Headache for Ipswich as Rovers draw

Ipswich's preparations for their long-anticipated return to European competition were far from perfect. They allowed a 1-0 lead to slip from their grasp and saw goalscorer Alun Armstrong carried off on a stretcher after being knocked temporarily unconscious after a clash with Blackburn?s Alan Mahon.

Afterwards, while Rovers boss Graeme Souness was revealing his interest in signing Robbie Fowler from Liverpool, Ipswich manager George Burley confirmed that Armstrong will miss the UEFA Cup tie against Torpedo Moscow.

Burley said: ?He will be 50-50 for Manchester United on Saturday but he won?t be able to play in the UEFA Cup on Thursday.? Ipswich could have gone two or three up during a period of control in the first half, but they paid the price for failing to shake off a spirited Blackburn side.

Burley was looking for his side to build some momentum ahead of Ipswich?s first taste of continental football since the 1982-83 season and they began well. Armstrong took only 14 minutes to open the scoring, having already seen Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel hold efforts from Martij Reuser and Matt Holland.

Jim Magilton sent Finidi George racing in on Friedel and, when a chipped effort crashed back off the bar, Armstrong hammered the ball low into the net through a crowd of retreating defenders.

Hreidarsson missed a free header soon after and, given just a glimmer of hope, Blackburn gradually eased themselves back into the game.

Home goalkeeper Matteo Sereni had to make at least three international class saves to keep Ipswich ahead but there was little he could do to prevent Matt Jansen?s 53rd-minute equaliser.

A superb ball over the top from Tugay found Jansen charging in beyond John McGreal and, as Sereni raced out, the striker executed a perfect chip.

Marcus Stewart had the ball in the net early in the eight minutes of injury time, only to have his effort disallowed for a foul by Pablo Counago, while Hreidarsson had a header saved.