Key Takeaways
- Jack Clarke struck an 87th-minute penalty to rescue a 2-2 draw for Ipswich Town against Middlesbrough.
- The spot-kick, given after Adilson Malanda pulled George Hirst, pushed Ipswich into second place on goal difference.
- Middlesbrough are now winless in seven matches and sit fifth, three points behind their hosts.
Ipswich Town climbed to second in the Championship after Jack Clarke netted a late penalty to earn a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough at Portman Road.
Referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot three minutes from time when he ruled that Adilson Malanda had hauled down substitute George Hirst inside the area. Clarke sent Sol Brynn the wrong way to level the scores and keep Kieran McKenna’s side firmly in the automatic-promotion race.
Middlesbrough, chasing their first victory since early March, struck first when David Strelec swept home Alan Browne’s cross midway through the opening half. The lead lasted only five minutes; Iván Azón’s clever back-heel released Kasey McAteer, who curled a low shot into the far corner.
Christian Walton twice denied Strelec before the break, while Brynn produced athletic saves to keep out Jaden Philogene and Azón as the teams traded chances.
Tommy Conway looked to have sealed the points for the visitors on 64 minutes, tapping in after Walton blocked Callum Brittain’s drive. Yet Ipswich refused to fold. When Hirst went down under Malanda’s challenge late on, Clarke held his nerve from 12 yards to spark wild celebrations along the touchline.
McKenna praised his side’s spirit. “We kept pushing and deserved something from the game. Now we focus on the next one,” he said.
Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg took heart despite the winless run. “We created the clearer openings. A draw here is not a disaster, but we need to turn performances into wins,” he admitted.