Ipswich leave it late

Teenager's last-gasp strike gives Town the points

Last updated: 13th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ipswich leave it late

Wickham: Last-gasp winner

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Ipswich secured a crucial 1-0 success over relegation rivals Scunthorpe thanks to Connor Wickham's stoppage-time winner.

The teenager struck with virtually the last kick of the game to ensure Ipswich did not pay for missing a host of chances during the game.

Both sides finished the game a man light after Damien Delaney saw red shortly Cliff Byrne was dismissed for the visitors.

Just when it looked like it might be Ipswich's 18th draw of the season Wickham's fine solo effort gave Roy Keane's side all three points.

Captain Jon Walters had the first shot on goal in the second minute, but saw his effort clear the crossbar from 25 yards before Daryl Murphy went close for the hosts.

Recalled

Pablo Counago was recalled to the starting line-up and after he broke free down the left he picked out Murphy lurking inside the area but the on-loan Sunderland man dragged his shot wide.

Scunthorpe striker Paul Hayes was played in down the left and he found Matt Sparrow running into the box. Sparrow lashed a shot goalwards with his left foot but saw goalkeeper Brian Murphy make an excellent reflex save to turn the ball away for a corner.

Keane's side continued to press and hit the crossbar in the 41st minute.

An Owen Garvan corner was cleared back out wide, and when Garvan whipped in a second cross Counago rose highest to flick a header over goalkeeper Joe Murphy but onto the face of the crossbar.

Hayes was denied by Brian Murphy before the break before Daryl Murphy hobbled off with an injury to be replaced by Wickham.

Garvan then crossed for Walters to loop a header toward the top corner but Joe Murphy back-pedalled to tip over, with Gareth McAuley heading wide from the following corner.

Block

Counago then nipped in after some defensive hesitation to round Joe Murphy but he took too long to get his shot away and Byrne was able to block on the line.

It was fine work from Byrne but he then blotted his copybook in the 69th minute when he was shown a straight red card for body checking Jack Colback as he looked to run onto a through ball behind the defence.

The decision looked harsh and it was not long before Delaney was also dismissed by referee Pat Miller.

Substitute Jonathan Forte knocked the ball past the former Hull defender and after he stepped across to bring the striker down Miller showed him a straight red card.

The game looked set for a stalemate but Wickham had other ideas.

A long goal-kick was flicked on to him and after holding off two defenders the teenager steered a shot wide of Joe Murphy and into the corner.