Ipswich Town 1 - 1 Burnley

Ipswich Town 1-1 Burnley

Updated: March 17, 2009, 10:10 PM UK

Burnley cemented their play-off place with a hard-fought 1-1 draw which dented Ipswich's hopes of a top six finish.

Midfielder Wade Elliott's fourth goal of the season in the 19th minute gave the visitors a half-time lead in the Coca-Cola Championship clash at Portman Road.

But Ipswich hit back in the second half through a 20-yard drive from winger Giovani dos Santos on 73 minutes.

Manager Jim Magilton made two changes following Ipswich's weekend victory at Reading. Loanee dos Santos made his home debut and Ivan Campo was recalled, with Alan Quinn and Pim Balkestein making way.

For the visitors, Owen Coyle brought in Chris Eagles for the injured Steven Thompson in the only change from Saturday's 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Dos Santos had a brilliant chance to score in the early stages but chipped into the arms of Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen after racing on to a Luciano Civelli through ball.

Civelli then went close himself soon after when he latched on to a precision pass from dos Santos but fired straight at Jensen when clean through.

From Jensen's clearance, the visitors took the lead.

The ball broke loose in the Ipswich box and Elliott rifled home from an angle to give Burnley the advantage.

Chris Eagles then had a dipping effort saved by Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright after being teed up by Martin Paterson as the visitors looked dangerous on the break.

And it needed a point-blank save from Wright to deny Elliott a second goal soon after as the midfielder headed down a Chris Eagles cross.

For Ipswich, full-back David Wright came close towards the end of the first half after jinking through the Burnley defence but saw his shot charged down.

The home side started the second period brightly and went close through Kevin Lisbie, who shot just wide after taking advantage of a lapse at the heart of Burnley's defence.

The Clarets should have extended their lead in the 62nd minute but skipper Steven Caldwell's close range header from Robbie Blake's free-kick was blocked by Wright.

Just as Burnley were starting to look comfortable, Ipswich hit back through Giovani.

The Mexican winger, on loan from Tottenham, lashed the ball home after Burnley failed to clear a long ball.

Ipswich then pushed men forward but were vulnerable on the break.

And they had an escape when midfielder Chris McCann side-footed straight into Wright's arms from 12 yards after being set up by Robbie Blake.

But dos Santos, who was at the centre of most Ipswich attacks, could doubled his tally but failed to connect with an Alan Quinn cross from close range.

Substitute Pablo Counago stung Jensen's hands from 25 yards in the closing stages as Ipswich piled on the pressure. But their search for a winner proved to be in vain.