‘I love his character’ - Mark Bonner hails Cambridge United striker Joe Ironside as birthday boy gets equaliser against Ipswich Town

Joe Ironside emerged battered and bruised but with a birthday to remember after getting Cambridge United's late equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town.

The striker celebrated turning 28 in style by popping up with a close range header in the 88th minute to complete United's comeback from two goals down with his sixth effort of the season.

Ironside is becoming a talisman for the U's, with his hard-working approach and never-say-die attitude being a big hit with supporters.

And he has carried on where he left off last season, but has had to do so in the face of some roughhouse tactics, which was particularly to the fore from the Ipswich defenders.

“He is brilliant. He’s a top player. He’s exactly what we want as a No 9 in our club. I think the supporters love the rough and ready ones," said United head coach Mark Bonner.

“I just wish he would get a few more free kicks.

“You don’t expect all of them because you have a proper tussle, centre-half v centre forward.

“You know you’re not going to get them all but some of them he just gets beaten up. He is just bruised and battered but he will hobble in on Monday and crack on to do it all again for us on Tuesday because that is what he does.

“I love his character. I think his work ethic is great. He is a constant threat, and a pest. He can play up against two big centre-halves and cause them a big problem, occupying them.

“I’m not surprised that he has made the step up, and is doing what he has done for us.

“He is a really important part of our team. I’m really pleased with him and a lot of the lads with how they have coped with this step up so far."

United's bench is not renowned as being one to constantly be in the ear of the referee during games, but they were clearly irked by the lack of free kicks awarded for fouls on Ironside by the Ipswich defenders.

On numerous occasions, Bonner, Gary Waddock and Barry Corr wandered over to raise their protestations with the fourth official.

“You don’t mind a bit of rough and tumble, that’s the game," said Bonner.

"You want it to be physical and give as good as you get, but there are one or two where you think, ‘crikey, come on, if there’s not a foul there then I don’t know what a foul is’.

“Then you get really frustrated when some really soft ones get given. It is what it is, you can’t control it, you just have to deal with what comes and make the most of it.

“He doesn’t want any [protection] in some respects. He is not asking for it. He likes a bit of contact and he will give as good as he gets so you don’t mind the fact that sometimes you are going to see a really physical battle between - it’s a bit old school in that sense.

“He loves a scrap, but you would hope that there might be a couple that get given his way and they weren’t today. It’s a bit frustrating but there you go, I’m sure it will happen again another 30 times this season!”

Bonner was really pleased with United’s display in the second half, when they took the game to the visitors.

Ipswich had gone 2-0 up through goals from Sone Aluko, but were given hope just before half time through James Brophy’s first goal for the club.

And they completed the comeback through Ironside’s header.

“I thought we were excellent in the second half, and had a real good threat,” said Bonner.

“I think the turning point in the game for us is the goal before half-time. It just gave us a real confidence and belief that it can happen in the second half.

“We found the first 35 minutes of that game really difficult, against a team that played last week, and are sharp, confident and are finding a real rhythm in their game.

“We were probably a little bit edgy and nervous in the atmosphere, and didn’t really commit to a game where we made the pitch big to play, or played with good quality direct, with too many backwards passes.

“The goal comes off of a move where we hit the front of the team. They did that really well. Joey, Wes and Shilow do great and then Brophs finishes it off, and that’s a real turning point for us.

“Our first 30 minute form has to improve, because we’re making the games too hard for ourselves, but our record coming from behind and scoring late goals is outstanding, which is a great quality to have.

“Lots to improve and do, but in a packed stadium on a great day, to take a point is massive for us.”

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