Win, lose or draw - this game was always going to go down as the biggest match in Morecambe's history.

As it was, Ipswich ended the Shrimps' gallant FA Cup challenge with a thoroughly professional display in front of a crowd of 5,923 at Christie Park.

That is not to say that Morecambe did not play their part. Indeed for much of the match they competed as equals, only Ipswich's superior ball skills - which have seen off many more vaunted opponents this season - making the difference.

Marcus Stewart was a class apart all afternoon however, and his 14th-minute strike put Ipswich on course for victory before Alun Armstrong and Jermaine Wright ended any lingering hopes of an upset.

It was, as club secretary Neil Marsdin admitted in his programme notes, "a day we have all dreamed about for years, a day that in all honesty I doubted would ever arrive".

Morecambe had made it to the third round of the Cup before, but a 1-0 defeat by Weymouth in 1962 paled in comparison with the visit of a team from the top flight in English football.

With Ipswich fourth in the Premiership and Morecambe in the lower half of the Conference, this meeting represented the biggest gap between all the clubs paired together in the third round. The Shrimps, in this case, being the minnows.

In the crowd was 'Wiggy' Threlfall, Eric Morecambe's cousin, who has followed the Shrimps in five decades. Also watching was Jim Bowen, presenter of cult classic TV show Bullseye, who lives in the Lancashire seaside town and succeeded Eric Morecambe as the club's honorary president.

Morecambe were skippered by David McKearney, the ex-Bolton, Crewe and Wigan defender who is now a chartered physio. Postman Andy Lyons and trainee social worker Andy Fensome were also in manager Jim Harvey's starting line-up.

Ipswich boss George Burley fielded a full-strength line-up, with Stewart, joint leading scorer in the Premiership with 13 league goals, spearheading the attack.

Stewart took only 14 minutes to make his presence felt. Strike partner Armstrong burst into the Morecambe box and though a superb tackle by Lyons dispossessed him, Stewart seized onto the loose ball, went past the stranded keeper Mark Smith and finished expertly.

The goal sparked Morecambe into life and Mark Quayle had a good shout for a penalty turned down by referee Uriah Rennie.

Steve Walters showed why he won England honours at schoolboy, youth and Under-21 level in his Crewe days with some skilful play in the centre of midfield, and two long-range strikes which tested keeper Richard Wright.

Ryan-Zico Black - his dad was a Brazil fan - will long regret missing his chance of FA Cup fame. The left-winger received possession unmarked, lurking on the far post, but he miscontrolled and Wright was out fast to smother the danger.

Still, it was an achievement in itself to make it to half-time only a goal down after Smith was called into action to make top-notch saves from Jamie Scowcroft's header and Martijn Reuser's volley.

"What do you think of it so far?" Eric Morecambe would have asked. Pretty good, would have been the answer.

The second half started promisingly for the home side as Quayle, a former Everton trainee, blasted high over the bar from 20 yards.

Stewart was not content to rest on his laurels and a powerful right-footed effort from distance looked to have beaten Smith but crashed into the hoardings beside the goal.

Reuser then drew catcalls from around the ground with a glaring miss after Armstrong's good work had presented the Dutchman with an open goal.

Armstrong had been creative all afternoon but he turned finisher in the 65th minute. Fabian Wilnis crossed after a corner routine and Armstrong rose highest to crash a header into the top corner.

It was game over, and though Harvey brought on three substitutes, Ipswich were too canny an outfit to make any slips.

Armstrong almost added to his tally with a side-footed shot from the edge of the box which rolled agonisingly wide.

Wright made it 3-0 with 15 minutes remaining. Gary Croft attacked down the left and from his cross Wright directed a looping shot over Smith.

There was still time for John Norman to almost bring some sunshine to Morecambe's day but his volley bounced wide.

Morecambe's big day was over - Ipswich had been just too wise.

Teams:

Morecambe: Mark Smith, Fensome, Lyons (McGuire 68), McKearney, Hardiker, Walters, Thompson, Drummond, Quayle (Rigoglioso 66), Norman, Black (Eastwood 67).

Subs Not Used: Murphy, Banks.

Ipswich: Richard Wright, Wilnis, Croft, Bramble, Hreidarsson, Holland, Jermaine Wright, Scowcroft (Magilton 45), Stewart (Logan 76), Armstrong, Reuser (Clapham 56).

Subs Not Used: Salmon, Brown.

Booked: Bramble.

Goals: Stewart 14, Armstrong 65, Jermaine Wright 75.

Att: 5,923

Ref: U Rennie (Sheffield).