The Tigers ended a run of three consecutive defeats with a 0-0 draw at Ipswich Town to gain their first point of the 2006-07 Championship campaign.

Phil Parkinson made just one change to the side that lost at home to Derby County last weekend.

Nick Barmby was brought in to make his first league start since last January as Darryl Duffy dropped to the bench.

Also on the bench was John Welsh, who returned to the squad in place of Stuart Elliott.

Barmby started the game on the left side of midfield with Ryan France on the right and Craig Fagan partnering Jon Parkin up front.

Town boss Jim Magilton handed a debut to Ex-Tiger Mark Noble who completed his loan move from West Ham United yesterday.

City went straight on the attack and had the chance to take the lead inside 30 seconds. Good play between Parkin and Fagan saw France presented with the chance to cross for Barmby, but the latter mistimed his shot and the danger was cleared.

At the other end, a slip by Michael Turner allowed Nick Forster the time and space he needed to produce a cross to Alan Lee, but he glanced a header over the bar.

Loose play by David Livermore in the middle of the field gifted possession to Ipswich on 16 minutes but when the cross came in from the right, Jamie Peters couldn't get enough on the ball to direct it on target.

City were awarded a free kick two minutes later when Dean Marney was tripped by Simon Walton. Marney had a go for goal, but the shot lacked power and was easily gathered by Lewis Price.

Andy Dawson [pictured], who once again captained the side, was booked in the 23rd minute after preventing Ipswich from taking a quick free kick in the far corner of the field.

Barmby had another good chance on 25 minutes. Again France crossed from the right but the former England star could only get underneath the ball at full stretch to send it over.

Fagan had an ambitious attempt on goal just after the half hour. He stole in to steal the ball from Alex Bruce and tried to chip the keeper from 40 yards, but saw it drop over the bar.

The City striker was then left needing treatment after a strong challenge by Jason de Vos went unpunished.

Ipswich should have taken the lead four minutes before the break. Again Forster broke away down the right and crossed, but Walton could only spoon a shot over at the back post from five yards out.

Half Time: Tigers 0-0 Ipswich.

The first real action of the second half saw Gavin Williams go into the referee's notebook after deliberately tripping Michael Turner.

A poor clearance by Boaz Myhill on 55 minutes saw the ball land at the feet of Peters. He played the ball to Mark Noble, but his chip sailed just over the bar.

Fagan had been testing the referee's patience since the break and he was eventually shown the yellow card on 62 minutes after a foul on Noble.

Marney [pictured] went close to putting the Tigers ahead in the 66th minute. Good play down the right from France saw him cut the ball back, but Marney's low volley went straight at Price in the Ipswich goal.

Both sides made their first change after 70 minutes. Duffy came on to replace Barmby while Ipswich took Lee off and brought Danny Haynes on.

That City change meant a switch to the left for France as Fagan moved out onto the right wing with Duffy going up front.

City made their second change with seven minutes remaining as Welsh came on for Marney.

Fagan conceded a dangerous free kick on the edge of the City area on 84 minutes, but the delivery from Currie went straight into the hands of Myhill.

Ipswich began to exert some real pressure in the closing minutes, forcing a string of corners, but City managed to repel the danger.

Deep into four minutes of added time, the home side forced another corner but again it was cleared and City recorded their first point of the season.

Tigers (4-4-2) Boaz Myhill; Sam Ricketts, Sam Collins, Michael Turner, Andy Dawson [captain]; Ryan France, Dean Marney (Welsh 83), David Livermore, Nick Barmby (Duffy 70); Craig Fagan, Jon Parkin.

Subs: Matt Duke, Alton Thelwell, John Welsh, Darryl Duffy, Ben Burgess.

Bookings: Dawson 23, Fagan 63

Ipswich Town (4-4-2) Lewis Price; Alex Bruce (Wilnis 86), Jason de Vos [captain], Richard Naylor, Dan Harding; Jamie Peters (Currie 76), Mark Noble, Simon Walton, Gavin Williams; Nick Forster, Alan Lee (Haynes 70).

Subs: Shane Supple, Fabian Wilnis, Darren Currie, Dean Bowditch, Danny Haynes.

Bookings: Williams 53

By avoiding defeat, the Tigers also avoided a new club record of four consecutive defeats at the start of a Football League season.