Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Ipswich Town 0

A GOAL from nowhere by a player from Down Under revived the old gold dream of Wolves gaining promotion to the Premiership when Colin Lee's injury and illness-hit side secured what may prove to be a decisive victory over high-flying but equally weakened Ipswich at Molineux yesterday.

Kevin Muscat, the Australian international defender signed from Crystal Palace last season, struck the winner with a last-minute 30-yard drive which swerved wickedly to leave England Under-21 goalkeeper Richard Wright beaten.

"I was pleased it went in and delighted we won," said the man from Melbourne. "My mum and dad have been over for Christmas and I wanted them to see us win before they went back."

The goal was no more than Wolves deserved for their spirited endeavour during the second half.

Ipswich, neat, sweet-passing and quick on the counter-attack, promised more than they delivered with a curious 5-2-3 system.

"I thought, overall, we deserved a draw and I am disappointed with the result," said manager George Burley. "But it was a goal in a million, a great strike and this is only our second away defeat of the season."

Until this victory, Lee had gone five games without a win after succeeding Mark McGhee, who had lost the job after Wolves suffered a 2-0 defeat at Ipswich on Nov 3.

Daily Telegraph