Billy Sharp, made a dreadful hash of his clearance by the corner flag and, rather than punting the ball upfield, scuffed it straight into Cotterill's path.

But it was Tonge who carved open Ipswich's rearguard, showcasing the talents that once made him one of the most coveted players outside of the Premier League by delightfully ghosting his way past two defenders before finding his team mate at the far post.

Beattie has now hit the target 14 times since his record-breaking transfer from Everton in the summer but seldom can he have scored an easier goal.

Having bemoaned not only United's lack of width in recent matches but also their failure to provide consistent, quality service to the forwards, Blackwell could not have planned it better.

"It was nice to see one of the strikers score," he confessed. "Because they've not being doing that lately. But we all know that when strikers get one they often go on a run."

Magilton said: "We started brightly but when we didn't breakthrough they grew in confidence. United have probably under- achieved more than anyone in the division but they've got lots of experience and some excellent players. Credit where credit's due because they defended very well. We lacked quality and composure. To win games like that you need something a little bit different, something extra."

Only the width of the crossbar prevented Tonge, the fulcrum of United's midfield, from delivering it but his fearsome effort cannoned back into play and moments later Lee dragged Ipswich level when, taking advantage of indecision caused by an assistant referee's flag, he converted Jonathan Walter's lofted chip.

Tonge has often flattered to deceive in a central role but not here.

Always industrious and inventive when the opportunity arose, Blackwell insisted: "That deserved to go in. Michael deserved something from it."

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