Report: Town 1-1 Middlesbrough
By Aston
February 6 2010
Town recorded their 15th draw of the season earlier today, drawing 1-1 with Middlesbrough despite taking an early lead.
Town's new loaning signings got their debuts off to a great start, inside 30 seconds David Healy had crossed low into the box, it took a slight deflection which sent into the path of Murphy who slotted the ball home for his first senior goal this April 2008, also against Middlesbrough.
The first half was mostly controlled by Town, Jon Walters, who was making an unexpected start, forced Danny Coyne into a smart save in the 11th minute with an effort from 20-yards.
Daryl Murphy came close to adding a second goal for Town in the 29th minute, volleying into the arms Coyne.
Chris Killen had a bicycle kick saved by Lee-Barrett in the 32nd minute as Middlesbrough started to forge a way into the game.
David Wheater went close to scoring in the 36th minute, nearly heading a cross from David Healy into his net.
Wheater may have done his best to score for Town, David Healy did Wheater's job by standing in the path of goalbound header from Gareth McAuley as the first half drew to a close with Town leading
The visitors came flying out of the traps at the start of the second half, Stephen McManus landing a shot on top the Town goal.
Murphy could have put Town two-nil up but failed to beat Danny Coyne with his overhead kick. Gareth McAuley headed wide from a Leadbitter free-kick.
Lee-Barrett was forced to sprint across his line to tip a Chris Killen effort round the post to keep Town 1-0 up, only for Middlesbrough to draw level from the resulting corner, Wheater climbing above McAuley to head home. Town manager Roy Keane reacted to that by replacing Healy with Pablo Counago.
The visitors stepped up the tempo again following their goal, coming close to a second, Justin Hoyte going close and Lee Miller only being denied by Delaney on the goal line.
Owen Garvan came on for David Wright with 12 minutes to go, with Jack Colback moving into the left back birth. Stead replaced Daryl Murphy in the 84th minute as Town tried to snatch all three points in the final minutes but could never really trouble the Boro defence.
The point leaves Town just 1 point above Reading who beat Doncaster Rovers in the evening kick-off.
Ipswich Town: Lee-Barrett; Rosenior, McAuley, Delaney, D Wright (Garvan 78); Walters, Leadbitter, Norris, Colback; D Murphy (Stead 84), Healy (Counago 62). Substitutes: B Murphy, Edwards, Balkestein, Peters.
Middlesbrough: Coyne; Naughton, Wheater, McManus, Grounds; Flood, Hoyte, O'Neil, Taylor (Franks 50); Miller; Killen (Lita 80). Substitutes: Steele, Walker, Bennett, McMahon, Williams.
Referee: Mr K Hill (Hertfordshire)
Attendance: 21,243.
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(And with Norwich and Leeds coming up, I aint looking forward to May, a summer of abuse to follow!!!)
