Ipswich Town 1 Burnley 1

The fledgling Northern Ireland international, the immediate beneficiary of Gray's foot injury, faces the prospect of a good run in the Clarets side if he delivers.

And boy, didn't he deliver! With one fantastic left foot shot, the talented 19-year-old went some way to show he can perhaps grasp the goalscoring mantle in Gray's absence.

Ipswich manager Jim Magilton, an admirer of his fellow countryman, joked that Lafferty will never hit a better shot in his life.

Unfortunately for Lafferty and the Clarets, his moment of glory with three minutes of normal time remaining did not ultimately prove a match-winning one.

For Ipswich denied Steve Cotterill's side three points with a controversial penalty right at the death.

Former Claret Alan Lee's injury-time spot-kick salvaged a draw for the Tractor Boys, after Gifton Noel-Williams handled inside his own box.

Noel-Williams looked to have been pushed as the ball struck his arm, while Cotterill insists the corner leading up to Town's penalty should never have been given.

It was a gut-wrenching feeling for Burnley to miss out on all three points, in such fashion, in the final few moments.

But a share of the spoils was a fair outcome in a contest which the Clarets dominated in the first-half and Ipswich after the break.

The Tractor Boys, however, must be sick to the back teeth of Burnley's up-and-coming rising stars.

Twice in the space of a month, the Clarets young pack have twisted the knife with late goals.

First it was Irish teenager Chris McCann, burying a last-gasp winner at Turf Moor.

On this occasion, Lafferty bulged Town's net with a searing 25-yarder that proved unstoppable for goalkeeper Lewis Price.

It was a terrific moment for Lafferty.

With 10-goal Gray out for an expected eight weeks with three broken metatarsal bones in his right foot, the door is wide open for Lafferty to augment his reputation as one of the most promising young strikers outside the Premiership.

On the international scene, Northern Ireland fans have taken Lafferty to their hearts on the back of his encouraging performances in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, entwined with their demand for a big targetman to work alongside David Healy.

He is also regarded highly among Clarets supporters and that popularity will only grow if he can chip in a few more goals, coupled with his usual hard work and determination, while Gray sits on the sidelines.

Lafferty was one of two Burnley alterations from the side that beat Leeds in midweek, with McCann also back in the starting fold in place of Micah Hyde.

It was evident in the opening minutes that both sides were to struggle stringing together a crisp passing game on a soft Portman Road surface.

The energy-sapping pitch was like a patchwork quilt as players regularly tore up chunks of turf.

At one point, Jon Harley could have been forgiven for thinking he was on a golf fairway as he set about repairing divots with two large clumps.

It wasn't until the final five minutes that the drama really unfolded in Suffolk, although both teams had equal share of decent opportunities.

With two minutes on the clock, ex-Burnley striker Lee directed his header just wide from Alex Bruce's high hanging cross.

But Burnley quickly took the ascendency, with lively wideman Steve Jones and Wade Elliott effective on the flanks.

Following excellent work with Jones, Lafferty burst into Town's box for Burnley's first real attempt on goal.

But the youngster delivered a tame finish into Price's grateful arms.

Three corners were forced in a strong 10-minute spell and, from the latter, former Ipswich defender John McGreal powered straight at Price.

A swift break orchestrated between Noel-Williams and Elliott then presented Jones with a good chance on the egde of the Blues box, but his effort looped horribly over the bar.

Time and again, Burnley happily profited from the home side's sloppy passing to enact quick raids.

All that was missing was the killer finish. Burnley were flummoxed as to how they failed to break the deadlock following another swift move down the left.

Fleet-footed Jones delivered a teasing delivery for Lafferty, whose goalbound flick somehow struck Price and skipper Jason De Vos. Elliott's follow-up effort was then hacked clear.

Only after the half-hour mark did Ipswich stir into life as Billy Clarke's 25-yard drive had Danny Coyne at full stretch.

Coyne, impressive again in his second match back after 14 months on the sidelines, was called into another vital save to deny Sylvain Legwinski from point-blank range.

Four minutes after the interval, the Frenchman ghosted behind McGreal to head Gavin Williams' pinpoint cross, but Coyne plucked the ball out of the air to rest on the goal-line.

Lee then shovelled a 10-yard effort horribly wide, with just Coyne to beat, after racing clear of Wayne Thomas.

The Clarets survived under the pressure and came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock at the other end.

Noel-Williams headed over from close range when a lighter touch would have probably deceived Price, another McGreal header was hacked off the line, while Jones flashed a low effort straight at Price.

Lafferty switched to the right, with Jones moving into the centre, when Micah Hyde came off the bench to replace Elliott.

And with four minutes of normal time left, Lafferty left his mark with a stunning strike.

From Coyne's clearance, Noel-Williams, Jones and James O'Connor got involved before Lafferty took hold of possession 30 yards out.

The teenager was shown a sighter of goal and, with his weaker left foot, Lafferty made no mistake with an arrowing drive to Price's right.

It looked as though Burnley had took the points, but the drama continued when referee Keith Hill penalised Noel-Williams for handball as the striker jumped in a melee of players inside the box.

After Clarets protests, Lee kept his cool to send his spot-kick into the bottom corner.

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