Derby County can attribute their lofty position to their powers of recovery. Trailing to Gary Roberts' first Ipswich goal, they mounted the sort of fightback that is becoming familiar. Steve Howard equalised and Arturo Lupoli's header in injury-time sealed a breathless victory.

Howard was a solitary presence in attack for Derby. If that suggests an unusual level of caution from a side who had won their five previous games, Billy Davies' fluid formation was configured to allow them to spring runners from midfield and to permit neat interplay.

However, when they threatened the Ipswich goal, it was with an altogether more direct approach. Howard met a Seth Johnson free-kick and Michael Johnson, stretching in his attempts to divert it goalwards, only succeeded in volleying over the bar as the advancing goalkeeper Lewis Price collided with him. Indeed, Derby thought Howard's aerial prowess had given them the lead. The £1m signing rose powerfully to head in Paul Boertien's left-wing cross, but the officials deemed his jump too aggressive.

And instead, it was Ipswich who took an advantage. With Derby's concentration seemingly affected, Roberts seized on Matt Richards's clearance to beat Stephen Bywater from 25 yards.

Howard's persistence was rewarded with Derby's leveller. He met Morten Bisgaard's corner with a header of sufficient power to nestle in the top corner, despite a despairing attempt by Dan Harding on the line to clear. Ipswich's cause was not helped by Simon Walton's dismissal. Already cautioned, his late lunge on Johnson resulted in his early departure.

Richard Jolly (The Guardian)