EURO crusading Ipswich Town skipper Matt Holland defiantly declared today: "I have no doubt that we can go to Torpedo Moscow and win the second leg."Holland and his team-mates had to be content with a 1-1 UEFA Cup first round first leg draw with the Russian visitors at Portman Road last night.

By Dave Allard

EURO crusading Ipswich Town skipper Matt Holland defiantly declared today: "I have no doubt that we can go to Torpedo Moscow and win the second leg."

Holland and his team-mates had to be content with a 1-1 UEFA Cup first round first leg draw with the Russian visitors at Portman Road last night.

But Republic of Ireland international midfield man Holland insisted: "I'm extremely confident about the outcome of the return over there next Thursday.

"We had by far the most of the play in this first game. In fact, we ran them ragged at times. We showed that we were by far the better team. I really feel that we have what it takes to do the right job in the away game.

"And I think we'll be helped by the fact that Torpedo have a big pitch out there. That will suit us perfectly. We have the quality in our side to finish the job, even away."

Dmitry Vyazmikin, the Torpedo striker, gave his side an early lead after a movement set about by a wayward pass by Town's young central defender Titus Bramble.

Bramble made amends five minutes from the end by getting the richly-deserved equaliser.

Town striker Marcus Stewart missed a first-half penalty as he sent a left foot shot wide.

Stewart admitted: "From a team point of view it's disappointing as we could have won by two or three goals. From a personal point of view it was of course very disappointing to miss that penalty. I normally practice about 20 to 30 penalties a day. I generally miss about one in ten.

"It was a real pressure situation in this match, but I have no real excuses. I felt confident that I would score. There were no demons in my head or anything like that. I stepped up knowing where I was going to put the ball. But sadly it didn't come off."A 21,201 crowd saw Town's first European game for 19 years and a nationwide audience watched it live on BBC1.

Terry Butcher, the former Town and England skipper who was one of the BBC studio analysts, said: "Town gave Torpedo plenty to think about and deserved more goals. They can still make a job of it in the second leg."

The Blues showed two changes in their line-up last night from the side that also drew 1-1 at home to Blackburn last Sunday.

New Spanish striker Pablo Counago made his first start up front in place of Alun Armstrong, ruled out following concussion.

Jermaine Wright was recalled to the starting line-up, taking the place of Martijn Reuser in midfield.

Last night's draw means that Ipswich maintain the distinction of never having lost a home game in Europe.