Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy has praised the "courage" that was shown by referee James Adcock during last night's trip to Leeds United.

With the visiting Tractor Boys leading 1-0 in the 86th minute at Elland Road, Leeds utility man Sam Byram went down inside the area under a challenge from Ipswich's Jonas Knudsen.

Despite big appeals from the home players and supporters for a penalty, Adcock waved away the protests and instead he cautioned Byram for simulation.

Replays showed that it was the correct decision from the official, which earned him praise from McCarthy, who saw his side hold on in the closing stages to record a 1-0 victory.

"I thought it was a penalty, I couldn't see anything else, but I've just seen it on the replay and it's not. Well done ref. Why he has dived I don't know because he's in on goal. He doesn't touch him," the East Anglian Daily Times quotes McCarthy as saying.

"He got it spot on and I admire his courage. It's Tuesday night, under lights, a crowd of 22,000 are baying for blood and it would have been the easiest one in the world to give. Fair play to him."

The win lifted Ipswich up to fifth in the Championship standings, with Leeds down in 14th.