Shaun Newton's spectacular first half strike fired Charlton to their first Wembley final for 11 years in front of a capacity crowd at the Valley.
The Addicks took a one-goal advantage into the second leg of the play-off
semi-final after a bad-tempered win at Portman Road.
And Newton's sixth goal of the season after 35 minutes proved more than enough
to book the South London side's trip to the Twin Towers where they will be just
90 minutes away from Premiership football.
The odds were always against Ipswich, facing a Charlton side whose last home
defeat was way back in September last year and who had gone nine matches - 13
and a half hours - without conceding a goal.
And despite enjoying plenty of possession in the second half Charlton keeper
Sasa Ilic only had one real save of note to make throughout the game.
Ipswich made just one change from Sunday's side, Jamie Clapham paying the
ultimate price for his crucial own goal at Portman Road by being dropped down to
the bench, Dutchman Gus Uhlenbeek taking his place.
Charlton's hopes had suffered a major blow before kick off with the news that
leading scorer Clive Mendonca was missing with a back injury, Steve Jones
replacing him alongside Mark Bright.
Alan Curbishley's side were also without defender Danny Mills serving a one
match ban for his sending off in the first leg.
But they shrugged off those setbacks to overcome some spirited resistance from
Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright who had kept the home side at bay for 35
minutes.
There was nothing he could do about Newton's strike however, the midfielder
cutting across the edge of the penalty before unleashing an unstoppable shot
into the top left hand corner.
Wright had earlier pulled off two superb saves to keep Ipswich's faint dreams
of Wembley alive.
Mark Bowen's through ball was too far ahead of Jones and Jason Cundy looked
set to clear.
But the skipper completely missed his kick to let in Bright who struck a low
first time shot that Wright got down to quickly with his right hand.
His second save was even better after a well-worked free-kick from Charlton.
Neil Heaney's centre was met at the back post by Eddie Youds, Richard Rufus
flicked on again to Bright who saw his overhead kick from six yards brilliantly
turned away.
Ipswich had had marginally the better of the tight opening minutes, Bobby
Petta claiming a penalty after he went down under Bowen's challenge but referee
Eddie Wolstenholme was unimpressed.
Petta had been booked two minutes earlier but the game thankfully showed few
signs of descending into the ill-tempered clash of Sunday.
Kieron Dyer fired just over the bar after 10 minutes before the home side's
first meaningful attack, Newton played through by Keith Jones but his first
touch took him wide and Wright came out to put the midfielder off.
Bright then wasted a free header from Heaney's corner after 15 minutes before
Charlton almost handed Ipswich the lead on 28 minutes.
Kinsella's risky attempted back pass came back off one of his team-mates and
straight to Alex Mathie. His shot was beautifully struck from 20 yards but Ilic
was equal to the test and tipped acrobatically over.
Steve Jones went close to a second just seconds before half-time but his right
foot shot was inches too high.
Ipswich were now forced to chase the game and with Charlton defending deep,
they pinned the home side back in their own half for long periods.
But for all their possession they struggled to create many clear cut chances
as the Addicks demonstrated exactly why they had kept eight consecutive clean
sheets.
David Johnson just failed to get a touch on Uhlenbeek's right wing cross and
when he did make contact with a flying header it was straight at Ilic.
Johnson then hit a low drive too close to the keeper before George Burley made
his second substitution, bringing on James Scowcroft for Alex Mathie.
But it was Charlton who went closest to adding a second, Youds header well
held low down by Wright on his line.
Teams
Charlton: Ilic, Barness, Bowen, K. Jones, Rufus, Youds, Newton,
Kinsella, S. Jones (Mortimer 82), Bright, Heaney.
Subs Not Used: Allen, Brown.
Booked: K. Jones.
Goals: Newton 36.
Ipswich: Wright, Stockwell (Sonner 36), Taricco, Dyer, Venus,
Cundy, Uhlenbeek, Holland, Johnson, Mathie (Scowcroft 61), Petta.
Subs Not Used: Clapham.
Booked: Petta.
Att: 15,585
Ref: E K Wolstenholme (Blackburn)
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