Leeds skipper Kevin Nicholls was sent off in his comeback match as Gavin Williams' first-half volley earned Ipswich a second win in their last six league matches.

Summer signing Nicholls, a surprise inclusion in Leeds' starting line-up after two months on the sidelines with a knee injury, received two yellow cards in the space of a minute late in the game and was given his marching orders.

Williams had earlier fired what turned out to be the winner on the stroke of half-time from Alan Lee's flick-on, lashing the ball into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area to light-up a poor first 45 minutes.

Both sides, each with just one win in their last five league outings, failed to muster a single shot on goal between them in the first 24 minutes, but improved considerably after the break, with Leeds going close on several occasions.

Ipswich striker Lee returned after a one-match ban, but Billy Clarke missed out due to a bruised ankle. Otherwise Town were unchanged from the side that drew at Cardiff last week.

Dan Harding lined up at left-back against his previous club, while former Leeds midfielder Simon Walton, on loan from Charlton, started on the substitutes' bench.

Nicholls made a surprise return after recovering from a second knee operation since his summer arrival from Luton, and Matt Kilgallon (ankle) was named on the bench.

But Robbie Blake (hamstring) missed out, leaving Ian Moore to partner on-loan Barnet striker Tresor Kandol up front, while Ian Westlake was asked to operate at left-back against his former club.

Ipswich dominated first-half possession, but had to settle for Legwinski's solitary effort - he forced on-loan Leeds goalkeeper Graham Stack to hold onto his 20-yard shot - before Williams' strike, while Leeds had to wait until the 38th minute for their first shot.

Jonathon Douglas crossed, but Kandol's right-footed curler drifted wide.

Eddie Lewis forced Lewis Price into his first real save of the match from a free-kick early in the second half as Leeds came out fired-up.

Ipswich weathered the storm and Richard Naylor headed narrowly wide from a corner by Williams, who then fired wide from outside the box, while Stack did well to hold Lee's drilled shot from similar distance.

Owen Garvan's volley was blocked by Nicholls, who crossed for Kandol soon after, but the latter headed wide, with both sides now creating chances.

Leeds stepped it up heading into the final quarter in a bid to rescue a point. Kandol and then substitute Sebastien Carole, on for Shaun Derry, forced Price into further saves from outside the area.

Leeds manager Dennis Wise then sent on David Healy for Moore as Leeds chased an equaliser.

Douglas' shot was blocked by Legwinski and Carole was thwarted again by Price from close range.

Leeds skipper Nicholls let his frustration get the better of him in the 84th minute when he received a second yellow card and was sent off.

Douglas blazed wide from just outside the area and Garvan twice went close for Ipswich in the closing stages, his 30-yard effort forcing Stack into another fine save.

Sporting Life