Blues got off to a terrible start in 2007 losing 1-0 to Ipswich at Portman Road on this New Years Day fixture. It was a below-par performance by table topping Blues who looked weary after the fixture-rammed period.

Despite the home side dominating the game it took a last minute goal by Ipswich substitute Gavin Williams to steal all three points right at the death and leave Blues shattered.

Steve Bruce made four changes to the side, some enforced, with Radhi Jaidi, Mehdi Nafti, Sebastian Larsson and Cameron Jerome all omitted from the starting line-up.

The latter two made it on the bench joining super-sub Neil Danns. Back in the starting line-up were Martin Taylor, fit again Stephen Clemence, Damien Johnson and DJ Campbell.

Lining up for Ipswich was the gaffer's son Alex Bruce to play against Blues for the first time since his move to Suffolk.

Ipswich were first to carve a chance out in the third minute when Sylvain Legwinski drilled a shot from the left side of penalty area which Martin Taylor blocked.

A minute later Billy Clarke tried his luck with a curling shot from the right which Maik Taylor parried away.

In the 10th minute Ipswich had another chance from long-range with Gary Roberts striking the bar with his shot from 20 yards.

Blues finally created a chance in the 12th minute when DJ Campbell volleyed wide of the target. A couple of minutes later Gary McSheffrey picked out Fabrice Muamba with a cross from the left but the youngster missed with his volley from inside the box.

On the quarter of an hour mark Legwinski headed wide a free-kick from Gary Roberts following Nicklas Bendtner's handball.

Moments later Alan Lee got the better of Matthew Upson but headed wide from Matthew Richards' cross as Blues escaped yet another Ipswich attempt.

Ipswich maintained the impetus and Clarke failed to hit the target with his shot as Maik Taylor watched on. 

The hosts continued to put Blues under pressure as Roberts' inswinging corner was met with a header by Richard Naylor that Sadler cleared off the line.

Legwinski headed the ball back into the danger area with Upson clearing this time for a corner.

In the 33rd minute former Blues man Bruce denied Muamba as he blocked his volley from the edge of the area.

In the 36th minute Ipswich danger-man Lee had another chance from distance that was well saved by the Blues number one.

A couple of minutes later Maik Taylor was tested yet again when Naylor picked out Legwinski with his cross but his header was well saved by the Blues keeper.

Blues finally created there first real chance in the 38th minute when Bendtner struck the bar with a header from close-range. Stephen Kelly picked out the Dane who should have done better with his chance as he had time and space to pick his spot.

A minute before half-time Roberts tried his luck from 25 yards but once again this attempt was wide of Maik Taylor's goal.

In the last minute of the first half Sadler was booked for a foul on Roberts following Upson's error moments earlier. Roberts tried his luck with a quick free-kick that Maik Taylor was at hand to collect.

Half-Time: Ipswich 0 Blues 0 

Clarke was the first Ipswich man in the book in the 51st minute for a nasty challenge on Campbell. In the 53rd minute Sadler was to the rescue again with another goal line clearance. Richard's inswinging corner was volleyed towards goal by Clarke but the Blues full-back was positioned perfectly to clear.

Gary McSheffrey had a rare Blues shot from 25 yards that failed to find the target and ensured that Bruce and Black wanted to change things.

In the 61st minute Bruce made his first substitution, replacing Muamba with Larsson.

Sadler continued to be a thorn in Ipswich's side as he made his third goal line clearance from Naylor's goal bound effort from yet another dangerous Richards' corner.

Midway through the half Campbell set up Gary McSheffrey in the box but on this rare occasion Blues' top striker completely mis-kicked the ball and the chance was gone.

In the 69th minute the Blues back four got away with it again when Kelly put Richards under enough pressure to stop him connecting with the ball as he looked to pull back the trigger.

Ipswich boss Jim Magilton made a change replacing Clarke with Williams.

Bruce made a familiar switch to his side pushing McSheffrey up front as he replaced Campbell with Danns in the 71st minute.

The change almost paid dividends a minute later when McSheffrey squared the ball to Bendtner five yards out.

Unfortunately for Blues the Dane saw his shot blocked by the legs of keeper Price for a corner.

Blues got away with it again when Lee broke clear of Martin Taylor but eventually the ball ricocheted off Upson and ultimately Lee for a goal-kick much to the striker's disgust.

Ipswich made a second change replacing Matthew Richards with Danny Haynes in the 79th minute.

In the 81st minute Sadler was fortunate to escape a second caution as he fouled Lee just outside the box. Surprisingly Mr D'Urso was lenient in his decision to let Sadler off.

In the 83rd minute Ipswich made their last change bringing on loan player Simon Walton for Owen Garvan.

Disaster struck in the last minute when substitute Williams volleyed in the winner for Ipswich. Shocking defending by Blues allowed Roberts to race down the left and have time to pick out Williams who made no mistake from six yards.

Blues still had the chance to save something from the game when Legwinski handled just outside the box. Unfortunately McSheffrey hit a poor shot at the wall and then followed up the rebound with another shot wide of the target.

This defeat saw Blues lead at the top cut from nine points down to three with Derby the latest team hot on Blues' heels.

This performance will now see Bruce assess his squad and see what is available in January's transfer window to drive on with the promotion push.

Full time: Ipswich 1 Blues 0

Blues: Maik Taylor, Stephen Kelly, Martin Taylor, Matthew Upson, Matthew Sadler, Damien Johnson, Stephen Clemence, Fabrice Muamba (61, Sebastian Larsson), Gary McSheffrey, Nicklas Bendtner, Dudley Campbell (71, Neil Danns)
Goals: None
Bookings: Mat Sadler (45)

Ipswich: Lewis Price, Alex Bruce, Dan Harding, Jason De Vos, Richard Naylor, Matthew Richards (79, Danny Haynes), Sylvain Legwinski, Owen Garvan (83, Simon Walton), Gary Roberts, Alan Lee, Billy Clarke (69, Gavin Williams).
Bookings: Billy Clarke (51)
Goals: Gavin Williams (90)

Attendance: 22,436