Ipswich's erratic promotion challenge took another lurch in the wrong direction at the Britannia Stadium last night, as they slumped to a third defeat in five matches. After a bright start they were comfortably beaten by a Stoke side whose priority for the season is First Division survival.

There was an early alarm for Ipswich when a wayward back-pass from Georges Santos ran past goalkeeper Kelvin Davis and wide of the post.

Ipswich, though, were soon pulling the strings, playing some slick football. Darren Bent engineered a good opening for Ian Westlake in the 13th minute, but the youngster's shot was too close to Ed de Goey, who saved with his outstretched left foot.

With Stoke struggling to keep in touch, Jim Magilton dispossessed Clive Clarke to send Bent away, but the striker shot straight at De Goey. The Dutch goalkeeper then made an excellent one-handed save, again from Bent.

Ipswich appeared to be in control but they were overtaken by disaster in the 36th minute when Santos gave the ball away to Ade Akinbiyi on the edge of the six-yard box. Akinbiyi's shot was blocked by Davis but, as Sebastian Svard followed up, Santos brought him down to concede a penalty which Peter Hoekstra slotted home.

The goal had a negative impact on Ipswich's football, which lost its sparkle as anxiety replaced confidence. Pressing for an equaliser they were vulnerable to the counter-attack and, in the 67th minute, Gifton Noel-Williams sent Akinbiyi clear to round Davis and put Stoke 2-0 up.

Stoke were now content to soak up pressure and when Westlake did manage a shot on target, De Goey dealt with it comfortably.

Ron Gubba (Daily Telegraph)