Ipswich goalkeeper Laurie Sivell faces the possibility of permanent disfigurement because of a moment of supreme courage at Villa Park on Saturday.

An undistinguished, often boring match, was drawing to its 0-0 conclusion when Villa centre half Chris Nicholl shook everybody with a fierce 25-year drive that flew towards Sivell’s left hand post. The goalkeeper grappled with the ball but could not hold it and Andy Gray moved in for the rebound.

Sivell dived forward to smother the ball and did so successfully but in the process caught Gray’s boot flush in the face.

The blow broke Sivell’s nose, knocked out three teeth and split both his lips in a line from the middle of his chin to a point just below his nostrils. Seven stitches were put in the wound and Ipswich manager Bobby Robson said: “Laurie is the bravest goalkeeper in the country but he is in one hell of a mess at the moment and we are afraid he could be disfigured.”

But Robson had no complaints about Gray’s challenge. “It was a straight forward 50-50 ball and Gray had to go for it. You can’t blame him for what happened.”

Villa manager Ron Saunders also praised Sivell. “He’s a bit brave and deserves all the credit going. It was his action that cost us an extra point.”

The 89th minute incident was just about the sole talking point after 90 minutes of largely negative football from one side who did not want to do anything about it and from another side who could not do anything about it.

Dennis Mortimer, making his first appearance since injuring a knee ligament in mid-January could have scored twice in the first-half and should have scored once in the second while Gray lacked the support he has come to expect and for much of the time was a lonely front runner.

“Ipswich came for a point and in that respect they did their job very well.” said Saunders” But we did not play well ourselves for that type of negative approach is one ww should be able to overcome.”

A dry, bumpy pitch did not make their task any easier but neither did a self-inflicted overburdened midfield and some sloppy passing.

Still, if it hadn’t been for Sivell …