Ipswich Fights Back to Draw with Middlesbrough in Thrilling Championship Clash
A controversial late penalty rescued a 2-2 draw for Ipswich Town against promotion rivals Middlesbrough, propelling Kieran McKenna's side back into the top two of the Championship table. Middlesbrough appeared poised to level on points with Ipswich after Tommy Conway tapped in from close range in the 64th minute, restoring their lead after David Strelec's opener was equalized by Kasey McAteer. However, a penalty awarded to Ipswich allowed Jack Clarke to level the score with just three minutes remaining. The penalty came after George Hirst went down in the box following minimal contact from Adilson Malanda. Referee Jarred Gillett promptly pointed to the spot, and Clarke converted it confidently. Hirst commented on the incident to Sky Sports, stating, "I don't think that's the point [not getting there], whether I'm getting there or not, you can't pull me back." Ipswich entered the match outside of the automatic promotion places due to Millwall's 2-0 victory over QPR earlier, but the draw reestablished them in the top two based on goal difference, with four games remaining and a fixture in hand. On the other hand, Middlesbrough's chances for automatic promotion dimmed as they extended their winless streak to seven games. Kim Hellberg, Boro's manager, expressed concerns over their position, stating, "It will be difficult to get second; that is simple math to do." Kieran McKenna noted that while they dominated the first half, they struggled defensively in crucial moments and acknowledged the tough schedule ahead. Kim Hellberg remarked on the match, saying, "Over 90 minutes we were better than them and should've won the game. The penalty, I have seen it often... If that was enough for a penalty, there would be many, many pens." Both teams now look ahead to their next fixtures as they navigate the final stretch of the season.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-04-19