Fleetwood Town 2-2 Ipswich Town: Ipswich score 101st goal of the season but finish second in League One

Freddie LadapoImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Freddie Ladapo's finish from a tight angle was Ipswich's 100th of the league season

Promoted Ipswich had to settle for second place in League One despite topping 100 goals for the season at Highbury.

The Tractor Boys had already clinched their automatic place in the Championship but knew they could create EFL history by becoming the first team ever to clock up 100 points and 100 goals in a season.

They also had their eyes on bettering Plymouth's result on the final day, which would have handed them the title, but Argyle won 3-1 at Port Vale to secure the crown for themselves.

Ipswich were on course for the win they wanted, and the feat was on when Freddie Ladapo gave them the lead early in the second half.

But Fleetwood hit back to lead through two strikes from Jack Marriott, before Marcus Harness levelled to spark a late siege on the home side's goal.

Kieran McKenna's Ipswich were a shadow of the team that had pieced together a remarkable run of 13 wins and a draw to challenge Plymouth for the title, although they had the better chances in a low-key first half.

The Tractor Boys stepped it up after the break, with top scorer Conor Chaplin sweeping a shot narrowly to the side after being teed up by Ladapo, a first-half substitute for the injured George Hirst.

Ladapo then forced them ahead in the 50th minute, latching on to the ball, holding off the challenge of Brendan Wiredu and hammering his shot home off the underside of the bar from a tight angle - a fine way to make it 100 league goals for the campaign.

That roused the Cod Army and, within eight minutes, they were level as Promise Omochere raced down the right. His cross was intended for Phoenix Patterson, but when his shot was parried by goalkeeper Christian Walton, Marriott snapped up the rebound.

Marriott made it eight goals for the season on 69 minutes when Omochere glanced on a corner and the striker headed in at the far post.

Ipswich hit back strongly and made it 2-2 four minutes later through Harness. He pounced on the rebound when Chaplin's shot was blocked.

The season ended on a sour note for the league runners-up as Harry Clarke lunged at Sam Glenfield and received a second yellow card, meaning he will miss Ipswich's opening game in the Championship next season.

Fleetwood manager Scott Brown told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"From start to finish this season, we've always wanted to make our home a place that was hard to come - and today it was hard for Ipswich. The lads gave us everything, from start to finish - you could see the tired bodies at the end.

"It was good to see the youngsters on the park as well because that's a huge thing for this football club - we need to make sure we bring youngsters in and give them an opportunity and also show them what the level is, and what the first-team lads expect.

"You can't bring young players in if they're not good enough and today the ones that came on were able to compete. When corners and crosses came in the box, they put their heads and bodies on the line for us and that's the least that we expect.

"The team was always going to progress. It was not just about signing strikers but the introduction of Phoenix (Patterson), Jayden (Stockley) and Jack (Marriott) has been exceptional as we needed that killer edge at the top end."

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk:

"We finished at home last weekend with a 6-0 - possibly the best day of a lot of the players' lives - and we didn't manage to hit those levels today but still did enough to create the chances to win the game.

"The players and staff work so hard and we train and live to a level of intensity and professionalism that is really, really high, and that's why the performances have been at the level they have been.

"We haven't had that so much this week, for obvious reasons, and when we don't we're not such a good team, and we weren't as dominant as we have been for most of the year. It's a little reminder going into next year that what separates us is the focus and intensity.

"We have great pride in the season. An incredible season in so many ways, on and off the pitch. It's been a huge season for the club. On the pitch, it's reflected in the points total and the performances in scoring 101 goals and only losing four games. There's a lot to be pleased about."

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