Jack Clarke's last-gasp penalty salvaged a 2-2 draw for Ipswich Town to boost their automatic promotion hopes and damage Middlesbrough's top-two aspirations.

Kim Hellberg's side seemed destined to move level on points with Ipswich, only for Clarke to convert in the 87th minute after Adilson Malanda was adjudged to have pulled on George Hirst's shirt.

The draw moved Ipswich – who still have a game in hand – into second and above Millwall on goal difference, with Kieran McKenna's team a further point clear of Southampton and three ahead of Hellberg's team.

Boro silenced the home crowd 25 minutes in when Aidan Morris' gorgeous pass released Alan Browne, who hammered across the face of goal for David Strelec to tap in.

The visitors' lead was short-lived as, just five minutes later, Ivan Azon produced a lovely backheel for Kasey McAteer to fizz into the bottom-right corner from the edge of the D.

Darnell Furlong spurned a glorious chance before half-time, while Azor Matusiwa cleared off the line when Browne found Alex Gilbert early into the second half.

Sol Brynn pushed over a ferocious Azon drive before Callum Brittain worked with Strelec down the right, and despite Christian Walton denying the full-back, Conway was on hand to sweep into an empty net in the 64th minute.

Walton then denied both Jeremy Sarmiento and Strelec, before Clarke tucked into the bottom-left corner to claim a vital point after what appeared to be a soft penalty for Malanda's apparent tug on Hirst's shirt.

Data Debrief: Substitutes keep home comforts aplenty

McKenna's side were made to work hard for their point in what proved to be a thriller, with Ipswich accumulating 2.03 expected goals (xG) to Boro's 2.69.

Although the hosts were not at their best, stifled by an impressive Boro, Clarke delivered off the bench for an 18th Championship goal scored by an Ipswich substitute, which is more than any other team this season.

A decisive draw could be the difference between promotion or the play-offs, but Ipswich's home form will have a large say in the final weeks.

They have lost the fewest home matches in the Championship this campaign (one out of 22 matches), and are unbeaten in their last 16 home league games (W10 D6).