Neil Warnock has transformed Sheffield United into a fighting force after they
surprised promotion-chasing Ipswich with a battling draw at Portman Road.
The Blades fell behind in the 45th minute. Michael Brown needlessly handled a
low driven cross from James Scowcroft that was flying away from goal. A spot
kick was awarded and David Johnson drilled his shot past Simon Tracey who dived
the wrong way.
In the 54th minute Sheffield drew level with a soft goal. A long wind-assisted
clearance from Tracey flew over the head of sweeper Tony Mowbray.
It was left to John McGreal to deal with the danger but he let the ball bounce
and Marcus Bent showed good skill to gain control and lob over the head of
advancing goalkeeper Richard Wright.
There was no further scoring although Ipswich had by far the better of the
play but were held up by solid central defenders Lee Sandford and Shaun Murphy.
Sheffield attacks had been few and far between before the interval with Bent
having a shot deflected for a corner by Mowbray in the 31st minute after a
positive run by Brown. Murphy went close with a header from Bobby Ford's flag
kick that followed.
Ipswich went close after eight minutes when Tracey was unable to hold a
25-yard drive from Mark Venus but Richard Naylor fouled the keeper as he
followed in.
On the hour Tracey saved one-handed from Johnson and Ipswich staged a late
rally. A run by Johnson created an opening for Scowcroft at the far post but he
could not control the ball as he slid in.
A lively match produced two bookings, Murphy for a foul on Johnson after 55
minutes and Scowcroft for a late challenge on Wayne Quinn four minutes from the
end.
Teams
Ipswich: R. Wright, Croft, McGreal, Mowbray,
Venus (Stockwell 81), Clapham, Holland, J. Wright, Scowcroft,
Johnson, Naylor (Axeldal 81).
Subs Not Used: Wilnis, Salmon, Logan.
Booked: Scowcroft.
Goals: Johnson 45 pen.
Sheff Utd: Tracey, Kozluk, Murphy, Sandford, Quinn, Devlin,
Woodhouse, Brown, Ford, Katchouro (Ribeiro 46), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Hamilton, Gysbrechts, Smeets, Duke.
Booked: Murphy.
Goals: Bent 54.
Att: 17,350.
Ref: A Butler (Sutton-in-Ashfield).
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