Football: Struggling City thwarted by Genchev

Ipswich Town. . . . . . 2

Manchester City. . . . .2

Another draw was not quite what Manchester City had in mind last night at Portman Road, where their struggle to stave off relegation continued unabated.

Briefly, they must have fantasised about claiming their first away win in the Premiership in six months, when they came from behind to lead through Uwe Rosler's first goal for the club. But within five minutes Ipswich's own import, Boncho Genchev, postponed the party with an equaliser from a disputed penalty award.

Ipswich continue to ship goals at an alarming rate before their own fans - 14 in five games now at Portman Road. At least David Linighan is making amends at the other end, as he did when heading home Lee Durrant's free-kick after 23 minutes.

In the 32nd minute, though, Linighan undid his earlier good work by failing to clear and Peter Beagrie cleverly worked a cross-cum-shot that came back off the far post. Walsh, following up, almost fell over himself in his excitement to score.

Looking good value at pounds 750,000, Walsh is more adroit at making goals than taking them, as he showed when he played in Rosler, on loan from Dynamo Dresden, for the second goal after 61 minutes. Then Michel Vonk was adjudged to have fouled Durrant on the fringe of the penalty area and Genchev equalised from the spot.

Ipswich Town (4-4-2): Baker; Stockwell, Linighan, Whelan, Johnson; Palmer, Williams, Slater, Durrant; Genchev, Kiwomya. Substitutes not used: Mason, Youds, Morgan (gk).

Manchester City (4-4-2): Dibble; Hill, Curle, Vonk, D Brightwell; I Brightwell, Rocastle, McMahon, Beagrie; Rosler, Walsh. Substitutes not used: Karl, Sheron, Margetson (gk).

Referee: P Don (Middlesex).