Bramble maintains Ipswich record

Ipswich's Magilton holds off Torpedo Moscow's Sadjaia

Ipswich 1-1 Torpedo Moscow

Ipswich maintained their proud unbeaten home record in Europe thanks to a late equaliser from defender Titus Bramble.

Bramble drilled home a left-foot shot with five minutes left to spare Ipswich's blushes on their long-awaited European return.

But no-one would have been left more red-faced than Bramble had an equaliser not arrived.

After seeing what we did tonight I don't see why we can't go there and win

Titus Bramble

The young defender was guilty of a misplaced pass which led to Moscow's first-half opener, Vyasmikin the Russian hero as he fired a shot through the legs of the advancing Ipswich goalkeeper Sereni.

The home side had countless chances to haul themselves back into contention, but were always wary of the Moscovites bagging a second on the break.

Striker Counago saw a flicked header bounce off the crossbar and then headed straight at goalkeeper Berezovsky from the follow up.

But Ipswich's best hope of a way back into the tie was gifted to them when Counago was somewhat harshly adjudged to have been tugged back in the penalty area.

Marcus Stewart stepped up to take the spot kick, but screwed his shot horribly wide.

George Burley's side refused to lose their patience though and were buoyed late on when Moscow had a second goal ruled out for offside.

Vyasmikin slotted home after Sereni had parried a shot but Torpedo's celebrations were cut short by a linesman's flag.

That signalled a late charge by the home side and an equaliser finally came with five minutes left.

Vyasmikin celebrates after scoring Torpedo's goal

George held the ball up well and teed up Bramble, who needed no second invitation.

A late surge should have seen Ipswich complete their comeback with a winner, but George fired straight at the keeper when well placed as Moscow's defence began to wilt.

Jim Magilton then saw a spinning shot bounce against the inside of a post and Richard Naylor somehow smacked the follow-up against the bar when it looked easier to score.

George was denied again in the final seconds but, ultimately, Burley's tractor boys were grateful for parity.

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Ipswich: Sereni, Makin, McGreal, Hreidarsson, Bramble, Holland, Magilton, Wright, Stewart, Counago, George. Subs: Branagan, Wilnis, Clapham, Reuser, Naylor, Venus, Tommy Miller.

Torpedo Moscow: Berezovsky, Daev, Malai, Iolovich, Lukhvitch, Sadjaia, Chenko, Kormiltsev, Zurianov, Vyasmikin, Shirko. Subs: Vorobiev, Gashkin, Semshov, Kamoltsev, Lakic, Adzhinbhal, Familtsev.

Referee: O Erdemir (Turkey).