RONAN Murray capped an impressive display by scoring a 78th minute equaliser as Ipswich Town drew 1-1 with Watford at the club’s training ground this afternoon.

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Ipswich 1 Watford 1

RONAN Murray capped an impressive display by scoring a 78th minute equaliser as Ipswich Town drew 1-1 with Watford at the club’s training ground this afternoon.

The diminutive striker, who looked sharp and a threat throughout, managed to get the briefest of touches to Colin Healy’s deflected shot to give the Blues a deserved equaliser.

New loan signing Reece Wabara showed potential at right-back, there were 90 minutes for Ivar Ingimarsson and Mark Kennedy and 15-year-old Byron Lawrence impressed after coming on at the interval.

Town almost took the lead with less than 60 seconds gone when Healy’s deep cross was met by an unmarked Jack Ainsley but his far post header failed to hit the target.

In a competitive encounter, both teams had their chances and Arran Lee-Barrett did well to deny Prince Buaben and Troy Deeney while former Colchester United striker Chris Iwelumo should have done better with a close range header.

At the other end, Nathan Ellington just failed to get contact onto Murray’s dangerous cross before Ainsley fired a first time shot just over following a sweeping move from the home side.

Ipswich started the second half brighter, Murray firing wide from distance and Watford keeper Jonathan Bond tipping over Caolan Lavery’s powerful drive.

And it was slightly against the run of play when the Hornets took the lead, Deeney’s flick releasing Buaben and his dipping shot bounced past Lee-Barrett’s dive to break the deadlock in the 62nd minute.

To their credit, Town kept coming forward and fashioning chances with Murray seemingly on a personal mission to score, finally finding the net with 12 minutes left following good work by Ainsley and Healy.

Lawrence had a cross-shot tipped away by Bond before Ipswich almost won it with the last kick of the game but Ainsley’s back post volley was well parried by the Watford keeper.

Ipswich team: Lee-Barrett, Wabara, Ingimarsson, Smith, Whight (Hyam 46); Ainsley, Healy, Kennedy, O’Connor (Lawrence 46); Ellington (Lavery 46), Murray. Sub not used - Cropper.

- Buy tomorrow’s East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star for a full rundown on how every Ipswich Town player fared this afternoon, plus more pictures