Michael Johansen's brilliant strike six minutes from time gave Bolton a
crucial advantage in their play-off semi-final showdown with Ipswich.
Midfielder Johansen advanced towards the box, played a one-two with striker
Bob Taylor, and then rifled home an unstoppable strike past Richard Wright.
It was the least Colin Todd's side deserved as they had the better chances of
a frantic first leg encounter at the Reebok Stadium.
Per Frandsen saw his powerful goalbound header well stopped by the England
under-21 international at the end of the first half and Neil Cox rattled the bar
seven minutes after the break.
George Burley's side now have it all to do in the second leg at Portman Road
on Wednesday if they are to avoid a third successive play-off heartbreak.
Town also had several chances but lacked conviction when they were in front of
goal.
David Johnson was particularly wasteful, while substitute Richard Naylor could
not find the target even when one on one with Steve Banks.
It was Ipswich's third defeat by Bolton this season and they must be more
clinical on Wednesday against a side who finished the season 10 points behind
them in the table.
The first half was played out at a frantic pace, with neither side able to
dominate possession or play the fluent football they are capable of.
Ipswich forced the first corner in the second minute when right back Fabian
Wilnis crossed and Cox headed the ball behind.
But the opportunity came to nothing when Jamie Clapham's kick was punched
clear by Banks.
Cox was soon involved at the other end of the pitch as he skipped around the
challenge of Clapham and curled a right foot effort over the bar.
After 22 minutes Ipswich striker Johnson broke into the box, he turned centre
back Andy Todd, but with just the goalkeeper to beat scuffed a weak shot well
wide.
Bolton midfielder Frandsen, who had earlier seen a long-range effort dip and
swerve just over, tested Wright in the 38th-minute with a powerful strike from
the edge of the box.
Seconds later at the opposite end of the pitch, Ipswich were denied what
looked a clear penalty when South African Mark Fish appeared to bring down
Johnson.
Referee Mark Halsey deemed the tackle fair and pointed to the corner flag,
much to the disgust of the visiting fans and players.
Johnson looked well placed to score on 42 minutes when he received Clapham's
low cross six yards out but his first time shot was well held by Banks.
And just a minute before the interval Bolton looked certain to break the
deadlock when Eidur Gudjohnsen and Bob Taylor carved open the Ipswich defence to
leave Frandsen with a free header 10 yards out.
He met the ball with pace and precision, but Wright displayed his under-21
credentials with a stunning save at the foot of his left post.
Seven minutes into the second half Frandsen advanced down the right and played
the ball into Cox, who created space for himself on the edge of the box and then
rifled a deflected effort against Wright's bar with the goalkeeper stranded.
Five minutes later Johnson held up the ball on the edge of the area, played it
into the path of Matthew Holland, who could not keep his shot down and saw it
fly well over Banks' bar.
After 67 minutes a blistering drive from Cox from all of 25 yards thumped into
Wright's chest and he gathered the ball cleanly at the second attempt.
Six minutes later there was a double substitution by Bolton manager Todd,
bringing on Paul Warhurst and Bo Hansen for Gudjohnsen and Ricardo Gardner.
With Bolton piling on the pressure and pushing Ipswich back, Frandsen fired
another drive straight at Wright.
Burley replaced Johnson with Naylor 13 minutes from time and just five minutes
later the substitute broke clear into the box but his shot lacked conviction and
power and Banks saved well.
Then with just six minutes to go, and the game looking likely to end
scoreless, Johansen's crucial contribution put Bolton on the way to a Wembley
appearance.
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