Brett Pitman headed a dramatic injury time winner as the Blues came from behind to to beat Leeds United 2-1 at Portman Road. Souleymane Doukara put the visitors ahead in only the 12th second - the fastest strike in all four divisions so far this season - but Town gradually took control and dominated a second half in which Luke Chambers headed a 50th minute equaliser and then Pitman sealed the win, both goals coming from Ryan Fraser crosses.

Mick McCarthy reverted to the team which won 1-0 at Brighton and showed only one change from the side which drew 0-0 at Burnley last time out in the Championship with Jonathan Douglas returning from his knee injury to replace Luke Hyam in the Blues three-man midfield. For Leeds, former Town loan striker Chris Wood missed out with a hamstring injury.

The Blues found themselves behind after just 12 seconds. Skipper Chambers headed a long ball down the Leeds left inside towards Douglas, who dallied and was outmuscled by Doukara, who slammed a low shot past Dean Gerken to record the fastest goal in all four divisions this season, four seconds quicker than Freddie Sears’s goal at Fulham.

Town, stung by conceding such an early goal, went looking for an equaliser. Murphy forced keeper Marco Silvestri into a fifth minute save, then from the corner Chambers was adamant he’d been pulled back as Douglas headed the ball back across the area, however, referee Fred Graham wasn’t interested.

Fraser scuffed a shot through to Silvestri on six before Tommy Smith inadvertently diverted a Mustapha Carayol cross goalwards but Gerken was able to claim comfortably.

Leeds weren’t far away from increasing their advantage in the 12th minute when Doukara sent Carayol away on the left and Smith again scuffed the on-loan Middlesbrough winger’s cross towards his own goal but the Town keeper clawed behind.

The action was moving swiftly from one end of the field to the other basketball style and two minutes later Sears forced Silvestri to save from the edge of the area.

Within a minute, Town threatened again when a short corner on the left was played to Kevin Bru and his cross whipped across the six-yard area but with no one able to add a final touch.

Bru forced Silvestri into a save down to his left from 25 yards out on the right in the 22nd minute with the Blues by now presenting the greater threat.

On 28 Fraser dug out a pass to Daryl Murphy from the right and the Irishman turned and hit a powerful shot which Silvestri somewhat uncomfortably kept out.

The Blues continued to put the visitors under pressure but without testing Silvestri further. Bru shot wide from well out on the left in the 35th minute, while Chambers again claimed a penalty after he was caught as he looked to get on the ball earlier in the move, but again referee Graham wasn’t interested.

Town continued to dominate, passing the ball around confidently and keeping possession comfortably and on 41 Jonas Knudsen whipped over a dangerous cross which was headed away in front of Douglas.

Two minutes before the scheduled end of the half Silvestri, who had struggled with his kicking all half, required treatment from the Leeds physio.

The keeper was deemed OK to carry on and a minute later was called into action again when Murphy laid a ball into feet off to Fraser on the left of the box and the Scotland U21 international cut in and hit a shot which the Italian did well to tip over.

Moments before the break Fraser whipped over another cross from the left but without being able to create the opportunity which would see the Blues get back on terms.

Having been caught cold for the very early goal, the game was a scrappy end to end affair for the first 20 minutes or so before Town began to take control.

Leeds, who might well have increased their lead during the opening spell, rarely threatened the nearer the game got to the break, while Town forced Silvestri to make saves on a number of occasions and had deserved to have got themselves back on terms.

Soon after the restart Sears sent the ball well into the Sir Bobby Robson Stand from the edge of the area, then at the other end Alex Mowatt turned Carayol’s cross from the left over the bar.

But the Blues had begun the second half as they had ended the first and on 50 they levelled. Fraser whipped over a superb cross from the left and skipper Chambers powerfully headed his third goal of the season across and past Silvestri.

Town kept up the pressure and on 54 Fraser sent over another ball from the left but this time Silvestri claimed.

Three minutes later the on-loan AFC Bournemouth man again crossed from the left and Murphy turned it against a defender. The loose ball ran to Cole Skuse, who curled a shot just past the post from 25 yards. Moments later, Douglas picked up the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Carayol.

On 62 Bru sent over a cross from the left, Chambers knocked it back across goal from a tight angle on the right and Sears was just unable to keep it in play on the left.

The Blues continued to dominate with Leeds desperately hanging on at times, keeper Silvestri grasping the ball ahead of Murphy after Bru had again crossed from the left.

Town came agonisingly close to the second goal their performance deserved in the 72nd minute. Fraser quickly took a throw on the left and Bru whipped over a cross which Murphy and then Chambers both just failed to get a touch on and Silvestri pawed behind, although referee Graham signalled a goalkick.

Murphy looped a header to Silvestri from Chambers’s cross a minute later as the Blues kept up what had been almost relentless pressure from start of the second half.

Fraser fed in Murphy on the left of the area on 76 but the striker lost his footing as he sought to cut inside a defender. The Irish international was replaced by Pitman two minutes later. Soon after, Leeds swapped Lewis Cook for striker Mirco Antenucci.

As the game moved into its final scheduled 10 minutes, Chambers was booked for impeding Silvestri as the keeper looked to get the ball out quickly after catching a corner.

Dallas joined him in the book for a foul on Bru in the 83rd minute, although referee Graham failed to bring play back despite the Blues having received little advantage. A minute later the Mauritius international, who had been hurt by the challenge, was replaced by Luke Hyam.

Within a minute of coming on, Hyam played in Fraser down the right. Silvestri needlessly rushed off his line and the Scot powered the ball across the six-yard area but a sliding Pitman was just unable to apply the final touch.

But in the second of five minutes of injury time, Town finally won it. Knudsen hit a long ball down the left, Fraser deftly controlled before looping over a cross, which Pitman stooped to nod home to send Portman Road wild. It was the former Bournemouth striker’s eighth goal of the season.

There was no time for Leeds to hit back and referee Graham’s whistle confirmed the Blues’ victory.

Town thoroughly deserved their victory having dominated the game from the midway point in the first half playing some of their best football of the season and creating a number of decent chances.

Leeds were under pressure for virtually an hour of the game and looked to have held out until Pitman’s late goal, like Chambers’s earlier header, superbly created by man of the match Fraser.

The victory sees the Blues stretch their winning record at home on Tuesday nights to 15 games - their last Tuesday home defeat was the 2-0 loss to Watford in February 2013 - while Town are still unbeaten in matches refereed by Fred Graham, 11 wins and two draws.

Town climb to fifth in the table with Brighton continuing their recent slide with a 2-0 reverse at Rotherham.

The Blues, who have won back to back home league games for the first time since August, are at home again on Saturday when Preston, who won 2-1 at Bristol City this evening, are the visitors.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Fraser, Bru (Hyam 84), Sears, Murphy (Pitman 78). Unused: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, Maitland-Niles, Oar, Varney.

Leeds: Silvestri, Wootton, Bellusci, Cooper (c), Taylor, Byram, Bridcutt, Mowatt (Phillips 60), Cook (Antenucci 79), Carayol (Dallas 64), Doukara. Unused: Peacock-Farrell, Coyle, Bamba, Murphy. Referee: Fred Graham (Stanford-le-Hope). Att: 19,146 (Leeds: 1,259).

Photo: Action Images

runaround added 22:47 - Jan 12 After a very dodgy first 20 minutes I thought we played well, playing some good passing football & thoroughly deserved the win against a very decent Leeds team. Fraser was outstanding as was Bru. Thought Berra was a bit off tonight but battled away. Massive win with another home game to come Saturday, well done all.
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blues1 added 22:48 - Jan 12 Bohslegrnd. Everybody is entitled to moan after poor performances and then praise when the team play well. The fact is Saturday was awful, tonight was great. Sat was poor due to poor team selection and tactics, tonight everyone played well. Was that down to the manager? Maybe tho I predicted the team before I knew it. And who knows how the game would have panned out without Leeds going ahead so early. That we'll never know. All we do know is it was a great performance and a well deserved win. Boh, I think if people are complaining week in week out and never praising when it's due, u have every right to criticise them but not if they they do both.

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PJH added 22:50 - Jan 12 The best of both worlds,a performance and a win,although for me the win is the most important. Everybody happy(or should be). Fraser a constant threat and Skuse outstanding. Whatever Chambo can and cannot do as a fullback,there can be nobody better rthan him at this level for getting in to the box and on the end of crosses. This squad has got the togetherness and determination of last years squad plus just a little more quality and depth. A good time to be supporting our club and our Manager.

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Dissboyitfc added 22:52 - Jan 12 I have been very critical of MM with i believe plenty of justification but tonight the only thing due is praise, End of!
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GTRKing added 22:55 - Jan 12 I tonight we played well after about 20 mins or so... Sears/Frazer were brilliant I thought Douglas had a poor game & didn't look himself (Hopefully he will play better against Preston) Skuse/Bru played very well.. I thought Hyam did a good job Let's hope we keep this run going
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StochesStotasBlewe added 22:59 - Jan 12 Dissboy...........Spot on. And I,ts all the sweeter as I,ts against Leeds. F#####g hate them.
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bluelady added 23:00 - Jan 12 Agree that Douglas was poor maybe their goal threw him mentally? Skuse was once again brilliant and the difference was we played it through him and didn't hoof and miss our midfield, Bru is fantastic so committed with that little bit of flare, need another like him for back up/sub. Interesting to see Leeds reverting to long ball and not doing it very well, we look so good as a passing team even when it was 1-1 I felt happy as we played so well, but the late win was the icing on the cake

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bluelady added 23:00 - Jan 12 Agree that Douglas was poor maybe their goal threw him mentally? Skuse was once again brilliant and the difference was we played it through him and didn't hoof and miss our midfield, Bru is fantastic so committed with that little bit of flare, need another like him for back up/sub. Interesting to see Leeds reverting to long ball and not doing it very well, we look so good as a passing team even when it was 1-1 I felt happy as we played so well, but the late win was the icing on the cake

2

bonamassablue added 23:07 - Jan 12 Great performance from Town tonight. Quick passing, mainly to feet, positive attitude, that is the right way to win. High marks all round, I thought we got over that disastrous start and dominated the match. A great evening under the lights at Portman Road.
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VulpineBlue added 23:09 - Jan 12 That's better! I really wanted Silvestri to loose. Wasn't it hilarious the way he suddenly decided to run around after Pitman's goal Ha! Ha! The standard of refereeing has been much higher this year, but tonight was an exception. Poor officials.
4

beornioblue added 23:11 - Jan 12 All you arguing about petty stuff shut up, tonight we played football like a footballing team, it was a smile inducing performance and a well deserved 3 points even when bbc said we "snatched" a win !!! Don't think I've looked forward to a game as much as I am Preston in Saturday , play like that like itfc can and its another 3 points with a team building momentum and looking like a strong run !! Please Mr Evans already be allocating funds to buy Fraser has I think he is pivotal and is really showing a passion for the blue

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bohslegend added 23:11 - Jan 12 Blues1 I've had my say so this is where I'll leave it. Yes, absolutely everyone has the right to an opinion on team selection and performance, I wouldn't dare take that from anyone. My issue is with those on here is the glass half empty individuals who mock me and others who choose to remain positive when the chips are down but then start acting hurt when anyone dares give it back. I think my attitude is and always has been - it's a marathon not a sprint. The manager is thinking longer term than any fan of the club. That's his job. He deserves credit for turning the club around, but it has taken time and to be truthful we're only half way back in the right direction even now. He has deliberately built the team in his own image - tough, resolute and hard to beat - these are not ugly traits, but if we want to develop into a flair team it's vital that we build it on that solid foundation otherwise we turn into Portsmouth or MK Dons - neat and tidy when things are in our favour but always liable for being bullied out of games and ultimately never competing at the right end. On the other hand I'd give Bournemouth credit for their success, solid at the back, able to mix it too, and on top of all that a bit of movement and passing but they did spend some money and it did take time. I firmly believe that's where we are heading under this manager.

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billlm added 23:12 - Jan 12 Just a really good game tonight
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Keaneish added 23:12 - Jan 12 bohslegend - I think you'll find that hypocrisy is calling other people self righteous! Again, personal attacks on individuals because they don't agree with you. That's called egocentric. Love that quote from Evans, Harryfrombath.
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ChestnutSe added 23:12 - Jan 12 Brilliant result and Kate goal. Was confident we would win as we were dominating Leeds and you could see their defenders visibly tiring as the game entered its final minutes. I thought Sears and Douglas had quieter games by their usual standards but a good team performance all round. Smith, Berra and Skuse were outstanding and two very good assists by Fraser, we defo missed him and Bru when they were injured. So good to have them both back. Hope Bish can recover before the end of the season as well.

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TractorBeezer added 23:12 - Jan 12 Fantastic! We stuffed the Damned United! Things are getting good again. Wishing you a speedy recovery Kevin.
3

blues1 added 23:12 - Jan 12 How was Douglas poor. Other than the mistake for the goal he had a good game. But guess he's one of those players that people on here just love to criticise.
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ChestnutSe added 23:12 - Jan 12 Kate = late
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sixtyblue added 23:19 - Jan 12 Great performance tonight.pity next season supporters inJJ stand will be missing -being chucked out of their seats with no thought asto the many seasons they have been season ticket holders.What a way to treat loyalty.Beware Ipswich Town this is going to cost you dearly in support.
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BanksterDebtSlave added 23:20 - Jan 12 To the anti McCarthy brigade.....could it just be that he knows how to get results with the players available? No Fraser for 3 months, no Bru for ages, still no Bishop! Next time a result doesn't go our way maybe just sit on your typing fingers for a few hours! For every Eddie Howe there are 20 young managers trying to play exciting football and failing! Be careful what you wish for. Most importantly though, tonight was Bloody Marvelous!

2

terencekevindavis added 23:22 - Jan 12 Can't wait to get to work tomorrow - West Yorkshire has been full of the lily white loud mouths bragging about what they're going to do to us. Speaking as a founder member of the Elland Road bottle dodgers (never been back,never will) doing the double is right up there.
2

jas0999 added 23:24 - Jan 12 Good result, much improved performance. Pleasing. Thought the first twenty minutes was fairly poor, but we then improved, with the second half one of our best home showings of the season. A thoroughly deserved win. Still think now is the time to add some quality to the squad, particularly as we know many of the fringe players are not good enough. I'd still love to see that creative goal scorer in the middle. I still don't like the Skuse/Douglas partnership at home. In fact I remain unconvinced with Douglas full stop. Overall though many good performances, although Murphy quiet. For me, Bart looked more composed on Saturday than Gerken did tonight. Otherwise good stuff!

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carsey added 23:25 - Jan 12 Frazer is superb absolute diamond in this division bet Eddie Howe can't wait to get him back to Bournemouth for next season what ever division they are in. For anyone thinking Gerkin is poor be thankful we don't have the Leeds keeper playing for us - he was abject in all departments 😃 Everything that was wrong with the Portsmouth match was right tonight and I really hope we keep it going vs Preston and against Portsmouth in the replay because winning is a great habit and winning teams don't get tired.

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WhoisJimmyJuan added 23:29 - Jan 12 Bohslegend: such a sanctimonious comment. And it doesn't sound like you were there? Most critics of MM have been about his style not the results. Tonight is great and no he is not a crap manager but the football has been too often dire to watch. And remember : when we do well the McCarthy -ites are put in number. But you will acknowledge others act as a mirror for your views as you act for theirs.

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Keaneish added 23:29 - Jan 12 Banksterdebtslave - moaners aren't posting because the result doesn't go their way, they're expressing an objective view based on the standard of football that's led to that result. There's a big difference there for me.
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