Ipswich Town 2 Sheffield United 2

Sheffield United lost keeper Simon Tracey to concussion and were almost left reeling by an Ipswich knockout punch.

The Blades looked to be in control against a lacklustre Ipswich side until Tracey cracked his skull against the goal post after an hour.

Don Hutchinson took over in goal and Mitch Ward, who came on as substitute, gave the stand-in keeper no chance with a fiercely-struck 20-yard volley 11 minutes from time.

The Blades seemed to be strolling towards second place in the table but Ipswich made an inspired substitution with Neil Gregory coming on for the out of form Alex Mathie.

Gregory grabbed an equaliser three minutes from time to earn Ipswich a point and improve their plight near the foot of the first division. Gareth Taylor gave the Blades a ninth-minute lead.

Brian Deane supplied the cross and Taylor stole ahead of Jason Cundy to steer past Richard Wright.

Town enjoyed a spell of pressure at the start of the second half and were rewarded in the 50th minute when Andy Legg met Mick Stockwell's cross with a diving header for the equaliser.

The Blades shrugged off the loss of Tracey and substitute Ward unleashed an unstoppable volley to put Nigel Spackman's men back in the driving seat.

But Ipswich refused to give up and Gregory hauled them level and might have snatched a last-gasp winner.

He had a golden opportunity in injury time to steal it for Ipswich but lifted his volley over from six yards.

Ipswich had earlier been denied what looked to be a clear penalty.

David Holdsworth dragged down Jason Dozzell in the area but Portsmouth referee Mike Pierce waved play on.