Queens Park Rangers 1 Ipswich Town 1

AN EQUALISER by Matt Holland in stoppage time allowed Ipswich to move a point closer to Sunderland at the top of the First Division last night.

It had looked as if there would be no reward for their smooth football and greater share of possession until the midfielder's late intervention brought a deserved draw.

But Ipswich must be concerned now that striker David Johnson, who did not shirk a physical battle with Danny Maddix, is to go into hospital for a cartilage operation. He will be missing for at least a month and Ipwswich are signing Samassi Abou on a month's from West Ham.

The home side had taken the lead through Kevin Gallen, increasing hopes that they could maintain their fine form of November, which had led to Gerry Francis being named manager of the month.

Richard Wright was not called upon until late in the first half, when he saved from Rowland and Paul Murray. The England under-21 goalkeeper was at fault, however, when Mike Sheron found Gallen, whose angled shot squeezed under Wright at the near post.

Ludek Miklosko made fine saves from Holland's header and Jamie Clapham's drive from close to the by-line. But in the first minute of injury time Holland collected a ricochet and found the corner of the net.

Daily Telegraph