It Only Comes Once A Year - But Wheater Goal Appreciated

IPSWICH: Lee-Barrett, Rosenior, McAuley, Delaney, David Wright (Garvan 79), Walters, Leadbitter, Norris, Colback, Healy (Counago 62), Daryl Murphy (Stead 85). Subs Not Used: Brian Murphy, Peters, Balkestein, Edwards.

BORO: Coyne, Naughton, Wheater, Grounds, Hoyte, Flood, O'Neil, McManus, Taylor (Franks 51), Miller, Killen (Lita 81). Subs Not Used: Steele, Walker, Bennett, McMahon, Luke Williams.

The big defender headed home in the second half to find the net for the first time since the opening day of last season ... his first goal in 18 months!

It cancelled out a horror start for Boro as Daryl Murphy marked his Ipswich debut with a goal after just 23 seconds.

Healy crossed from the right side and Murphy sent a shot into the bottom corner from 12 yards. It was the first time he had been on the scoresheet since scoring for the Mackems in a 2-0 Premier League win over Wigan on February 9, 2008.

Gordon Strachan made four changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Bristol City last week. Lee Miller, Andrew Taylor and Kyle Naughton found a place in the starting line-up and new arrival Stephen McManus made his debut.

This was the first fixture since the sale of 12-goal winger Adam Johnson to Manchester City.

 It was a bizarre line-up that saw Strachan start the game with three centre-halves and three full-backs!

It was immediately evident that players were confused by the plot and the tactics, as they found themselves a goal down before they had time to sort out who was to play where.

But Boro regrouped after conceding the early goal, although they posed little in the way of an attacking threat in the first half.

Chris Killen got an acrobatic effort on target on the half-hour mark but it was a routine save for Arran Lee-Barrett.

Healy and Murphy continued to look lively and had several shots blocked by Boro defenders before the visitors came into the game after the break.

Miller fired over the crossbar five minutes into the second half and Killen forced a fine save from Lee-Barrett when his shot inside the area was tipped around a post.

Boro's pressure paid off after 62 minutes when Wheater headed home Gary O'Neil's left-wing cross.

Ipswich had a chance to retake the lead with 12 minutes remaining when Gareth McAuley headed Grant Leadbitter's corner over the crossbar.