After much hype and build up, a gloomy cloud of disappointment hangs over Portman Road today.

Town fans arrived at the ground for last night’s crunch match against bitter rivals Norwich City full of optimism after Paul Jewell’s magic saw them steer away from the possibility of relegation and left them staring tantalizingly at the play-offs.

But that hope died away as the Canaries hammered home goal after goal, notching up a 5-1 victory over the Blues.

Making their feelings clear, hundreds of Town fans walked out before the 90 minutes were up, knowing there was no hope of a come back.

Emotions ran high as the Town fans filed out of the ground full of anger and despair while the Norwich fans were euphoric with their five-star performance.

Town fan David Haylock was bitterly disappointed by the defeat.

“I left after 85 minutes so I never even saw the fifth goal,” said David, who stayed five minutes longer than the friends he went with.

The avid follower believes it is now time to strengthen up the back line as well as adding more guile up front.

Offering some words of advice to Mr Jewell, he said: “You don’t need a 20-goal a season striker, you just need someone who will go up there and hassle the defence.”