Ipswich Town 1 Hull City 1: Simpson issues quick reminder to Pearson as Hull keep hopes alive

Hull had looked to be facing defeat following Jason Scotland’s 58th-minute opener but Simpson – making his first appearance since January – nodded home Corry Evans’s centre late on to extend his team’s unbeaten run to eight league outings.

It marked a dramatic return to first-team action for the former Arsenal man, who has struggled to feature under Pearson following the transfer-window arrivals of Matty Fryatt and Aaron Maclean.

But it was the summer signing who earned the plaudits from Pearson, who said: “It was a clever header for the goal, with his back to goal. He had a lot to do, to manipulate the ball like that.

“Jay’s had a frustrating time. He’s been out of the side and it was a good response for him.

“He’s had to be patient and probably feels he hasn’t had a fair crack of the whip, but it illustrates that you need a squad ethic to be successful.

“It’s not been easy for him but aside from his goal, when he went on his build-up play was good and I’m very pleased for him because he probably felt he had a point to prove.”

Pearson was happy to have taken a point away from Portman Road after the hosts had the better of large parts of the encounter.

The result means Hull remain seven points shy of the play-offs and Pearson said: “We need players who can have an impact when the side isn’t playing as well as we’d like. We’ve still got a lot to do but it’s important psychologically to stay in the play-off race.”

Ipswich Town: Fulop, Edwards, McAuley, Delaney, Kennedy, Drury, Leadbitter, Healy, Martin (Civelli 83), Scotland (Priskin 80), Wickham. Unused substitutes: Lee-Barrett, Peters, Hyam, Smith, O’Dea.

Hull City: Guzan, Rosenior, Gerrard, Chester, Dawson, Belaid (Simpson 78), Evans, Koren, Stewart (Devitt 90), Fryatt, Mclean (Barmby 63). Unused substitutes: Duke, Hobbs, Harper, Cairney.

Referee: C Pawson (South Yorkshire).

Man of the match: Grant Leadbitter.