MUCH-TRAVELLED striker Sam Parkin scored twice to end Ipswich’s run of four games without a win. The summer signing from Swindon netted his third and fourth goals for his new club as they hit Leeds on the counter-attack and then defended resolutely.

Parkin began at Chelsea and had spells at Milwall, Wycombe, Oldham and Northampton. He led the line admirably and took his chances with aplomb.

Leeds were without striker David Healy through suspension, so Richard Cresswell, scorer of two goals last week in the Carling Cup, partnered Rob Hulse. Ipswich, rebuilding around a crop of talented youngsters, some of whom helped lift the FA Youth Cup last year, had 19-year-old Dean Bowditch up front with Parkin.

The visitors took the lead against the run of play in the 29th minute. Skipper Jim Magilton played the ball forward to Bowditch, who crossed for Parkin to head past Neil Sullivan.

Leeds should have equalised when Cresswell sent his penalty against the bar, but after 70 minutes the visitors increased their lead as Parkin drove home a low 15-yard shot.

STAR MAN: Sam Parkin (Ipswich)

Player ratings. Leeds: Sullivan 6, Kelly 7 (Blake 71min, 6), Butler 7, Gregan 7, Crainey 6, Douglas 6, Einarsson 6 (Richardson 59min, 6), Derry 7, Lewis 6, Hulse 7 (Moore 80min, 6), Cresswell 7

Ipswich: Price 7, Castro 6, De Vos 7, Naylor 8, McEveley 7, Garvan 7, Magilton 7, Horlock 6, Currie (Juan 68min, 6), Parkin 8, Bowditch 7 (Haynes 55min, 6)

Scorers: Ipswich: Parkin 29, 70

Referee: M Halsey

Attendance: 21, 676

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