Ipswich Moves Back into Second Place with Late Penalty Equalizer Against Middlesbrough

A disputed late penalty allowed Ipswich to salvage a 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough, elevating Kieran McKenna's team back into the Championship's top two. The visitors had taken the lead through David Strelec, but Kasey McAteer equalized, and Tommy Conway then restored Boro's advantage. However, a penalty was awarded to Ipswich after a minimal contact incident involving George Hirst and Adilson Malanda, which Jack Clarke confidently converted. The result moves Ipswich back into the automatic promotion spots, albeit on goal difference, while Middlesbrough's chances of finishing in the top two have diminished. Boro boss Kim Hellberg acknowledged the difficulty of securing second place, given the current math, and Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna expressed satisfaction with the point, considering his team's performance.