WAY OUT WES
Burns steals in to win it for Tractor Boys
KIERAN McKENNA feels Ipswich’s ability to manage the game will stand them in good stead after they edged a dramatic top-of-the-table clash thanks to Wes Burns’ late header.
Town led through first Marcus Harness and then substitute Freddie Ladapo, the latter within a minute of his introduction from the bench, but were pegged back on both occasions by Colby Bishop penalties.
Burns headed the winner just a minute after the second equaliser and McKenna said: “We thoroughly deserved the three points, complete domination of the first half and it was good to get the win and points.
“I was really pleased how we responded. We spoke a lot about it over the last couple of weeks about game management and about our resilience in difficult moments and I thought we did that really very well.
I thought we managed after 3-2 very, very well and I was proud of our response to the goals.
“Of course you’re going to have setbacks, but that happens, and to have two penalties against us is quite bizarre, but that’s when you have to dig deep in your performance and your spirit and we managed that.
“It was a really good game and I’m proud of the performance and proud of the players and staff.”
Conor Chaplin hit the post and Leif Davis’ shot was deflected over before the Tractor Boys took the lead through Harness.
Bishop converted after Christian Walton brought down Dane Scarlett, and again after Sam Morsy’s foul on Roman Curtis five minutes after
Ladapo’s goal. But Burns had the final word and Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley said: “The overriding emotion is disappointment.
“We come away scoring two goals and you hope to come away with something. I thought it was a very competitive game.
“I felt both sets of supporters, for 30,000 people to be here for a tier three game, this doesn’t happen anywhere else in the world so I think it’s a great advert for English football and the football pyramid.
“We are disappointed of course. I felt at 1-1 in the second half we had good control and and their second goal comes from nowhere.
“It’s 2-1 and you are suffering but we find the equaliser and then we feel like we have the momentum.
“The third goal, we got the block and it goes over Josh Griffiths’ head and in and we have to feel the pain.”