ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP: AT THE 10th time of asking, Ipswich were within touching distance of delivering Roy Keane a Championship victory, only for Richard Wright to fluff a simple catch from a corner in stoppage time and allow Chris Morgan to mark Sheffield United’s 120th birthday with an equaliser.
Keane’s basement dwellers looked ripe for another defeat when Darius Henderson gave United an early lead, but a fine goal by Jon Walters and a fortuitous one by Grant Leadbitter put them in front. Gareth McAuley added to the lead before a second goal by Henderson, who sidefooted home with 13 minutes remaining, led to pressure which culminated in Wright’s error.
Ipswich’s troubles started with a poor clearance by McAuley, which allowed Ched Evans a shot. McAuley sought to redeem his error by putting his body in the way, only for the ball to balloon into the air. Henderson challenged a hesitant Wright for the bouncing ball and must have been surprised to be allowed a free header from three yards.
Ipswich drew level midway through the first half as Walters scored with the deftest of flicks. Fortune favoured Ipswich when they scored again. There seemed little danger but Leadbitter’s tame shot hit the back of the net and McAuley scored with a header in the 70th minute. Henderson, though, halved the deficit on 77 minutes before Morgan pounced on Wright’s mistake in injury time to keep the pressure on Keane.
Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland international Leon Best scored the equaliser in the 67th minute and then grabbed an 84th-minute winner to seal a remarkable fightback for Coventry to win 3-2 and end Watford’s seven-match unbeaten run.
Guardian Service
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