Midfielder Alan Quinn hands old Blades pals a point

A MOMENT of madness by Alan Quinn in the last minute handed his former Sheffield United team-mates a point in this game of two penalties.

Ipswich were poised for a third straight home win that would have taken them into the top six, just below the Blades, thanks to Tommy Miller’s first half success from the spot.

But then midfield substitute Quinn, who joined the Tractor Boys from Bramall Lane for £400,000 last January, inexplicably raised an arm to an unthreatening James Beattie effort.

The grateful Beattie duly snatched the ball and sent Ipswich keeper Richard Wright the wrong way with the penalty to pinch a point.

Ipswich boss Jim Magilton moaned: “I don’t understand why Alan did it. He has said sorry — what can you do?

“You’re thinking it’s a 1-0 win and you tuck it under your belt, but then we give away two points. It is very disappointing for us and I think Sheffield United will go away more pleased than myself.” His side created most of the openings in the first half, with David Norris firing inches wide and a Pablo Counago 20-yard sizzler rebounding to safety off the inside of a post.

They finally got their noses in front four minutes from the break when Matt Kilgallon handled Jon Stead’s cross. Miller stepped up to notch his third goal of the season and preserve his proud record of never having missed a penalty.

Kilgallon almost made amends in the 64th minute when he got a meaty header to Brian Howard’s corner. But Ipswich keeper Richard Wright produced a stunning reflex save.

And when it looked as if United’s persistence would go unrewarded, Quinn helped them out. Blades manager Kevin Blackwell said: “I think we got what we deserved. The set of lads that I’ve got just never give in.”

Tony Rushmer (News of the World)