FABIAN Wilnis looks forward to next Sunday's match against Cardiff City relieved that his tackle on Michael Tonge has not ruined Ipswich Town's promotion hopes.

By Elvin King

FABIAN Wilnis looks forward to next Sunday's match against Cardiff City relieved that his tackle on Michael Tonge has not ruined Ipswich Town's promotion hopes.

The Dutch full-back held his hands up following last night's 1-1 draw against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane after Ian Westlake had equalised with a vital goal which cancelled out a penalty scored by Andy Gray.

Wilnis said: “It was a definite penalty and what really annoyed me was that it was the first time that the winger had gone past me in the whole game.

“I can have no complaints and I think Michael Tonge was waiting for the tackle to come. There was definite contact and he went over.

“We have to be very pleased with the outcome of what was for us a very tough game and one that had increased in importance following our defeat against Nottingham Forest last week.

“Sheffield United had a real go at us after the interval and Kelvin Davis kept us in the match with three exceptional saves. The one he tipped on to the post was real top quality.

“As a team we were really up for it, and you could feel the desperation creeping into Sheffield's play as the game went on.

“Now it is up to us to complete the first part of the job next week when a draw against Cardiff on Sunday may even be enough.

“We will settle for that after all the ups and downs we have experienced this season and look forward to Sunday with every confidence of gaining the right result.

“It looked a clear penalty to us in the final seconds when Chris Morgan handled ahead of Darren Bent, but a 1-1 draw is a result we would have settled for at the start of the match.”

Kelvin Davis, was criticised by his manager for the first goal conceded against Forest last Saturday, but there is no doubt that the goalkeeper was in tip-top form last night.

He made one great save down by his ankles and blocked a close-range effort by Phil Jagielka. And later he took off to his left to tip a shot from the same player on to the woodwork when it was destined for the top corner.

Davis said: “I have to be pleased with the saves and pleased that I have played a part in the outcome of the game.

“We knew what we had to do and that a defeat would have been a huge blow to our hopes.

“Now we can look ahead to our game against Cardiff when we all know what we have to do and we will be up to the task.”