Richards harvests a point as Tractor Boys deny Rams

Derby County 3 Ipswich Town 3

Two assured finishes by the on-loan Southampton striker Dexter Blackstock, either side of another by Marcus Tudgay, looked set to earn Phil Brown's Derby side their second win in 14 games. But Ipswich, who scored early through Richard Naylor and clawed back to 2-2 thanks to Jim Magilton, came from behind a second time when Matt Richards scored the fourth and best header of the night in the 83rd minute.

Ipswich scented a first victory in six matches when Joe Royle's summer signing from Swindon, Sam Parkin, rose to power the ball goalwards in the closing exchanges. Kevin Poole, Derby's 42-year-old goalkeeper, arched in mid-air to tip it over.

A collision of Rams and Tractor Boys might have had an agricultural feel, but the football was commendably progressive. Ipswich were in front after 11 minutes, Magilton whipping a free-kick into the penalty area for Naylor to head in.

Derby levelled on 35 minutes and led by the 38th. First, Emerson Thome selflessly guided Inigo Idiakez's corner to the 19-year-old Blackstock, who stooped to nod it into the net. Then Bisgaard crossed for Tudgay, 22, to head home.

Responding to the young upstarts, the portly, 36-year-old Magilton equalised in the 42nd minute. After Thome's foul on Parkin, the midfielder curled in the free-kick from 25 yards.

Derby regained the lead in the 56th minute when Blackstock hit a first-time shot to collecthis third goal in a game and a half. Ipswich, though, would not be denied, Richards timing his run perfectly to bullet Darren Currie's cross past Poole.

Derby County (4-4-2): Poole; Edworthy, Thome, M Johnson, Whittingham; Bisgaard, Idiakez, S Johnson, Jackson (Barnes, 90); Blackstock, Tudgay. Substitutes not used: Camp (gk), Peschisolido, Thirlwell, Barnes, Nyatanga.

Ipswich Town (4-5-1): Price; Castro Sito, Naylor, De Vos, Wilnis (McEveley, 60); Bowditch ( Proudlock, 79), Juan, Magilton, Richards, McDonald (Currie, 61); Parkin. Substitutes not used: Supple (gk), Peters.

Referee: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).