Ipswich took pole position in the race for Division One's second automatic
place with a 1-0 home win over Stockport tonight.
Jim Magilton's 30-yard drive in the 39th minute gave the hosts victory to take
them into clear second and three points ahead of rivals Bradford City with three
matches each left to play.
It was the Northern Irish midfielder's 50th career goal and his second for
Ipswich since joining from Sheffield Wednesday in March after a two-month loan
period.
Jamie Clapham was looking for the gap to shoot himself before laying back for
Magilton, whose long strike skidded off the surface inside Carlo Nash's
right-hand post.
Town totally dominated the game but failed to capitalise further on their
possession and ample goal opportunities.
The first half was played at a high tempo in something of a squall, making
accurate passing difficult.
Stockport had Tom Bennett back from injury and Rob Matthews left on the bench.
But they had virtually nothing to worry Ipswich, with Brett Angell heading over
from a Colin Woodthorpe corner.
Richard Wright made a good first-half save from Tony Ellis, who suddenly found
himself through thanks to Jim Gannon's defence-splitting pass.
Rising star Kieron Dyer managed a full 90 minutes in his first start since
breaking a leg at the start of last month.
Both goalkeepers had little else to do, although for Ipswich David Johnson,
Richard Naylor and Matt Holland all had efforts on target.
The hosts also appealed in vain for a penalty in the first half when Holland's
header appeared to be handled by Tony Dinning.
Teams
Ipswich: Wright, Stockwell (Petta 85), Thetis, Clapham,
Mowbray, Venus, Dyer (Cundy 90), Holland, Johnson (Naylor 73),
Scowcroft, Magilton.
Goals: Magilton 39.
Stockport: Nash, Gannon, Dinning, Smith, Flynn, McIntosh,
Cooper (Moore 46), Bennett (Matthews 85), Angell, Ellis, Woodthorpe.
Subs Not Used: Gray.
Booked: Flynn, McIntosh, Dinning.
Att: 17,056
Ref: R Styles (Waterlooville).
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