Scowcroft took his tally for the season to six while Johnson doubled his figure from two to four. In a first half in which Town were so dominate, Scowcroft was in brilliant form and he forced Bristol keeper Keith Welch into many good saves. Johnson to was always threatening but home fans were worried when a Bristol side that were so poor in the first half began to look more lively after the break.

When former Norwich striker Ade Akinbiyi pulled a goal back in the 88th minute to stand the score at 2-1 there was concern but Johnson wrapped it up and Town made further progress up the First Division table.

New French defender Manuel Thetis went off injured with five minutes to go. He could be a doubt for Tuesday night's Worthington Cup return at Luton.

A crowd of 13,657 were well entertained. Town could have had more goals but they will be well pleased with a good result against a Bristol side that not so long ago were holding Sunderland to a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light.

Man of the Match: It goes to James Scowcroft. He took his goals superbly in the first half and in the opening period his general play was of the highest order. He also did well after the break in a match were he underlined vast potential once again.

Blow by blow

Middle of the Nationwide First Division Ipswich Town took on lowly Bristol City at Portman Road today with their 20-year-old keeper Richard Wright making his 150th appearance.

Manager George Burley, who gave Wright his debut as a 17 year old in the Premiership, said: "It is a phenomenal figure for someone so young to reach. Richard is going from strength to strength."

The landmark celebrating Wright took his place in the Town side that showed one change from that which beat Luton 2-1 on Tuesday night in a Worthington Cup second round, first leg tie.

Centre half Mark Venus was missing and in came Adam Tanner to take his place at the heart of the defence.

Visitors City came to Suffolk looking for their first League win of the season. But they showed when drawing 1-1 at Sunderland in a live on Sky game earlier this month just how tricky an opposition they can be.

It was a mild September afternoon at Portman Road with Town renewing League rivalry with a Bristol team that won promotion from the Second Division in May, finishing three points behind champions Watford.

Town took the field in their blue and white first choice strip to play a 4-4-2 formation against an all in red clad Bristol team that were operating with a 5-2-2 set up. Soon after the kick-off former Norwich striker Akinbiyi got in a good header at the far post which Wright dropped to his knees to save. The cross for Akinbiyi had been provided by Bell. Play then switched to the other end with Petta getting in a shot that took a deflection to earn a corner. Then, in the sixth minute the home side put together a cracking move. Taricco sent the five goal top marksman Scowcroft away down the right. The big fair haired number 10 then whipped over a lovely cross for strike partner Johnson. The home number nine was on it in a flash but his shot took a deflection off Watts and earned a corner. The flag kick came to nothing and the game continued with Tanner finding Taricco on the right. The Argentinian in turn found Johnson whose attempt at a shot was a rather wild effort that sliced badly and was no where near the goal. City were a tight marking outfit who were closing down space very quickly but their long haired midfield player Hutchings broke forward and shaped to shoot, but Thetis blocked him. Town took the lead in the 13th minute when JOHNSON scored his third goal of the season. The City defence was caught out badly. Clapham sent Petta away down the left and from the Dutchman's cross Johnson steamed in unmarked to connect with a close range header.

Result: Ipswich 3, Bristol City 1

The Green 'Un