Ipswich manager Paul Jewell praised Grant Leadbitter after drawing with Middlesbrough, while Tony Mowbray defended his tactics.
Mowbray insists counter-attacking tactics are not a crime
Ipswich manager Paul Jewell praised Grant Leadbitter after the midfielder rescued a point against Middlesbrough, whose boss, Tony Mowbray, was left to defend counter-attacking tactics.
Former Sunderland man Leadbitter missed a penalty in Tuesday 1-1 draw at Portman Road, but made amends by scoring his fourth goal in as many appearances.
Lukas Jutkiewicz had put Boro ahead in the 63rd minute before Leadbitter secured a point for the hosts with a blistering shot from 30 yards.
The draw keeps Middlesbrough in fifth in the Championship, with Jewell's side 15th in the table.
And the Ipswich manager said: "Grant's been terrific of late. He looks like he's got goals in him and he's been playing well.
"After missing the penalty, he showed real character to take the shot on. It was a great goal and a tough technique, coming across his body like that."
Ipswich had a golden chance to take the lead when referee Keith Stroud pointed to the spot, after a foul by Julio Arca on Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
Powerful
However, Leadbitter's shot was well-saved by goalkeeper Jason Steele and, five minutes later, Boro took the lead.
Justin Hoyte played the ball across the face of goal and substitute Jutkiewicz flicked a close-range effort past goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.
Ipswich equalised 11 minutes later when Lee Martin teed up Leadbitter and the midfielder unleashed a low, powerful drive that arrowed into the bottom left-hand corner.
Boro boss Tony Mowbray said: "We came to counter-attack. Ipswich had won five on the bounce at home so we didn't come here to be over-expansive.
"We've won a lot of games on the road by trying to do that, being solid and not giving many goals away - as teams do at The Riverside. It's not a crime to do that.
"The home team have to try and break you down, but we restricted Ipswich to very few chances.
"We probably had the best opportunities and our dressing room was disappointed to only get a point."
