Bob Taylor scored an extra time goal which sent Bolton into the play-off final and left Ipswich broken hearted for the third successive season.

The 31-year-old striker struck after 96 minutes to set up a Wembley date with either Birmingham or Watford, who play tomorrow night.

Even though Matt Holland scored his second goal of the night four minutes from the end of extra time to give Ipswich the victory on the night, it was not enough to stop Bolton from going through to the final thanks to their three away goals.

The Ipswich players, who before the kick-off were dancing in their pre-match warm-up, sank to their knees at the final whistle having played their part in one of the most enthralling games of football to be seen this season.

Bolton, however, celebrated as the despair of missing out on promotion for the third year running sank in for the home fans.

Ipswich went into extra time needing to score as Bolton at that point had two away goals under their belt. But in their determination to push forward and score they left gaps at the back and it was Taylor who capitalised when Eidur Gudjohnson squared the ball and he slid it home.

The dramatic finale followed an equally incredible finish to normal time when Ipswich's England Under-21 star Kieron Dyer scored with a gem of a header with just 24 seconds left on the electronic scoreboard to take the tie into extra time.

Holland had given Ipswich just the start they needed after 14 minutes with a sweetly taken goal when James Scowcroft played him into the box and he tucked the ball in off the far post.

It was a lead that Ipswich thoroughly deserved in front, but they failed to capitalise further on their possession and led only 1-0 at the break.

The game turned with two goals in a minute after the restart.

After 51 minutes Gudjohnson saw his point blank shot brilliantly blocked by Richard Wright but the ball fell straight at the feet of Taylor who rammed home the equaliser.

Bolton had won Sunday's first leg 1-0 thanks to a Michael Johansen strike and the away goals were to prove crucial.

But straight from the kick-off Ipswich surged forward and when Scowcroft fed Dyer on the right edge of the box he hit a shot on the term which squeezed in off the far post.

It looked all over for Ipswich after 84 minutes when Johansen sent in a corner from the right, Andy Todd teed up Per Frandsen and the big blond Dane drove the ball in through a crowd of players with a deflection on the way to goal.

But in an amazing fight to the finish and with just seconds remaining Fabian Wilnis crossed and Dyer flicked home an inch perfect header.

Bolton finally killed off Ipswich when Taylor struck six minutes into extra time and although Holland had the last word, it simply wasn't enough.

Ipswich have failed in the play-offs yet again while Bolton keep alive an amazing four-year cycle.

In 1991 they reached the finals before losing 1-0 to Tranmere. Four years later they reached the Premiership with a 4-3 Wembley win over Reading and now they will be hoping that 1999 is also a momentous year.

Teams

Ipswich: Wright, Wilnis (Stockwell 105), Clapham, Magilton, Mowbray (Thetis 99), Venus, Dyer, Holland, Johnson (Naylor 91),Scowcroft, Petta.

Booked: Petta, Magilton.

Goals: Holland 14, Dyer 52, 90, Holland 116.

Bolton: Banks, Cox, Elliott (Warhurst 29), Frandsen, Todd, Fish, Johansen, Jensen, Gudjohnson (Hansen 112), Taylor, Gardner.

Subs Not Used: Bergsson.

Booked: Johansen.

Goals: Taylor 51, Frandsen 84, Taylor 96.

Att: 21,755

Ref: J Kirkby (Sheffield)