Ipswich Town ended their three-match losing League run at the expense of
relegation strugglers Port Vale.
A cracking right foot angled drive from Jamie Clapham after 40 minutes settled
the points.
The left wing-back cut in to beat Paul Musselwhite from outside the penalty
area for his first goal since being signed from Tottenham last season.
Musselwhite saved battling Vale from a far heavier defeat as the Potteries
side produced plenty of dogged defence for new manager Brian Horton.
Ipswich enjoyed most of the play and went close in the 28th minute with a free
kick from Jim Magilton, on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, that forced a splendid
save from Musselwhite.
This resulted from a foul for which Stewart Talbot was booked for pulling down
Ipswich striker David Johnson just outside the penalty area.
Marcus Bent might have given Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright a greater test
in the 50th minute but he tried a chip from the edge of the penalty area instead
of a shot.
In the 56th minute Wright made a superb reflex save to tip away a header from
Bent from a cross by Talbot. It was the only time Vale looked much like
scoring.
On the hour Clapham almost added a second for Ipswich after a shot from Fabian
Wilnis had been deflected. Magilton then fired a 25-yard drive inches too high.
In the 71st minute Marlon Harewood, on loan from Nottingham Forest, sent
Kieron Dyer through on the right but Musselwhite left his line to block the
shot.
From the corner Musselwhite smothered a close range header from Tony Mowbray
on his line.
Vale tried three substitutes but it made little difference as Ipswich kept
forcing the pace without being able to find a lethal finish.
Dyer fell heavily in the box when challenged by Vale teenager Anthony Gardner
but the referee ignored penalty appeals. Ipswich kept pressing until the end
with Wilnis going close in the closing stages.
Ipswich's powerful French defender Manuel Thetis picked up his 12th booking in
21 games for a foul on Martin Foyle.
It was harsh on a player who must already appear before the FA Disciplinary
Committee. He was one of six bookings in the match.
Teams:
Ipswich: Wright, Wilnis, Thetis, Clapham, Mowbray, Venus, Dyer,
Holland, Johnson (Naylor 89), Harewood, Magilton.
Subs Not Used: Petta, Stockwell.
Booked: Thetis, Harewood.
Goals: Clapham 40.
Port Vale: Musselwhite, Talbot (Burns 83), Tankard, Bogie, Aspin,
Gardner, Rougier (Corden 77), McGlinchey, Bent, Foyle,
Russell (Beadle 64).
Booked: Talbot, Foyle, Tankard, Aspin.
Att: 16,328
Ref: M Pierce (Portsmouth).
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