10-MAN UNITED GO DOWN AT IPSWICH

10-MAN UNITED GO DOWN AT IPSWICH

United edged out at Portman Road...

IPSWICH 2 (Scotland 18, Smith 83), UNITED 1 (Snodgrass 77)

Ipswich: Fulop, McAuley, Smith, Peters, Kennedy, Leadbitter, Eastman (Priskin 52), Edwards (Brown 83), Livermore, Townsend, Scotland (Wickham 81). Subs: Delaney, Murphy,  Priskin, Brown, Healy, Murray. 

United: Higgs (Brown  63), Bruce, Naylor, Collins, McCartney, Howson, Faye, Kilkenny (Watt 74), Johnson (Becchio 74), Snodgrass, Somma. Subs: Gradel, Clayton, Hughes, Nunez.

Referee: K Hill

Booked: Leadbitter (Ipswich), Bruce, Naylor, Collins (Leeds)

Sent-off: Bruce (Leeds)

Att 23,175       

United manager Simon Grayson rang the changes, following the 6-4 defeat at home to Preston, and there were returns for Richard Naylor, Neil Kilkenny, and Robert Snodgrass, and a debut for Amdy Faye in the middle of the park. Alex Bruce moved to right back, and Snodgrass played in a role behind Davide Somma.

Ipswich also shuffled with Darren O'Dea being pulled out of the starting line-up less than 30 minutes before kick-off, prompting a late call for Tommy Smith.

Jason Scotland scores for Ipswich

With both sides tasting defeat in midweek, it was something of a cagey opening 10 minutes or so. Both sides won corners - Naylor heading a Kilkenny corner against a home defender - but neither team established any early superiority.

There were early suggestions that Snodgrass could cause Ipswich problems with his movement, though, in what was a free role behind striker. The Scot had ghosted into the box on 17 minutes when the home side, allowing Jonny Howson room at the far post, made heavy work of clearing a cross from the left.

But the home side were in front 60 seconds later. Jake Livermore advanced from a seemingly harmless position in the centre of the field before threading an incisive ball through to Jason Scotland who escaped the Leeds back-line before rounding Shane Higgs to score.

When United responded with a corner, Naylor again got up well but his downward header fell to Somma, who had his back to goal and was unable to turn before Ipswich cleared.

United had a shot on 32 minutes when Jonny Howson let fly from his distance, but his effort was over the top.

As the game headed past the half-hour, there had been little in the way of entertainment, and had it not been for the 3,000 travelling fans, the atmosphere at Portman Road would have been extremely flat.

Robert Snodgrass levels

United's efforts going forward saw Faye have a header cleared from a KIlkenny corner, while the Aussie also tested Marton Fulop with a strike from outside of the area. Fulop also had to come off his line when Somma looked to get on the end of a ball forward.

Leeds did enjoy more of the ball as the game edged towards half-time, but both Naylor and Alex Bruce had to make a couple of decisive blocks in stoppage time after the home side capitalised on some sloppy play.

United started the second period as they had ended the first, playing decent football, but when Howson fired in a low cross from the right it was just far in front of Somma to make a connection. Somma did have a half-chance on 54 minutes when the ball broke to him kindly on the edge of the six-yard box, but as he twisted and turned, he was crowded out before he could shoot.

At the other end, Scotland wasted a great chance to put the hosts 2-0 up when he blazed over from close range after a free-kick found its way through to the striker.

The game continued to ebb and flow, and Bradley Johnson tried his luck on the hour-mark with a free-kick which went over the top.

Shortly after the hour when Ipswich threatened again, Gareth McAuley heading wide, Shane Higgs had to be helped from the pitch after suffering a leg injury while stretching for the ball. He was replaced by Jason Brown.

Chances were still few and far between though, and entertainment was thin on the ground for both sets of fans. Leeds were domiant in terms of possession, although lacking in penetration in the final third, while Ipswich were at their most threatening on the counter having broken play up.

Tommy Smith scores Ipswich second

United skipper Naylor found himself in the book for a foul on Livermore, and he then got a decisive block on a shot from Andros Townsend. When Ipswich came forward again, Brown made a good first save in a Leeds shirt to deny Scotland. Tamas Priskin also shot wide for the home side.

Grayson made his final two changes with just over 15 minutes left, Luciano Becchio and Sanchez Watt being introduced to proceedings in a bid to find an equaliser.

And it was Watt's immediate involvement that led to United levelling. The youngster showed tenacity to pick up a pass at the far post and steered it back across goal for an unmarked Snodgrass to hammer home. 

Moments later, United were dealt a major blow when Bruce was dismissed for a second yellow card, after being adjudged to have committed a foul wide on the touchline. Despite the defender's protestations, he received his marching orders.

And Ipswich were back in front on 83 minutes. A poor corner was cleared by Leeds, but when the ball came into the box, late replacement Smith planted a header firmly beyond Brown to make it 2-1. A clear foul on Naylor as the ball was swung in was missed by the referee, allowing Smith a clear sight on goal.

It was harsh on United. While the home side had created the better chances, there had been little to choose between either side in what was largely an in-inspiring contest.

As it was Leeds re-shaped slightly and pushed forward in search of an equaliser. That did leave more space for the home side to look to exploit, but five minutes of added time gave United hope that a second goal could be found.

But there was to be no late drama as Ipswich took the honours from the contest.

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