Midfielder Alan Quinn hands old Blades pals a point
A MOMENT of madness by Alan Quinn in the last minute handed his former Sheffield
United team-mates a point in this game of two penalties.
Ipswich were poised for a third straight home win that would have taken them
into the top six, just below the Blades, thanks to Tommy Miller’s first half
success from the spot.
But then midfield substitute Quinn, who joined the Tractor Boys from Bramall
Lane for £400,000 last January, inexplicably raised an arm to an unthreatening
James Beattie effort.
The grateful Beattie duly snatched the ball and sent Ipswich keeper Richard
Wright the wrong way with the penalty to pinch a point.
Ipswich boss Jim Magilton moaned: “I don’t understand why Alan did it. He has
said sorry — what can you do?
“You’re thinking it’s a 1-0 win and you tuck it under your belt, but then we
give away two points. It is very disappointing for us and I think Sheffield
United will go away more pleased than myself.” His side created most of the
openings in the first half, with David Norris firing inches wide and a Pablo
Counago 20-yard sizzler rebounding to safety off the inside of a post.
They finally got their noses in front four minutes from the break when Matt
Kilgallon handled Jon Stead’s cross. Miller stepped up to notch his third
goal of the season and preserve his proud record of never having missed a
penalty.
Kilgallon almost made amends in the 64th minute when he got a meaty header
to Brian Howard’s corner. But Ipswich keeper Richard Wright produced a stunning
reflex save.
And when it looked as if United’s persistence would go unrewarded, Quinn
helped them out. Blades manager Kevin Blackwell said: “I think we got what
we deserved. The set of lads that I’ve got just never give in.”
Tony Rushmer (News of the World)
