Ipswich extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches with two-goal
super-sub Darren Bent condemning patched-up Preston to a fifth consecutive
defeat in Division One.
Town's steady march up the table continues to gather momentum, but the
scoreline was a little harsh on Craig Brown's injury-hit side.
Marcus Bent headed home his fifth goal of the season to give Ipswich a slender
half-time lead, the 24-year-old striker powering home Jim Magilton's free-kick
on the half-hour mark.
His namesake Darren headed the second eight minutes after replacing Pablo
Counago in the second half and the same player killed off the Lilywhites four
minutes from time.
Preston boss Brown was chasing his first league win in five matches without 10
first-team players as the Deepdale injury crisis threatens to scupper their
season.
David Lucas, Richard Cresswell, Rob Edwards, Michael Keane and Ricardo Fuller
were all sidelined with injury - while Graham Alexander, Chris Lucketti, Dickson
Etuhu, Paul McKenna and Mark Rankine missed out through suspension.
Town boss Joe Royle opted to start with Magilton despite the midfielder's
recent calf injury, while Chris Makin returned from suspension. Martijn Reuser
was handed a place on the bench.
Ipswich, unbeaten in their last seven matches, made a flying start with
Spaniard Counago twice going close from long range without testing debutant
Jonathan Gould in the Preston goal.
The home side dominated the opening exchanges. But wing-back Brian
Barry-Murphy provided the visitors with a useful outlet, and his crosses caused
alarm in the Ipswich box.
It was not until the 22nd minute that Preston had their first shot on goal,
David Healy's 20-yarder curling wide.
But Ipswich continued to press, and Preston defender Marlon Broomes did well
to block Tommy Miller's goalbound 25-yard effort.
Town then took the lead when Magilton swung in a free-kick from the left, and
Marcus Bent rose highest to head powerfully home from close range.
Gould, Preston's new signing from Celtic, saved well when parrying a fierce
Counago shot - and another Miller effort was charged down by Colin Murdock as
Ipswich looked to extend their advantage.
Brian O'Neil performed more defensive heroics for Preston to deny Counago
again as shots rained in on Gould's goal.
Marcus Bent almost doubled his tally immediately after the restart, but Gould
was alert to his 25-yard shot and held on.
Preston then enjoyed their best spell. Tyrone Mears' cross was scrambled
clear, as was Eddie Lewis' subsequent corner. Thomas Gaardsoe then denied Pawel
Abbott on the end of another dangerous Lee Cartwright cross.
Ipswich goalkeeper Andy Marshall produced comfortable saves to deny Lee
Cartwright and O'Neil, both with efforts from the edge of the box.
Eric Skora was next to show for the visitors, his drilled right-foot 20-yarder
blocked by Hermann Hreidarsson - and Murdock headed narrowly wide from another
Lewis corner as Preston looked to get back on level terms.
But the Tractor Boys delivered a hammer blow in the 73rd minute.
Royle had just sent on Darren Ambrose for Magilton, and from his corner
Hreidarsson flicked on for Darren Bent to head beyond Gould to make it 2-0.
With their tails up Ipswich looked to kill the game, Ambrose's scorcher
blocked by Murdock and Darren Bent's stinging 20-yard volley well held by
Gould.
But Royle's side settled the issue with four minutes remaining when Darren
Bent drilled home his second and Ipswich's third low into the bottom right-hand
corner.
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