Promotion-chasing Ipswich lost the chance to pull away from the pack in the Championship as they were held to a 0-0 draw by struggling QPR.

The match saw both sides have a number of chances to win it, with the visitors coming closest when Steve Cook’s header hit the post and ran across the goal line.

The result saw Ipswich fall eight points behind leaders Leicester, with the gap to third-placed Southampton just three points, while QPR stayed in the drop zone.

Sinclair Armstrong made his presence felt in the second minute when he muscled his way past Luke Woolfenden but Ipswich goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky parried the shot behind for a corner.

Three minutes later, Freddie Ladapo had only Asmir Begovic to beat when Conor Chaplin played him in but he delayed his shot which was cleared by the Rangers’ defence.

Begovic came to the visitors’ rescue when he deflected the ball over the bar with his legs from another Ladapo effort, while Ilias Chair and Armstrong combined down the left with the latter’s shot coming off Hladky for a QPR corner.

Ipswich had a narrow escape in the 31st minute when Cook’s header struck the base of the post following a QPR corner and rolled across the goal line, with a combination of Hladky and Cameron Burgess clearing the ball away.

At the other end, Begovic tipped a shot from Omari Hutchinson over the bar and an inswinging corner by the Chelsea loanee that was creeping inside the near post was headed behind by Reggie Cannon.

Ladapo had the QPR shot-stopper stretching across his goal line following a cross from Cameron Humphreys which the Ipswich striker headed narrowly wide, and a slick exchange of passes between Marcus Harness and Humphreys resulted in the midfielder’s shot being blocked by Begovic.

Paul Smyth came close to giving the Hoops the lead when he almost beat Hladky to the ball and referee David Webb turned away penalty appeals for QPR when Smyth went down in the box following a challenge from Woolfenden.

The match was held up at half time after a medical emergency in the crowd.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is confident Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group want to work with him and believes the incoming minority owners can help the club fulfil their lofty ambitions.

The Old Trafford giants announced on Christmas Eve that a long-awaited deal has been reached for boyhood fan Ratcliffe to buy a 25 per cent stake in the Premier League outfit.

INEOS is taking responsibility for United’s footballing operations under the terms of a deal that is expected to take four to six weeks to receive regulatory approval.

Sir Dave Brailsford, INEOS’ director of sport, was at Old Trafford on Boxing Day for the stunning 3-2 turnaround against Aston Villa, and Ten Hag says he will be speaking to the new minority owners soon.

“The schedule is so condensed so I didn’t have the time so far to speak with them, but it will come and I look forward (to it),” the United boss, who has been the subject of scrutiny and criticism this season, said.

“They want to work with me, I want to work with them. We will have the conversations, the meetings, so we will see.”

Asked if he is expecting INEOS to be a regular presence at United’s Carrington training base, Ten Hag said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest: “I’m focused on the game so far.

“So, I said, no, in this moment I don’t want to have distractions but in the coming days, weeks, there will be time for this and then I know more.

“But I think it’s a good thing, it’s very positive and, as I said, we are looking really forward to working together.

“INEOS wants to work with me, in this structure, and I want to work with them.”

The fact Ten Hag repeated his belief that Ratcliffe’s team wanted to work with him seemed to suggest he has had some kind of assurances.

“From the start of the process I was kept informed,” the Dutchman said when that theory was put to him. “First by (departing chief executive) Richard Arnold, later on by (interim chief executive) Patrick Stewart.

“So I know everything, I know every detail, how the meetings and how the talks are, how the agreements are. Now it just has to settle down, give us some time.

“I have to talk with them and not with you about this and then we will see but I’m sure, I’m very positive about the messages I have been given.”

Under the terms of the agreement, INEOS will be consulted on football matters as they await ratification for a deal that Ten Hag believes can help awaken what have become stumbling giants.

Off the field, Ratcliffe has committed £236.7million to enable future investment into Old Trafford, while INEOS Sport’s widespread experience could prove beneficial on the pitch.

As well as interests varying from cycling to sailing and Formula One to rugby, Ratcliffe owns French football club Nice – currently second in Ligue 1 – and Swiss Super League team Lausanne-Sport.

“In other clubs, they have experience,” Ten Hag said. “In other sports, they have a lot of experience, a lot about performance, so they have a lot of knowledge.

“I’m really looking forward to (seeing) how they can contribute and I’m sure they can.

“We have to pick the things. Football is a very complicated sport, especially in the top, so I’m sure they will contribute, they will help us to achieve our high ambitions.”

Ten Hag has made it clear during his reign that United have to become regular trophy contenders once again, but FA Cup glory is all they can fight for this term.

Out of Europe, the Carabao Cup and Premier League title race, the Red Devils end of a topsy-turvy 2023 at rejuvenated Forest on Saturday evening.

Anthony Martial remains unwell and unavailable on a lengthy injury list that Ten Hag says will soon ease, with Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Mason Mount due back in mid-January.

“I think we are very optimistic,” he said looking ahead to the second half of the season.

“When the players return and now the luck is a little bit on our side now in the matter of injuries, then (it will be like) we have five or six new signings in January.”

Mauricio Pochettino thanked Chelsea supporters for the reception given to Nicolas Jackson during the 2-1 home win against Crystal Palace, as the striker prepares to play for the final time before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Pochettino takes his team to play Luton on Saturday lunchtime looking to build on Wednesday’s victory at Stamford Bridge and end a run of four consecutive away Premier League defeats.

Jackson was jeered by his own fans when he was substituted during the second half of the loss to Wolves on Christmas Eve, but recovered to give one of his more impressive performances for the club against Palace.

He had a goal disallowed for a fractional offside, finishing brilliantly on the volley from Axel Disasi’s cross, and showed good movement to get on the end of a pass from Conor Gallagher before shooting wide.

He also set up Mykhailo Mudryk in the first half with an intelligent back heel, but the Ukrainian’s effort was blocked by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

The manager emphasised that the 22-year-old Senegal international, who is the team’s top scorer with eight in all competitions, does not yet have the experience that previous Chelsea strikers brought with them when joining the club.

“(Against Palace) he was really good,” Pochettino. “He was only missing a goal. In the way he worked for team and ran and pressed, he was amazing.

“We are putting too much focus on him. We need to give him time, we need to believe in him. I think it was really nice the fans in the moment he missed the chances, they were very supportive. I really appreciate the fans that support him.

“Only with time he is going to be more relaxed and calm. Already he has scored goals, it’s not that he doesn’t score. If we check in the past, strikers that arrive at different clubs in England, if they can perform in the first season.

“We’re in months (since he joined), but (people) want that he score goals like (Didier) Drogba or (Jimmy Floyd) Hasselbaink. They came with different experience. You have to look at the background of the player. He’s young, came from Spain, not playing too much. He’s a very good prospect, amazing potential.

“Playing for Chelsea is not the same as playing for a different club, with all respect. The pressure is always when you took the ball to be fantastic.”

Pochettino said that he expected to play a role in any transfer business the club might conduct in January.

Previously targets have been selected by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart but the manager confirmed he will have a say over possible new recruits.

He has spoken in recent weeks about a possible need for reinforcements if results and performances do not improve.

“It’s obvious that a head coach or manager is going to be involved,” he said. “It’s crazy to think I won’t be involved in any decision for the future in my area.

“We are going share (opinions) with the owners and sporting director. I cannot conceive the idea of not being involved.”

Pep Guardiola has reminded players of the importance of personal security after the home of Jack Grealish was burgled in midweek.

The Manchester City manager has even suggested cutting back on social media use as part of any precautions.

Thieves broke into Grealish’s Cheshire mansion while he was playing in the treble-winners’ victory at Everton on Wednesday.

Some members of Grealish’s family and his fiancee Sasha Attwood were at the property at the time when they heard a disturbance and raised the alarm.

Nobody was harmed but it has been reported the raiders got away with jewellery and watches worth £1million.

The incident is the latest in a series of robberies affecting wealthy footballers in recent years.

Former City defender Joao Cancelo was attacked during a burglary at his home in December 2022 while other players targeted include Raheem Sterling, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Paul Pogba and Angel Di Maria.

Guardiola said: “They have security but unfortunately it’s happened. It’s happened many times.

“United players as well. I don’t know much about London but it’s happened (there), and not just in the UK – I know in Catalonia, where my family lives, many things happen.

“Today you have to be careful, definitely. Not much on social media – the less they know what you are doing the better. People are waiting (to see) where you are, what you are doing.

“Unfortunately it’s happened with Joao, which was so scary because the family was attacked.

“Jewellery, money, whatever – it’s tough – and the family being there is difficult to process. It’s tough for Jack, as it was with Joao before.”

It remains to be seen if Grealish will be in the right state of mind to play for City against bottom side Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Guardiola said: “He didn’t train on Thursday, he was with the family. We are going to see how he feels.”

The visit of the Blades seems likely to come too soon for Kevin De Bruyne but Guardiola has not completely ruled out him having some involvement.

The Belgium playmaker is nearing a return after more than four months out following hamstring surgery.

Guardiola said: “He’s training with a lot of energy. Being injured is not good for anyone but I think for his mind it will have been good to have a few months off.

“What he loves is playing football but it’s been a long injury. It was major surgery and muscular so we have to be careful. It’s how many minutes he can handle and do it step by step. We have to speak to the doctors and physios as well.”

Defender John Stones is definitely out having joined Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku on the casualty list when he suffered an ankle injury in midweek.

Guardiola said: “Unfortunately, John got injured. Hopefully he recovers. We have to be optimistic and hopefully in two, three weeks he will be fine.”

England’s World Cup captain Millie Bright said she was “gobsmacked” to learn she was being made an OBE in the New Year Honours List, and was initially worried that the letter confirming the accolade was a parking fine.

Bright leads a trio of Lionesses to be recognised after the team’s march to the World Cup final in August, with goalkeeper Mary Earps and forward Lauren Hemp being made MBEs.

The 30-year-old Chelsea defender, who got engaged to her partner Levi Crew on Christmas Day while on holiday in Mauritius, was elated to receive the OBE but feared the worst to begin with.

Asked for her reaction to the news, she told PA: “Gobsmacked. It’s something you never imagined, something that never crossed my mind.

“Levi opened the letter for me because I was at training. He saw what it was straight away and he was like ‘oh my God, I’ve got to tell her’. So he sent me a message saying ‘you’ve got a letter, it’s really important’.

“I thought ‘oh God, what have I done? Am I in trouble again? It’s probably a parking fine or something like that.

“It’s something that you treasure forever and you can tell your kids and grandkids (about). It’s something to be proud of.

“Everyone in my family sacrificed so much for me to be where I am. So whenever I win anything, or get awarded something, it really is for more than just me. That’s why I love playing in a team sport, because without everyone else you wouldn’t be the person or the player you are.”

Bright, from Killamarsh in north Derbyshire, admitted 2023 had featured a lot of ups and downs.

A knee injury suffered in March threatened to rule her out of the World Cup and meant she missed the run-in as her club won a fourth successive Women’s Super League title.

Ultimately she recovered and skippered the Lionesses in the absence of Euro 2022 captain Leah Williamson, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

“It was 50-50 making the World Cup,” she said.

“You never know how rehab is going to go, you never know how your injury is going to react. I actually had a really hard rehab – I couldn’t get rid of the swelling, the knee was taking so long to recover and to be able to stay in that mindset that I was going to make it was really hard.

“Then obviously after (the World Cup) coming back into the league, the knee flaring up again and having to take time out again. Everything comes at a price and I’d do it all again – I’d rush back for another World Cup if I needed to and pay the price later.

“Overall the year has been incredible – winning trophies, leading the girls out in a World Cup final. There are moments that come once in a lifetime and you never know when you’re going to get the next moment. That’s the thing with football, nothing’s granted, but that’s part of the chase. Hopefully 2024 brings the same, if not better.”

Bright’s England team-mate Hemp came within inches of being the hero in the final against Spain, hitting the crossbar in a match England lost 1-0.

The Manchester City star, who scored a vital equaliser in first-half injury time in the quarter-final against Colombia, said she felt “very privileged and honoured” by the MBE.

“It’s a huge achievement not only for me, but my family and everyone who loves our beautiful game. It’s been an incredible few years,” she said in a statement.

“I’d like to dedicate my MBE to everyone that has supported me in my career so far, and everyone behind the scenes for continuing to push boundaries to get women’s football to where it is today.”

Earps enjoyed a stellar year too, saving a penalty in the final to keep England in the game and helping her club Manchester United finish second in the WSL.

She also earned plaudits for calling out sportswear manufacturer Nike over its failure to produce England goalkeeper replica kits, and earlier this month won the public vote to be named the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.

The extraordinary charity work of Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow has been recognised in the New Year Honours List alongside three of England’s Women’s World Cup football stars.

Sinfield and Burrow, who were Leeds Rhinos team-mates during trophy-laden rugby league careers, have received CBEs for services to motor neurone disease awareness.

Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Lauren Hemp have also been honoured for their part in helping the Lionesses reach the World Cup final in the summer.

Bright, who captained the team in the absence of fellow defender Leah Williamson, receives an OBE while goalkeeper Earps and forward Hemp are made MBEs. England came up just short, losing 1-0 to Spain in the final in Sydney having won the European Championship in 2022.

Sinfield has raised over £15million since his friend Burrow was diagnosed with MND, an incurable and life-limiting condition, in December 2019.

Earlier this month Sinfield, 43, completed the ‘7 in 7 in 7’ challenge by completing seven ultramarathons in seven cities in as many days.

Sinfield said: “I think it is really special that Rob has been recognised again. The bravery and courage that Rob and his amazing family have shown as he is fighting MND is wonderful; to open the front door and to show the world what it’s like to live with it, he’s been incredible.”

Burrow said: “I am particularly pleased that my good friend Kevin Sinfield is also receiving a CBE. I hope Kevin and I can go to the palace together in the new year to enjoy another special occasion together again.”

Another MND fundraiser from the world of sport, Rob Wainwright, will receive an OBE. Wainwright is the founder of the Doddie Aid event which raises funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

Wainwright’s former Scotland rugby union team-mate Doddie Weir was diagnosed with MND in 2016 and died in November last year.

Wainwright said: “This is a tremendous honour, and it’s one I accept on behalf of the whole Doddie Aid community.

“Doddie was a force of nature, and I was very proud to call him a friend. Like everyone who he knew, who he inspired, I have been galvanised to do whatever I can to end MND.”

Peter Shilton, who holds the England men’s team caps record with 125 appearances between 1970 and 1990, receives a CBE for services to football and gambling harm prevention.

World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont’s knighthood has been upgraded to a Knight Grand Cross, while former England cricketer Stuart Broad receives a CBE.

Broad, 37, announced his retirement from the sport during the final Ashes Test in the summer and he bowed out in stunning fashion by hitting a six off his final ball and taking the match-winning wicket as England levelled the series at the Oval.

Marcus Trescothick, who played 76 Tests for England, will receive an OBE for services to mental ill health. He works as a mental health ambassador for the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA).

Elsewhere in football, Bill Bush, a senior advisor at the Premier League, receives a CBE. Two senior figures at anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, its chair Sanjay Bhandari and its head of development Troy Townsend, have each been made MBEs.

One of the sport’s best-loved broadcasters, former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling, was also made an MBE for services to sport, broadcasting and charity. BBC sports presenter Hazel Irvine will receive the same honour.

Howard Wilkinson, who managed Leeds to the First Division title in 1992 and briefly managed England in a caretaker capacity in 1999, has been made an OBE, as has Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom receives an MBE and former Scotland manager Alex McLeish an OBE for services to charity.

Christian Horner, the team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing, receives a CBE in a year when his team won Formula One’s constructors’ championship and Max Verstappen won the drivers’ title.

Ron Dennis, the former McLaren team principal, has been knighted for services to charity.

Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, an Olympic hockey gold medallist in 2016, becomes an OBE while race-walker Tom Bosworth has been made an MBE.

There were also MBEs for gymnasts Becky and Ellie Downie, Helen Housby, who was part of the England side which won netball gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and former BDO world darts champion Keith Deller.

Broadcaster Jeff Stelling says being made an MBE in recognition of his work with the Prostate Cancer UK charity is the “icing on the cake” for his incredible career.

Stelling is best known as the highly animated presenter of Sky’s Soccer Saturday programme, which he anchored for 25 years until stepping down at the end of last season, and for lending his first name to his colleague Chris Kamara’s often-used phrase “Unbelievable Jeff”.

But it is his role as an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, where he has walked 34 marathons and been the spearhead for raising more than £1.7million since 2016, which he takes most pride in and has now received recognition for in the New Year Honours List.

“I am very proud to have had the opportunity to do it,” he told the PA news agency.

“It’s been great to help raise awareness, but the fundraising has been done by the hundreds and hundreds of people who come and walk with me. All I do is put one foot in front of the next one and lend my name to the marches.

“People think they’re going to be pretty miserable affairs but they’re not, they’re a celebration of life. Every day doing it is a day of joy.

“I’m doing a job that most people would give an arm and a leg for. So whilst I’ve had a wonderful and fortunate career, I’m glad that the MBE is in recognition more than anything of the charity work.”

The charity’s chief executive Laura Kerby said: “We’re thrilled that the ‘unbelievable’ Jeff Stelling has been honoured. For nearly a decade, Jeff has been an incredible ambassador to Prostate Cancer UK, helping us raise crucial awareness of the disease throughout the footballing community.

“During his years in the Sky Sports Soccer Saturday studio, Jeff proudly wore our ‘Man of Men’ badge every week, inspiring football fans to learn more about this cancer which affects one in eight men, and many of them have taken an action which has saved lives.

“On behalf of Prostate Cancer UK, and all the men and families we represent, we are so proud to have Jeff on our team and thankful for his selfless efforts. This honour is richly deserved.”

Stelling himself recalled one such encounter where simply wearing the charity badge had saved a life.

“At the end of the very first day (of the first of 10 marathons from Hartlepool to Wembley in 2016) we ended up at Marske on the north-east coast, blistered, shattered, not knowing what we’d let ourselves in for and thinking we couldn’t possibly do a second day,” he said.

He was introduced to a woman who said she had seen Stelling wearing the badge, discovered what it represented and then read on to find out the symptoms of prostate cancer.

“Lo and behold her husband had all the symptoms. He went and got tested, got treatment,” Stelling said.

“She just wanted to say thank you – that just by wearing the badge you have saved my husband’s life and he will be OK.

“The cancer was so far advanced that had she not Googled it then, he would have been dead. Over the years since then, it’s a story I have had repeated to me time and time again.”

Stelling was renowned as Soccer Saturday’s presenter for the amazing statistics he always had at his fingertips.

Asked how he achieved it, he said: “It was the old ‘painting the Forth Bridge’ job. As soon as one programme finished, you started on the next one.

“I would throw myself into the statistics, probably from the Wednesday I would spend almost exclusively doing statistics and my wife thought I was the saddest man in the world.”

One stat he was particularly pleased to have up his sleeve was the fact that Gareth Jelleyman, then at Mansfield, had never been sent off. At least not until the Stags’ League Two match at Cheltenham on October 29, 2005.

“Then there it was, in the 90th minute,” Stelling recalled.

“I could use the line I’d been waiting about a year to use – ‘Gareth Jelleyman’s been sent off. Let’s hope he hasn’t thrown a wobbly’.

“What I do for a job is not a matter of life and death. I’ve had a lot of fun and my only ambition is to carry on having fun.”

Stelling did recall an instance where the essentially light-hearted programme proved more significant.

“One day I got a staggering letter. It was from a young woman who was in the depths of despair and considering ending her life, she said she was just in a long, dark tunnel and she couldn’t see a way of getting out of it,” he said.

“Her brother was a football fan, she was not at the time. He put on Soccer Saturday. She said she saw this raving buffoon swinging his arms around and shouting at the camera and coming out with all sorts of wild statistics.

“And she said it would be an achievement if next Saturday, when Jeff’s on, I’m still alive. She said the next Saturday she was still alive, and the Saturday after, and it became a sort of bizarre game between her and death, to try and reach the next week.

“She managed to climb out of that tunnel. She has gone on to be a nurse, saving other people’s lives. It was the most inspirational letter. At times (presenting the programme) you thought ‘what are we doing here? It’s fun and it’s frothy but it’s all a bit worthless’.

“But when you get a letter like that it does give extra meaning to the programme.”

Kevin Sinfield paid tribute to his “incredible” friend Rob Burrow after the former Leeds Rhinos team-mates were awarded CBEs in the New Year Honours list.

Sinfield and Burrow have raised over £15million to combat Motor Neurone Disease through a series of attritional challenges since Burrow was diagnosed in 2019.

Earlier this month, Sinfield completed his ‘7 in 7 in 7’ challenge in which he ran seven ultramarathons in seven cities across Britain and Ireland in seven days.

“I think it is really special that Rob has been recognised again,” said Sinfield.

“The bravery and courage that Rob and his amazing family have shown as he is fighting MND is wonderful; to open the front door and to show the world what it’s like to live with it, he’s been incredible.

“I think the whole family have shown us all what a great family look like and they’ve been so inspirational.”

Sinfield was awarded an MBE in 2014 in recognition of his rugby league career, and subsequently an OBE in 2021 for his fundraising work to help find a cure and help those living with MND.

Burrow said he hoped to receive his award together with Sinfield after his hopes of a joint investiture in 2021, when Burrow received an MBE for his work for the MND community, was scuppered due to illness.

Burrow said: “I am honoured to receive the CBE on behalf of the MND community.

“It is always pleasing to have another opportunity to bang the drum for the whole community and ensure that those living with MND are remembered, especially at this time of year.

“I am particularly pleased that my good friend Kevin Sinfield is also receiving a CBE.

“I hope Kevin and I can go to the palace together in the New Year to enjoy another special occasion together again.”

Following his first quest of seven marathons in seven days in 2020, Sinfield ran 101 miles in under 24 hours from Welford Road in Leicester to Headingley in 2021.

Last year’s challenge ended on the pitch at half-time during the men’s World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at Old Trafford.

Sinfield said he was “humbled” by his award which he dedicated to the MND community.

“I certainly was not expecting the award and this has never been about any recognition, this is about raising money and awareness for the MND community and for fighting for Rob so I feel very humbled by the whole thing,” added Sinfield.

“I feel like I’m the one getting singled out but it’s been a real team effort from everybody. I can’t do it on my own. I need everybody to do their bit and it’s been an incredible journey.”

Nick Smith, Ascot’s director of racing and public affairs, has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Smith, who has worked at the track since 2000, has been made a lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order, which rewards personal services to the monarch and their household.

The King and Queen enjoyed a first Royal Ascot success in June when Desert Hero – who went on to finish third in the St Leger – won the King George V Stakes, sparking joyous scenes in the winner’s enclosure.

Smith also pointed to Hukum and Westover’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes duel as another particular 2023 highlight, along with Frankie Dettori’s Royal meeting performance, headlined by a roof-raising Gold Cup success aboard Courage Mon Ami.

He said: “I’m obviously absolutely delighted and honoured. It’s been a fantastic journey working for Ascot for so long and it’s nice to have it recognised.

“It’s been a brilliant year at the racecourse with the King and Queen having a winner, Frankie Dettori lighting up Royal Ascot this year, a vintage King George and full fields for the Shergar Cup, so we really couldn’t ask for much more.”

A hallmark of the Royal meeting in recent years has been the international challenge, with over 200 overseas runners competing at the fixture since 2003.

Australian speedsters such as Choisir, Black Caviar and Nature Strip have graced the Berkshire turf and while American regular Wesley Ward was out of luck this year, George Weaver’s Crimson Advocate ensured one prize crossed the Atlantic after holding off Relief Rally in the tightest of finishes to the Queen Mary Stakes.

Smith and the Ascot team are now about to embark on their search for 2024 international contenders as they strive to make Royal Ascot even bigger and better in the future.

“We’re just about to start our overseas campaign in Australia, Japan, the United States and suchlike, looking for those horses to populate the Royal meeting. That will all start in earnest and hopefully build up to another fantastic meeting in June,” Smith added.

Other racing figures also featured on the Honours list, with Thoroughbred Breeders Association chair Julian Richmond-Watson – owner of Oaks victor Look Here – made an OBE.

Richard Linley, the British Horseracing Authority’s former senior inspector of courses, has been made an MBE, with both recognised for their services to racing.

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho cut a frustrated figure as his Sky Bet League One leaders were held to a goalless draw at struggling Exeter to make it three games without a win.

Pompey enjoyed more possession and territory, but it was Exeter that created the better chances.

Their troubles in front of goal – four goals in 15 games now – were all too evident, though, while Pompey rarely troubled Exeter goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo.

“We started OK, we played well for 15 minutes but then I thought we lost control of the game,” Mousinho said. “That was the frustration as you cannot afford to waste a half and hope something happens in the second half.

“I think we did pretty well in the second half and we were the team in the ascendancy. We had a few chances that, on another day, we put in the back of the net.

“I wasn’t worried about the second-half performance, that was fine, it was more the fact that if you do waste 45 minutes against any side you leave yourself open to drawing games and potentially losing them.

“If we had beaten Fleetwood and got the result we deserved against Bristol Rovers, then you think ‘OK, we have had a slight off night and take the point and move on’.

“But the frustration builds because we haven’t won those last two league games as well. It is naturally going to, but we have to look at the bigger picture and try and address some of the issues we had tonight.”

Exeter manager Gary Caldwell felt his side were good value for a point and created the better chances with Sonny Cox firing straight at Will Norris and Ilmari Niskanen striking the post.

“I think we have to be happy with the result, we always want to try and win games, especially at home, but we are playing top of the league, we have been on a difficult run, but we had a fantastic win on Boxing Day, so to back that up tonight, we will take it,” he said.

“Both teams had small chances in the game, I think we had slightly the better of those chances to win, but I think it was a pretty even game and we will take the point and move on to Reading on New Year’s Day.

“We have had a difficult run for many different reasons, but I believe in this team.

“We had an excellent result on Boxing Day and we took that into tonight, we tried to play on the front foot and we had a fantastic home support backing us.
“We created opportunities, but it wasn’t to be. But our work ethic, our desire to keep a clean sheet was outstanding against a very good team who are top of the league and flying high. It was a good point.”

Leeds’ hopes of automatic promotion from the Championship suffered another blow as they were beaten 1-0 by West Brom at the Hawthorns.

Grady Diangana’s 37th-minute goal was enough to give former Leeds coach Carlos Corberan back-to-back home wins and inflict a second consecutive loss on Daniel Farke’s side, who have won one of their last five games and trail second-placed Ipswich by nine points.

And they did little to suggest they could come back from Diangana’s fifth goal of the season as they failed to test West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer.

But they were perhaps unfortunate not to win a 30th-minute penalty for Cedric Kipre’s challenge on Wilfried Gnonto.

Leeds settled quicker and had the ball in the net in the 16th minute when Sam Byram swept home Joel Piroe’s cross on the volley, but the full-back had strayed a yard offside.

West Brom were denied the opening goal in the 23rd minute with their first serious attack.

Djed Spence cleared Kipre’s low volley off the line from Alex Mowatt’s corner before Okay Yokuslu lifted the loose ball over the bar.

Yokuslu then had some defending to do as he blocked Gnonto’s shot at the other end.

Leeds were denied what could have been a spot-kick – with Italy forward Gnonto was at the centre of the action.

Ethan Ampadu chipped the ball forward and Gnonto was on to it in a flash only for Kipre to grab him around the waist. The 20-year-old fell to the ground as he shaped to shoot, but referee Graham Scott waved play on.

West Brom punished the visitors by taking the lead in the 37th minute.

Spotting the intelligent run of Jed Wallace, Yokuslu split the defence for the Baggies captain to slide the ball across goal, and although Diangana’s first shot was blocked by Joe Rodon, his second attempt flew into the net.

West Brom started the second half brighter but they had a let-off from a free-kick when Rodon glanced a header well over the crossbar with Palmer committing himself but failing to make contact.

Leeds wasted a half chance when Gnonto ballooned a loose ball high and wide from 25 yards after Spence’s cross was blocked.

Within seconds Spence’s replacement Jaidon Anthony had the chance to equalise but he could not keep his effort down.

Yokuslu was in the right place again defensively when he nodded away Crysencio Summerville’s curling shot.

The Baggies went close to a second goal when John Swift picked out the run of fellow substitute Adam Reach, whose attempted lob forced a falling save from Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

Northampton made it two wins from their last three League One games with a 2-1 victory over Lincoln at Sincil Bank.

Goals either side of half-time from Jon Guthrie and Kieron Bowie were the difference as Jon Brady’s side inflicted a third straight defeat on Michael Skubala’s Imps.

The visitors opened the scoring after half an hour when Guthrie out jumped Imps goalkeeper Lukas Jensen to head into an empty net from a Marc Leonard cross.

Lincoln began the second half brightly as they went in search of an equaliser with Jack Burroughs denied by Max Thompson in the Cobblers’ goal.

At the other end, Northampton continued to pose a threat on the break and with 58 minutes gone Bowie’s left-footed shot from the edge of the area doubled the visitors’ lead.

Just two minutes later Timothy Eyoma’s close-range header from an Ethan Hamilton corner promised to set up a thrilling finish.

However, any hope Lincoln had of an unlikely comeback ended when Paudie O’Connor was shown a straight red card for a deliberate elbow as Town held on for all three points.

Inter Milan dropped points for only the fourth time this season as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw away to Genoa on Friday.

Marko Arnautovic headed the Serie A leaders in front late in the first half, but Radu Dragusin headed the hosts level in added time before the break and Inter could not get back in front as Genoa threatened a winner in the second half.

The result leaves Inter five points clear of Juventus who host Roma on Saturday, while Genoa remain 13th.

Inter threatened just a minute into the match as Arnautovic found the run of Henrikh Mkhitaryan to set him through on goal, but the Armenian could not get his shot on target.

Josep Martinez clawed away a Marcus Thuram header before the match was held up at the quarter-hour mark, with the number of pyrotechnics being set off leaving a thick smoke cloud over the pitch.

Play eventually resumed after an eight-minute delay and Inter quickly reasserted their dominance, with Arnautovic setting up a chance for Carlos Augusto, and then shooting wide himself after the Brazilian’s effort was blocked.

The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute as Genoa struggled to deal with a long throw into the box.

Nicolo Barella’s deflected strike was pushed on to the post by Martinez, but bounced up into the path of Arnautovic who could hardly miss with an open goal in front of him.

Genoese appeals for a push by Yann Bisseck on Kevin Strootman in the build-up fell on deaf ears.

Genoa had been decidedly second best up to that point but responded well to the setback. Caleb Ekuban saw his header saved as the first half moved into stoppage time, but they drew level in the seventh of the nine added minutes.

Albert Gudmundsson sent in an outswining corner and Dragusin got great power on his header to beat Yann Sommer low to his right.

Genoa carried that momentum into the second half as they put up a much better fight and Inter grew increasingly frustrated.

Genoa were screaming for a penalty early in the second half when Johan Vasquez’s header was blocked by Bisseck, but the defender’s arms were by his side and the officials showed no interest.

Inter’s best chance of a winner came in the 67th minute when Mkhitaryan chipped a free-kick into the box and Francesco Acerbi got his head to the ball, but Martinez got down smartly to save.

At the other end, Vasquez forced a save from Sommer who then spilled the ball, offering hope to Dragusin who was harshly booked for colliding with the goalkeeper as he challenged for the loose ball.

Dragusin had a late chance to win it but headed wide as Inter were forced to settle for a point.