A controversial late penalty saved Ipswich from a 2-2 draw with promotion rivals Middlesbrough and returned Kieran McKenna’s side to the top two spots in the Championship standings.
After David Strelek’s opening goal was canceled out by Casey McAteer, Tommy Conway’s close-range goal (64 points) restored Boro’s lead and looked level on points with Ipswich, but Jack Clarke’s penalty with three minutes left saw Ipswich level.
Despite having minimal contact with Adilson Maranda, a penalty was awarded after George Hurst went down in the area. Referee Jared Gillett pointed to the spot without hesitation, and Clark confidently pointed to the spot moments later.
“I don’t think that (not reaching the target) is the problem. Whether I get there or not, it’s not going to pull me back,” Hurst told Sky Sports. “Whether it gets to the goal or not, it’s a stupid mistake. It’s a penalty.”
Ipswich qualified from outside the automatic promotion bracket after Millwall’s 2-0 win over QPR on Saturday. However, the points won at home put them back in the top two on goal difference, with only four games left and a matchup with their promotion rivals decided.
Meanwhile, Boro’s hopes of securing automatic promotion were dashed as they squandered two crucial points late on and their winless run stretched to seven games.
Boro manager Kim Helberg told Sky Sports: “It’s going to be difficult to finish second. It’s simple math.” They remain in fifth place, six points behind seventh-placed Wrexham, with the play-offs now underway.
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Jack Clarke scored a controversial penalty awarded for a foul on George Hurst to put Ipswich level with Middlesbrough
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Middlesbrough regained the lead against Ipswich midway through the second half with a stunning goal from Tommy Conway
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Ipswich responded to Middlesbrough’s opening goal and quickly equalized within five minutes.
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Kieran McKenna from Ipswich:
“It was a great game and we were the better team in the first half. We didn’t defend the box in the blink of an eye and we weren’t clinical.
“The first half was really good and we were the much better team in the game, but the momentum completely tilted.
“They grew in confidence and we hung on. We had our ups and downs, but we had the upper hand most of the time.”
“We weren’t playing for points. We didn’t score in the first half, but when we were down 2-1, we would have taken it then. We were swinging to win, and you’ll see that at the end. Both teams were looking to win.”
“We’re now heading into the next game. We know we’re in a good position, but the schedule is tough. We have to play three away games in the next six days. It’s going to take a lot of effort. We know we’re in a good position.”
Kim Helberg of Middlesbrough:
“Throughout the 90 minutes we were better than them and should have won the game. The penalty, I saw it well and he puts it in the pen. What’s there to say?”
“There was contact and he’ll be able to defend a little bit. He’s taking a risk, but if it’s enough to get a penalty, it’s going to really pen a lot.
“Not yet. We played a good game and I want to be very proud of that game. I think we were great. We played a lot of great players and a tough team.
“I’m proud to be able to play a game like this. It’s tough to do here.”
