Marcus Stewart's 15th goal of the season, from a controversial penalty, provided Ipswich with a first-leg lead in the Worthington Cup semi-final against Birmingham. Striker Stewart slotted home after former Town player Danny Sonner was adjudged to have handled shortly before half-time and pushed Ipswich a step nearer European qualification.
Sonner, on his 29th birthday, blocked Magilton's right-wing cross with what a linesman confirmed was his arm and Stewart sent Bennett the wrong way from 12 yards, after prolonged Birmingham protests, for his 15th goal of the season.
The Premiership side were inches away from doubling their first-leg advantage shortly after the break through Hreidarsson. Venus hoisted a free-kick into the area from the left-hand touchline and the Icelandic international rose above a pack of defenders to thunder a header against an upright. And they should have gone 2-0 ahead in the 56th minute but for uncharacteristic profligacy from the deadly Stewart.
Fabian Wilnis galloped down the right flank and whipped the ball across the face of the six-yard box, finding an unmarked Stewart through a melee of players only for the striker to blaze wide with the net gaping.
Sonner may have been angered with the penalty award but the midfielder was lucky not to have given away a second spot-kick on the hour with a clumsy challenge on Holland.
Birmingham rallied in the closing stages with a flurry of corners which failed to reap reward. In fact, their best effort was headed over the bar by substitute Marcelo from a Bryan Hughes cross.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
