Paulo Counago headed home from close range to ensure Ipswich took a point from their Coca-Cola Championship clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Portman Road.

The Tractor Boys had trailed to Steve Watson's opening goal inhe 52nd minute with the veteran midfielder having earlier squandered two good chances in a first half which was dominated by the visitors.

But Spanish striker Counago equalised for Ipswich in the 66th minute after Wednesday goalkeeper Lee Grant had parried Gareth McAuley's initial attempt.

The Owls had the best of the early chances and came close to opening the scoring in the eighth minute when Francis Jeffers cut the ball back to Watson inside the penalty area, but he could only screw his shot wide.

Moments later Watson delivered a dangerous corner from the right which was met by the head of Richard Wood but he was unable to direct the ball at goal.

Ipswich responded positively as Jonathan Walters lashed a long-range shot at goal and Michael Gray had a similar effort for the Owls.

The lively Walters called Grant into action in the 24th minute, though, as he unleashed a fierce left-footed drive from 30 yards which brought a smart save from the Owls custodian.

Watson was presented with a second opportunity to break the deadlock in the 36th minute, but he snatched at a shot from close range as Wednesday failed to make a spell of concerted pressure count.

The visitors were then handed a chance from a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area a minute before half-time but Sean McAllister curled his shot over goalkeeper Richard Wright's crossbar.

Watson made up for earlier misses when he finally put Wednesday ahead seven minutes after the interval following good work down the left flank by Jermaine Johnson.

The Owls winger picked out Watson with a superb cross and he struck a clinical left-footed shot past Wright and into the top-left corner from close range.

Ipswich pressed for an equaliser and Danny Haynes' shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 64th minute was brilliantly saved by Grant who tipped the ball round the post.

The Tractor Boys were level two minutes later when Tommy Miller's corner from the right was met by McAuley whose header was parried by Grant, but Counago was on hand to nod the ball into the top-left corner off the rebound from inside the six-yard box.

Jeffers went close in the 72nd minute but he was unable to control his shot from inside the penalty area and lifted the ball over the bar before Ipswich substitute Jonathan Stead also fired over for the home side five minutes later.

Midfielder Owen Garvan struck a free-kick into the wall three minutes from time but that was the closest either side came to a winner as both teams settled for a point.

Teams

Ipswich Richard Wright, Bruce, Campo (Volz 59), McAuley,Thatcher, Haynes, Norris, Miller (Garvan 78), Walters,Lisbie (Stead 67), Counago.

Subs Not Used: Supple, Quinn.

Booked: Campo.

Goals: Counago 66.

Sheff Wed Grant, Buxton, Wood, Beevers, Spurr, McAllister,Boden, Watson, Gray (Modest 89), Johnson, Jeffers.

Subs Not Used: Jameson, Lekaj, Liversidge, Wragg.

Goals: Watson 52.

Att: 22,213

Ref: Graham Horwood (Bedfordshire).