Tractor Boys stall in opener
Lilywhites celebrate success at Portman Road
Last Updated: August 9, 2008 5:45pm
Whaley: Winning goal
Ipswich went down 2-1 at home to Preston on the opening day of the Championship season.
The Tractor Boys lost just once at Portman Road during the last campaign and would have hoped to repeat those heroics this time around.
They took an early lead through Kevin Lisbie, but then saw Paul McKenna and Simon Whaley snatch the points for the visitors.
Ipswich opened the scoring just two minutes in when striker Lisbie nodded home a Danny Haynes cross, while the striker could have doubled his tally on 15 minutes but drilled his shot tamely in the arms of visiting goalkeeper Andy Longeran.
The Lilywhites equalised thanks to a 25-yard pile-driver from skipper McKenna on 21 minutes.
North End then secured the points in the 33rd minute when Whaley tapped home from close range after he latched on to a Billy Jones cross from the right.
They could have been further ahead but summer signing Barry Nicholson fired wide from a Neil Mellor cross.
Positive
Mellor also had a shot saved by Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright, who was making his first appearance since returning to his hometown club in the summer.
The hosts began the second half in positive manner, with Pablo Counago firing narrowly over from 30 yards after a Lisbie lay-off.
Owen Garvan had another effort in the 52nd minute but his placed shot was easily saved by Longeran.
As the rain fell on Portman Road, Ipswich camped out in the Preston half in search of an equaliser and in the 66th minute centre-back Tommy Smith drove wide from 30-yards out.
Fellow debutant Pim Balkestein saw an effort from the edge of the box deflected over, while substitute Alan Lee shot just wide in the 75th minute.
Despite their pressure Ipswich could not break down a stubborn Preston rearguard action, although the visitors survived a 90th minute penalty appeal when Lisbie went down under a challenge from Callum Davidson.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
