Ipswich 2 – 2 Middlesbrough

A controversial late penalty rescued a 2-2 draw for Ipswich against promotion rivals Middlesbrough to move Kieran McKenna’s side back into the top two of the Championship table.

Boro looked to be moving level on points with Ipswich after Tommy Conway tapped home from close range (64) to restore the lead after David Strelec’s opener was cancelled out by Kasey McAteer, only for Jack Clarke’s penalty to draw Ipswich level with three minutes to go.

The penalty was awarded after George Hirst went down in the area despite minimal contact from Adilson Malanda. Referee Jarred Gillett did not hesitate when pointing to the spot, with Clarke dispatching it confidently moments later.

“I don’t think that’s the point [not getting there], whether I’m getting there or not, you can’t pull me back,” Hirst told Sky Sports. “Whether I get there or not, it’s a silly mistake. It’s a penalty.”

Ipswich came into the fixture outside of the automatic promotion places after Millwall’s 2-0 win against QPR on Saturday. But the point at home moves them back into the top two on goal difference, with four games to play and a fixture in hand on their promotion rivals.

Meanwhile, Boro’s hopes of securing automatic promotion now fade after squandering two crucial points late on and seeing their winless run extended to seven games. They remain in fifth place, six points ahead of Wrexham in seventh, with the play-offs now beckoning.

The managers

Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna:

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Middlesbrough’s Kim Hellberg:

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