IPSWICH TOWN: Andros Townsend today revealed that Alex Bruce had been picked out as red card candidate before Saturday’s 2-1 Championship victory over Leeds United at Portman Road.

Former Town defender Bruce fouled flying Spurs loanee Townsend twice, and his dismissal following his second yellow card after 78 minutes proved critical when Tommy Smith headed home the winner three minutes later.

“All the players had been telling me before the match about Brucie,” said Townsend.

“They told me to keep getting at him as it would lead him to dive in.

“Luckily it worked out for us as Leeds going down to 10 men had a big influence on the outcome of the game.

“It was frightening how we galvanised after the Leeds leveller and the determination we showed to get back in front again.”

Bruce accepted the referee’s red card. He said: “When it happened I thought I got a touch of the ball for the second yellow, but after seeing a replay I could see that I didn’t.”

While skipper for the day Grant Leadbitter was preparing to take the resultant free-kick in front of visiting fans after Bruce’s dismissal the Town player was seen to be holding his head as though struck by an object from the crowd.

Stewards grouped along the touchline and Leadbitter did not make a big deal of it, but the authorities will be expected to take action.

Townsend, who is on loan from Tottenham until the end of the season, reflected on his and the team’s performance against a Yorkshire-based club whose fans invaded the pitch in the last meeting between the sides when an Alan Lee equaliser sent them down to League One.

“It has taken too long and Saturday was the first time I have shown the manager, fans and team mates what I can do,“ he said.

“But it was more about three points and giving us a massive boost of a regaining a top six place.

“I didn’t think we played as well as we did when we lost at Reading last Tuesday, but we dug in and gained three big points.”

Jake Livermore, another Tottenham loanee, had a big hand in Jason Scotland’s opening goal with Townsend adding:

“Jake can become a big player for us. He is quality.

“Playing for Ipswich is a step up the ladder for me and hopefully I can make an impression in the Championship.

“And the strength of the squad is good enough to see Ipswich have a good season.”