Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna fumes at ‘crazy’ decision to not award late penalty

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna lamented a “crazy” decision to not award a penalty in the closing stages of a 1-1 draw with Leicester at Portman Road.

The Tractor Boys missed the chance to move into the Sky Bet Championship automatic promotion places, while the away side remain in the relegation zone after their third draw in their last four league games.

Patson Daka put the Foxes ahead in the 39th minute before Sindre Walle Egeli equalised for the hosts in the second half.

The controversial incident came late on when Cedric Kipre was challenged in the area by Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury, with the Ipswich defender and McKenna both getting cautioned for their appeals.

McKenna said: “I loved how we chased the game in the second half and I thought we had at least two clear penalties, a clear penalty on Anis (Mehmeti) and the one on Cedric (Kipre) at the end is crazy it’s not given. It couldn’t be any more clearer, there’s nowhere else you can look.

“Dara (O’Shea) puts in an incredible ball into the six-yard box and it’s the only place all the officials can look and Cedric gets fouled in every way you can get fouled.

“It’s really frustrating because I really, really liked the way we chased the game and had a clear penalty to win the game.

“We are really frustrated… and I think we should have had at least two penalties and should have had a kick to win the game.

“Our supporters would be going home really proud of the second-half performance of the team, the spirit, the character that the group showed and what would have been very likely a comeback victory.”

Town slipped to fourth following the stalemate, two points behind second place, while Leicester remain in the bottom three.

Boss Gary Rowett applauded his side’s efforts against their promotion-chasing hosts.

HE said: “To come here and to do what we did here is testament to the players. They are really trying to buy into the structure and hard work we are demanding and require.

“I thought first half our shape was excellent and we got into some brilliant, brilliant positions and maybe should have done a little better.

“I liked the look of us first half and to go a goal ahead after a well-worked set-piece and to get into half-time (with a lead), I was really pleased.

“We were under pressure second half. Disappointed to concede, but I couldn’t complain that Ipswich didn’t deserve something for their efforts.

Speaking about the last-minute penalty appeal, Rowett added: “It looked like two penalty shouts earlier in the game.

“It looked as though they went down a little bit easily, I’m not suggesting that it means it shouldn’t have been a penalty at the end, but maybe that was in the referee’s mind.

“Maybe the referee is looking at some of those moments and of course when everybody jumps up and everybody’s desperate it’s hard in that moment to be sure and if your not sure you can’t give it so clearly he wasn’t sure.”