GRANT Leadbitter showed the bottle to earn Ipswich Town a Championship point in Tuesday’s home 3-3 draw with Middlesbrough.

And the 25-year-old midfielder today vowed to show the same desire to get Town into the Premier League at the earliest opportunity.

Leadbitter showed no nerves when he converted a 75th minute penalty as Town roared back from being 3-1 down.

“I missed my previous spot kick against Sheffield United and it would have been easy to shy away from taking the one on Tuesday.

“But that’s not the type of man I am.

“I was off the pitch when Connor Wickham scored with our last penalty at Doncaster, but even if I had been playing at the time I would have let him take it as he was on a hat-trick.

“There were no nerves, I just focused as it was time to put my miss behind me and put us back into the game.”

And Leadbitter will be showing the same desire in his quest to help take the Blues up to the Premier League.

“I show desire every week, in fact every day,” he added.

“I came here from Sunderland 18 months ago for one reason and one reason only – to get Ipswich Town promoted.

“And I am going to do it.”

Leadbitter has no intention of taking his foot off the pedal in the remaining five games of the season with Ipswich destined to finish in mid-table again.

Manager Paul Jewell has already said that he will take exception to anybody he thinks is not pulling his weight as the campaign runs down.

“It doesn’t matter who the manager is,” added Leadbitter. “You don’t slack.

“It’s the way I’ve been brought up to never give in.

“I’m looking forward at this club. And I’m looking to enjoy my time here.

“As long as you enjoy your football – the rest will take care of itself.”

Leadbitter now has five goals for the season with his first from open play in the seventh minute against Boro when his 20 yard shot took a deflection over Tony McMahon.

“It was good to get that goal and it put us ahead. We should have been two or three ahead in the first 20 minutes but didn’t and then got punished.”

Town travel to Bristol City on Saturday and then have the eagerly awaited home match with Norwich City next Thursday.

Mark Kennedy was substituted eight minutes from the end on Tuesday, but is expected to be fit to keep his place. He was on a yellow card after heavy 59th minute challenge.

HOW do you rate Grant Leadbitter? Let us know – e-mail starsport@eveningstar.co.uk.