Championship play-offs: Honours even from fabulous Old Farm derby

Substitute Paul Anderson struck deep into first-half stoppage time to ensure East Anglia rivals Ipswich Town and Norwich City go back to Carrow Road level in their Championship play-off semi-final tie.

Canaries midfielder Jonny Howson put the visitors to Portman Road ahead towards the end of a blood and thunder first 45 minutes, which was punctuated by a lengthy injury delay for Tractor Boys forward Luke Varney.

Alex Neil’s Norfolk outfit were indebted to number one John Ruddy for a sensational double reaction stop early on, first thwarting Freddie Sears from point-blank range and then dealing with Varney’s follow-up header after determined play for Daryl Murphy.

Ipswich had an escape of their own when Norwich anchorman Alexander Tettey bent the ball against the outside of Bartosz Bialkowski’s left-hand post, as the hosts were undone from a simple throw-in.

Howson and former Leeds United colleague Bradley Johnson saw respective headers sail wide either side of this big chance for the Canaries to score.

On 40 minutes, and following a lengthy delay which saw Mick McCarthy forced into a change by replacing the injured Varney with Anderson, the visitors went ahead. Cameron Jerome showed superb strength to shrug off Tommy Smith and split down the left before pulling back for Howson to guide home.

These bitter East Anglian rivals went in at half-time level, however, thanks to Anderson. A long punt upfield was defended poorly by Norwich captain Russell Martin and Sears seized upon his error.