Late Clarke penalty boosts Ipswich's top-two bid
Jack Clarke's last-gasp penalty salvaged a 2-2 draw for Ipswich Town to boost its automatic promotion hopes and damage Middlesbrough's top-two aspirations.
Kim Hellberg's side seemed destined to move level on points with Ipswich, only for Clarke to convert in the 87th minute after Adilson Malanda was adjudged to have pulled on George Hirst's shirt.
The draw moved Ipswich – which has a game in hand – into second and above Millwall on goal difference, with Kieran McKenna's team a further point clear of Southampton and three ahead of Hellberg's team.
Boro silenced the home crowd 25 minutes in when Aidan Morris' gorgeous pass released Alan Browne, who hammered across the face of goal for David Strelec to tap in.
The visitor's lead was short-lived as, just five minutes later, Ivan Azon produced a back-heel for Kasey McAteer to fizz into the bottom-right corner from the edge of the area.
Darnell Furlong spurned a glorious chance before half-time, while Azor Matusiwa cleared off the line when Browne found Alex Gilbert early into the second half.
Sol Brynn pushed over a ferocious Azon drive before Callum Brittain worked with Strelec down the right, and despite Christian Walton denying the full-back, Conway was on hand to sweep into an empty net in the 64th minute.
Walton then denied both Jeremy Sarmiento and Strelec, before Clarke tucked into the bottom-left corner to claim a vital point after what appeared to be a soft penalty for Malanda's apparent tug on Hirst's shirt.
