Danny Dichio assumed Niall Quinn's mantle to dump Ipswich out of the FA Cup and fire Sunderland into the fifth round.

Peter Reid opted to leave the big Irishman on the bench with champions Manchester United due at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night, but his replacement fulfilled his job to the letter as he sent a 22nd-minute diving header past Richard Wright to ensure victory in a close contest.

Sunderland had the better of the possession, with Don Hutchison - who played up front alongside Dichio after Kevin Phillips failed to reappear after the break - Alex Rae and Gavin McCann, outstanding in midfield despite a fine display by Town's Jim Magilton.

But the visitors were always dangerous on the break, Marcus Stewart forcing a fine early save from Thomas Sorensen and Alun Armstrong wasting a good opportunity.

Reid made two changes to the side held 0-0 by Bradford at the Stadium of Light last Sunday, Stanislav Varga replacing calf injury victim Emerson Thome and Dichio getting the nod over Quinn.

Ipswich, who lost 4-1 at Sunderland on New Year's Day, made three changes to the 11 which went down by the same score at Chelsea last weekend.

Defender Mark Venus returned from a thigh injury; Titus Bramble was recalled following a suspension, and Jermaine Wright won back his place as Jamie Clapham, James Scowcroft and Gary Croft made way.

The visitors signalled their intention not to allow a repeat of their last visit to Wearside as they started with five men at the back and were ready to hit Sunderland on the break.

It was a ploy which worked reasonably well in the opening stages. Ipswich enjoyed the better of the early chances, Stewart drawing an important 16th-minute save from Sorensen and Armstrong failing to make the goalkeeper work after being put in by Magilton three minutes later.

The visitors were made to pay for not taking their chances with 22 minutes gone when Varga played Hutchison into space on the right, and he crossed early for Dichio to dive and head past the stranded Wright.

Armstrong was guilty of wasting another good opening seven minutes later when he robbed Varga wide on the right but misplaced his pass to the fast arriving Matt Holland. He then sent a difficult overhead kick high over after Holland had played Venus' deep free-kick back across goal.

But Sunderland began to dominate as the half wore on and without creating any clear-cut chances started to impose themselves in a tight contest.

The home fans uttered an audible groan when their team emerged after the break without Phillips, who was replaced by Kilbane - but as Hutchison pushed up to partner Dichio the disappointment was eased somewhat.

Hutchison was at the heart of all his side's best work as he prospered from the service given to him by Rae and McCann, firing in a dipping volley which Wright did well to claim and then playing in Dichio who toe-poked a 56th-minute shot past the goalkeeper but was denied a second goal by the woodwork.

The same combination was responsible for another close thing nine minutes later as Dichio again shot just wide.

But as the game entered its final stages Ipswich - who had sent Richard Naylor and Jamie Clapham on in place of Venus and Armstrong at the break - increased their tempo in the search for an equaliser.

Sunderland almost cemented victory 10 minutes from time when Hutchison sent in a glancing header from Kilbane's right-wing corner but saw his effort land on the roof of the net.

Ipswich battled all the way to the end, but Fabian Wilnis wasted a good chance to put substitute James Scowcroft in on goal at the death as his pass ran out for a goal-kick.

Hutchison could have put the result beyond any doubt in injury time but could not beat Wright from a tight angle after a powerful surge down the right.

Teams

Sunderland: Sorensen, Gray (Makin 66), Williams, Craddock, Varga, Hutchison, McCann, Rae, Schwarz, Phillips (Kilbane 45),Dichio.

Subs Not Used: Ingham, Oster, Quinn.

Booked: Schwarz.

Goals: Dichio 23.

Ipswich: Richard Wright, Wilnis, McGreal, Venus (Clapham 45), Bramble (Scowcroft 71), Hreidarsson, Magilton, Holland, Jermaine Wright, Stewart, Armstrong (Naylor 45).

Subs Not Used: Branagan, Reuser.

Booked: McGreal.

Att: 33,626

Ref: S Bennett (Orpington).