Tom’s at it again for Town...
TOM Lawrence continued his magical loan spell at Ipswich Town but it was Reading who returned from Suffolk relieved to rescue a late point.
A double from Lawrence made it eight in eight games as he continued his mission to keep Ipswich away from the relegation zone and ease some of the pressure off manager Mick McCarthy.
But this was far from a oneman show as a vastly-improved Ipswich bossed third-placed Reading, despite twice losing the lead in a thrilling draw at Portman Road.
The Royals remain on the coattails of the top two but boss Jaap Stam dismissed any notion of an automatic promotion spot.
“I don’t think we were ever in the race for the top two,” he said. “We are just beginning to build something this season after finishing 17th last year.
“If we have a chance to achieve something we should go for it, but I was never under any illusion that we are in the race for the top two against Newcasthe tle, who have spent £60million to £70million, and Brighton who have worked towards this for three years.”
As one manager looked to dampen down enthusiasm, McCarthy went into the match with growing speculation around his future, not helped by a dire midweek display against Derby.
But a bright first half got the reward it deserved in the 43rd minute with a goal made in Wales and celebrated in Suffolk.
Emyr Huws, a surprise deadline-day loan signing from Cardiff City, broke up a Reading attack on the edge of his own penalty box before releasing the advancing Lawrence who ran at the heart of the defence before finding space and firing a shot in off the underside of the bar.
With their first real chance of the game, Reading levelled in 52nd minute after another loanee, Jordon Mutch, produced a calm finish after good work by Lewis Grabban.
The home side refused to crumble and they regained the lead in deadly fashion when David McGoldrick’s through ball from inside his own half dissected the heart of the Reading defence allowing Lawrence to run through and slot the ball under Ali Al-Habsi.
With Huws and the equally impressive Toumani Diagouraga tiring, Reading snatched an equaliser with 11 minutes left when Jordan Obita let fly from 25 yards after a half-cleared corner.
Stam added: “My main frustration was how we conceded the goals – it makes it very hard when you have to equalise twice. But it was an important point for us.”
McCarthy, who once again laughed off any notion of Leicester loanee Lawrence signing permanently in the summer, said: “It was certainly a positive reaction from Tuesday night when we were comprehensively beaten.
“That performance was unacceptable and unpalatable but we were completely different. I made a few changes and the new faces have helped liven up the place and gave us all a spark.
“Not everything we touched turned to gold in the transfer window, but it is great to get people in who want to be here – whether they are just starting out in their career or looking to resurrect it.
“The only way we can make it a pleasant place is with our performances and I thought we were great.”