An inspired substitution by Ipswich boss Joe Royle and a rare goal from defender Fabian Wilnis set Ipswich on their way to a deserved 2-0 derby success at the home of their bitter rivals Norwich. With 19 minutes remaining Royle threw on 17-year-old Dean Bowditch for the flagging Darren Ambrose, and within 60 seconds the pacy forward's cross gave Wilnis the chance to volley into the bottom corner.
The goal would have been a worthy way to settle a typically highly charged affair, but just for good measure Bowditch then set up Darren Bent to seal the victory in injury-time. It was a deserved victory for Ipswich, who started and finished the stronger, despite allowing Norwich to come back into the game either side of half-time.
Robert Green had to produce a fingertip save to stop Bent's close-range effort giving Ipswich the lead as early as the 12th minute before two Ambrose shots and a Bent volley provided further threats. But the hosts could easily have gone into the break ahead after Iwan Roberts' volley forced Ipswich keeper Andy Marshall into action and David Healy's curling effort on the stroke of half-time brought a superb tip over from the former Norwich man.
Paul McVeigh's shot and headers from Leigh Bromby and Roberts suggested Norwich had carried their new-found momentum into the second period. But with Ipswich having gone some 20 minutes without a shot on goal, Royle introduced Bowditch and the scene was set for the biggest day in the teenager's fledgling career.
An off-target Tommy Miller shot could have doubled Ipswich's lead just two minutes after Wilnis supplied the breakthrough. And despite no lack of effort from a Norwich team roared on by the vast majority of a crowd of 21,243 there were few clear chances to level. Zema Abbey was brought on for Clint Easton with 10 minutes remaining, but only succeeded in getting himself booked as the frustration levels grew.
And moments after Philip Mulryne sent Norwich's last chance over the top, Bowditch's pass allowed Bent to run clear - a low, drilled finish settling all outstanding issues.
Filed by Shane Murray
