Ipswich Town 2 Charlton Athletic 1

IPSWICH again proved they can prosper against 10 men when Steve Sedgley and Alex Mathie scored the goals that took them to sixth place in the First Division after a recovery signalled by the dismissal of Charlton left-back Jamie Stuart.

Trailing to Bradley Allen's first-half header, Ipswich extended their record to one defeat from 10 games a week after mounting a similar comeback when Sheffield United's Michael Vonk was sent off. Ricky Otto, signed by Charlton manager Alan Curbishley on loan from Birmingham, made his debut on the left wing. Allen, a £400,000 capture from QPR six months ago, gave Charlton the lead after 35 minutes when he was left unmarked to head in a centre from Anthony Burgess from eight yards.

Ten minutes into the second half Claus Thomsen looked like providing the game's turning point as the Danish international ran clear on to James Scowcroft's superb reverse pass. Thomsen nudged himself clear of Stuart whose trip on the edge of the area earned him a red card. Although the Ipswich players thought referee Gurnam Singh had initially awarded a penalty, Steve Sedgley made the difference academic as he curled in the free-kick.

Ipswich soon made their numerical advantage count. Thomsen broke from midfield and timed his clipped pass to perfection for Mathie to run clear, nick the ball away from goalkeeper Mike Salmon and slide in his fourth goal of the season after 71 minutes.

Daily Telegraph