IPSWICH's promotion hopes were dented by a well-drilled Grimsby side who recorded their first victory at Portman Road. Scottish defender Peter Handyside settled the issue with a spectacular goal after 14 minutes.

Fodian Wilnis, Ipswich's £200,00 new right wing-back from Holland, fouled David Smith near the touchline. Smith curled the free-kick into the goalmouth and Richard Wright punched the ball away, but only as far as Handyside, whose spectacular overhead kick ended up in the net for his first goal of the season.

Apart from a long shot by Stacey Coldicott after 31 minutes, little else was seen of Grimbsy as an attacking force before the interval, when they had only Lee Nogan up front.

The game marked the 500th League appearance by Ipswich captain Tony Mowbray in a career that started with Middlesbrough and took him to the Suffolk club via Celtic. He was solid at the back, but up front Ipswich had little punch.

They saw plenty of the ball but were unable to make much use of it. In the 57th minute Ipswich introduced Richard Logan, who celebrated his 17th birthday last week with a new contract. The youngster found it as difficult as everyone else to find a way through the tight Grimsby defence.

Tony Gallimore sent a free-kick for Grimsby narrowly over the bar and then in the 64th minute Manuel Thetis was booked for the 10th time this season for a foul on Donovan.

Ipswich switched Bobby Petta to the right to add variety to their attack but Grimsby were in control of the central midfield where Paul Groves and Coldicott denied space to Kieron Dyer and Matt Holland.

In the 85th minute Ipswich introduced another 17-year-old, defender Titus Bramble, who made an immediate impression as an attacker. He won the ball in midfield, surged forward and put a right-foot shot only just wide. It was Ipswich's best attempt.

Daily Telegraph