IN-FORM Ipswich striker Darren Bent is likely to be docked a goal.The Football League's resident video review panel is to study replays of Town's first goal in Monday's 2-1 home win over Wolves.

IN-FORM Ipswich striker Darren Bent is likely to be docked a goal.

The Football League's resident video review panel is to study replays of Town's first goal in Monday's 2-1 home win over Wolves.

Ever-present Bent, for whom Ipswich last week rejected a £3million bid from Charlton, is currently on duty with the England Under-21 squad.

He was credited with the goal in the 28th minute - but, crucially, match referee Phil Crossley indicated in his report that in his opinion it was an own goal.

Now it will be up to the league's video panel to decide whether Bent, or Wolves defender Mark Clyde, applied the decisive touch to skipper Jim Magilton's right-wing cross.

A Football League spokesman said today: “The procedure is that both teams and the referee submit official reports following each match, in which they indicate who scored the goals.

“As far as the reports that have been received following the game between Ipswich and Wolves are concerned, there is clearly a discrepancy over who scored Ipswich's first goal.

“While Ipswich have indicated that, in their opinion, the goal was scored by Darren Bent, the referee has suggested it was an own goal.

“We will therefore convene the video panel to review the tape in order to determine who should be credited with the goal.”

If, as seems likely, the league concur with the referee's opinion that it was an own goal, Bent will have scored twice, rather than three times, in Town's six league games this season.

The 20-year-old was on target to earn a point in the 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, then he opened the scoring in Town's 3-1 home win over Cardiff.

Most people at Portman Road felt he had headed Ipswich in front on Monday, but his subdued reaction after the ball flew into the net was a major clue.

The Evening Star's political editor, Paul Geater, is a long-serving Town fan with a season ticket in the upper tier of the Greene King Stand.

He said: “I am in no doubt that it was an own goal. I had a very clear view of the incident and it was obvious that the Wolves player got the final touch.

“I also noticed that the referee was in a good position to judge, so I am not surprised to hear that he has indicated it was an own goal.”

Ipswich legend John Wark, a match-day host whose seat is in the same area of the ground, was confused as to what actually happened.

Wark said: “I could see Darren didn't get his head on the ball but I thought it had struck some part of his body, possibly his shoulder.

“But I couldn't be 100 per cent certain and I haven't seen a replay. I must admit, though, that when I saw Darren's reaction it made me wonder whether he had really got the vital touch.”