Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle 2 Ipswich 2: Walters spoils the party with last-gasp strike
Jon Walters spoiled Newcastle's Coca-Cola Championship title celebrations with an injury-time equaliser as Ipswich grabbed a point on Tyneside. [LNB]The midfielder struck with seconds of stoppage time remaining to cancel out substitute Shola Ameobi's 84th-minute penalty, which had looked like giving the Magpies their 19th home win of the season.[LNB] Just champion: Newcastle captains Alan Smith and Kevin Nolan lift the trophy[LNB]It was the second time Town had levelled with teenager Connor Wickham beating Steve Harper three minutes before the break after Andy Carroll had headed the champions in front. [LNB]But Ipswich and their former Sunderland boss Roy Keane could not prevent the Magpies from ending their home campaign unbeaten with 18 wins and five draws. [LNB]The game was played in front of a Championship record crowd of 52,181, the vast majority of them delighted home fans ready to acclaim their title-winning team. [LNB]It was the visitors who made the brighter start when Wickham's second-minute long throw found its way to skipper Walters. [LNB] The midfielder's first shot was blocked and keeper Steve Harper saved his follow-up with a foot. [LNB] Party pooper: Ipswich Town's Jonathan Walters (left) scores late equaliser[LNB]At the other end, Carroll failed to make the most of keeper Brian Murphy's hesitancy when he ran on to Danny Guthrie's through-ball but could not find strike-partner Peter Lovenkrands five minutes later. [LNB]Newcastle were gradually working their way into the game, but Harper was relieved to see Jamie Peters' 18th-minute cross elude Walters, if only just, in front of goal. [LNB]The Magpies finally took the lead with 27 minutes gone when Wayne Routledge turned up on the left wing to beat full-back David Wright and fire in a cross which Carroll met with a thumping header to claim his 19th goal of the season. [LNB]But Ipswich were level three minutes before the break when Wickham got between central defenders Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson and produced a fine right-foot finish. [LNB]Smiles better: Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton celebrates with the Coca-Cola Football League Championship trophy[LNB]Lovenkrands fired just wide seconds later and the home side responded, but Grant Leadbitter went equally close at the other end in a lively end to the half. [LNB]Town defender Gareth McAuley planted a free header wastefully over the bar from Leadbitter's 47th-minute corner, and Newcastle were far from having things their own way. [LNB]But they went close 12 minutes later when Jonas Gutierrez and Carroll combined to set up Lovenkrands, who could not hit the target as the angle was closed down. [LNB]Carroll headed wide from Jose Enrique's cross seconds later as the home side stepped up a gear, and Ameobi, club captain Nicky Butt on his final home appearance for the club and Joey Barton were all introduced in the quest for a winner. [LNB]The changes did the trick and when Butt was tripped by former Sunderland midfielder Grant Leadbitter, Ameobi calmly converted the penalty. [LNB]However, Walters levelled as the clock ticked into a fourth minute of added time to deny the home side victory. [LNB] Newcastle wrap up Championship title as lowly Plymouth are sent downNewcastle 2 Forest 0: Jose's big night - Enrique scores his first ever goal [LNB] [LNB]
