JAMES SCOWCROFT's eighth goal of the season proved a timely fillip for Ipswich's delicate confidence at Portman Road last night. A hard-earned win was their first in five games, and inflicted a first defeat in 11 on their fellow play-off aspirants.

Wolves, who yesterday completed the loan signing of Michael Branch from Everton, recruited to replace broken leg victim George Ndah, opted for defensive caution in omitting the creative skills of Andy Sinton, and their tactics duly stifled Ipswich in the opening 45 minutes.

The Suffolk side enjoyed most of the possession, but the sum total of their first-half threat was a Matt Holland header that clipped the top of the bar from a John McGreal cross.

Wolves, who persistently fell foul of Ipswich's well-drilled offside trap, were content to absorb pressure and retaliate on the counter, and one such raid should have yielded a goal on 34 minutes.

Ade Akinbiyi, cleverly released by Scott Taylor, saw a low shot parried by Richard Wright. Neil Emblen, playing as a makeshift striker, looked certain to score in front of an open goal, but somehow McGreal's desperate tackle denied him.

Ipswich finally unlocked the Wolves defence 10 minutes into the second half when James Scowcroft met McGreal's deep cross to loop a header over Mike Stowell.

Wolves, who introduced Sinton for the last nine minutes, battled to find a way back into the game but it was Ipswich who should have scored again, substitute Jermaine Wright failing to make the most of Stowell's poor clearance.

Daily Telegraph