Ipswich demolish Forest

Ipswich put their promotion bid back on track with a 6-0 destruction of Nottm Forest.

Joe Royle's side were rampant at Portman Road as Richard Naylor and Ian Westlake scored in the first half.

Tommy Miller netted twice in the second period, while Shefki Kuqi and Darren Bent were also on the scoresheet as they crushed a woeful Forest who had been unbeaten in six Championship games.

After three consecutive defeats, Ipswich were sluggish in the early stages with Miller wasting the only real chance as he shot tamely at Paul Gerrard.

But after a long delay following a nose injury to Gerrard, Ipswich sprung into life and took the lead on 27 minutes when Naylor stooped to head in Jim Magilton's corner after escaping his marker.

Forest were put under further pressure as David Unsworth's cross struck the post but Bent could only squeeze the rebound wide of the upright.

The visitors twice had to clear off their own line before Ipswich went further ahead on 35 minutes when Kuqi's header was palmed out by Gerrard, providing Westlake with a simple finish.

Kris Commons ambitiously shot wide twice before Chris Doig blocked Bent's shot on the line, after the striker had bundled his way past Gerrard.

In the second half, the onslaught continued with the third goal arriving on 50 minutes as Bent showed good awareness to pull the ball back for Miller, who swept home.

Gareth Taylor flashed a shot wide on a rare attack for Forest before Kuqi narrowly headed wide at the opposite end.

The fourth goal came on 64 minutes when Wes Morgan brought down Bent after being outpaced and Miller tucked away the resulting penalty.

Midway through the second half, Ipswich went nap as Bent was again involved. This time his shot was saved by Gerrard, Fabian Wilnis headed the rebound against the crossbar but Kuqi reacted quickly to snaffle the second rebound.

On 77 minutes, Bent grabbed the goal his performance deserved as he struck a shot from 20 yards which was deflected beyond the hapless Gerrard.