Frustration was written all over the face of Kieran McKenna after Ipswich Town were held to a 1–1 draw by Leicester City

“Not Good Enough” McKenna Furious as Ipswich Denied ‘Two Clear Penalties’ in Leicester Draw

The heated EFL Championship encounter at Portman Road saw both teams battling intensely for crucial points as the promotion race continues to tighten.

Ipswich were forced to respond after falling behind but showed impressive resilience to fight their way back into the match. However, McKenna believes his side should have had the opportunity to complete their first comeback victory of the season if key refereeing decisions had gone their way.

Speaking after the match, the Ipswich boss did not hide his frustration.

“We’ve looked at it, and from where we stand there are two clear penalties,” McKenna said. “The referee says he didn’t see it clearly. For me, that’s not good enough in a game of this importance.”

The incidents in question occurred during periods of heavy Ipswich pressure, with players and fans alike appealing loudly for spot-kicks that never came. McKenna suggested the moments were decisive in preventing his side from turning the match completely in their favour.

“We responded well after going behind and showed the character we want from this group,” he added. “But when you have moments like that and they’re not given, it’s very difficult to accept.”

Despite the disappointment, McKenna also acknowledged the effort from his players, praising their determination and attitude in a demanding contest against a strong Leicester side.

For Ipswich, the draw means another point added to their tally, but the sense around the club was that it could and perhaps should have been more.

As the Championship season heads toward its decisive run-in, McKenna will be hoping the fine margins that went against his team at Portman Road do not prove costly in the race for promotion.