Millwall made it four wins from five as they outfought Ipswich in a promotion
battle at Portman Road.
The two sides were level on points before the game but a Neil Harris brace and
a Darren Ward goal separated the sides as the Lions claimed a fantastic away
victory.
The hosts, who named an unchanged side despite last week's derby defeat, had
started well with striker Shefki Kuqi having the game's first chance, his header
easily saved by Millwall's Andy Marshall. The Ipswich keeper is on loan with the
Lions but received clearance to play against his employers.
Millwall's Mark McCammon, coming into the starting line-up for Harris, then
had the visitors' first effort after seven minutes but Kelvin Davies saved.
Ipswich continued to attack with Kuqi heading wide in the 17th minute before
Ian Westlake and Tommy Miller went close.
McCammon and Drissa Diallo were then embroiled in an ugly clash of heads which
resulted in both being substituted within the first half hour.
It was a bitter blow for McCammon who made his first start since a serious
knee injury in the final match of last season but had to be replaced by Harris.
But McCammon's replacement enjoyed much better luck, opening the scoring just
two minutes after coming on.
Daniele Dichio provided the assist for Harris to score his seventh of the
season after 29 minutes, giving Davis no chance from close range.
Harris was then involved again as the visitors extended their lead after 36
minutes. The striker crossed from the right and defender Ward headed home.
The home side tried to hit back through Darren Bent but the midfielder was
unable to spark a comeback, firing over twice from inside the box.
But it got worse for Ipswich after the break as Harris made it three within
three minutes of the restart. Paul Ifill played the ball forward for Harris to
head goalwards and the ball crossed the line before it was cleared by the home
defence.
Having also lost Georges Santos through injury moments before the break, Town
looked dead and buried, but Bent finally found his range to give them hope on 52
minutes.
Kuqi was replaced by Dean Bowditch at the break and the youngster crossed from
the left for Bent to turn the ball in from close range.
Martin Reuser, who replaced Santos, then shot wide from distance before
Marshall saved from Bowditch on 65 minutes.
Ipswich remained on the offensive but failed to snatch a second. Miller fired
wide then a Jermaine Wright effort went over the crossbar. But the Millwall
defence stood strong and held out for the three points.
Teams
Ipswich Davis, Wilnis, Santos (Reuser 45), Diallo (Naylor 30),
Richards, Wright, Magilton, Miller, Westlake,
Kuqi (Bowditch 45), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Price, Mitchell.
Booked: Wilnis, Bowditch.
Goals: Bent 52.
Millwall Marshall, Muscat, Lawrence, Ward, Ryan,
Ifill (Dunne 56), Elliott, Cahill, Livermore,
McCammon (Harris 27), Dichio.
Subs Not Used: Gueret, Roberts, Sweeney.
Booked: Dunne, Muscat, Livermore, Dichio.
Goals: Harris 30, Ward 37, Harris 48.
Att: 23,582
Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).
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