SOCCER: Ipswich Town Reserves 2 Derby County Reserves 1. A deadly Darren duo of Ambrose and Bent hit the goals as Town won the Premier Reserve League Southern Section title in front of a bumper 6,400 crowd at Portman Road last night.

Ipswich Town Reserves 2 Derby County Reserves 1

A deadly Darren duo of Ambrose and Bent hit the goals as Town won the Premier Reserve League Southern Section title in front of a bumper 6,400 crowd at Portman Road last night.

Striker Bent pounced first in the opening period and midfield man Ambrose hit his just after half time. In between Luciano Zavagno had equalised for the visitors.

Derby, last season's champions, were not helped by the sending off of Youl Mawene for deliberate hand-ball in the 52nd minute. But Town were worthy winners on an evening when the club won a reserve team title for first time since 1976.

The first half was cracking entertainment. After 18 minutes, Ambrose fed Bent who got in a rasping shot which was brilliantly touched over by Andy Oakes.

Then from a corner by Ian Westlake, Wayne Brown sent a header just over.

Adam Bolder sliced wide for Derby when well placed before Bent struck with his 21st league goals of the season in the 21st minute.

Jim Magilton fed him with a through ball and Bent finished with a rising shot. Four minutes later the team from the East Midlands were level. Zavagno sent home a stunning 25 yarder with his left foot.

Man of the match Ambrose delighted with his skill on the right of midfield. A 29th minute dribble ended with him going just wide.

Early in the second half Town got the winner. Ambrose cut in from the right on to his left foot to give Oakes little chance with a shot into the corner.

Derby battled hard after the Mawene sending off for a deliberate hand-ball that stopped Bent going through and, with only a few minutes to go, striker substitute Matt Robinson brought a splendid save from Oakes after slick work by Bent.

It was a memorable night at Portman Road with the Town team celebrating with the trophy on the pitch at the end.

They paraded with it in front of the delighted crowd and Bent threw his medal to his mother in the crowd.

A young Blues team, that was helped by a bit of experience, gave a good all round show.

A dismal Town first team season ended with some welcome silverware for the club.

Last night's teams

IPSWICH: Salmon; Wilnis, (Sub Artun 72), Richards, Bloomfield, J Miller, Brown, Ambrose, Magilton, Armstrong, (Sub Robinson 60), D Bent, Westlake, (Sub Nicholls 76). Unused subs: Beevers and Price.

DERBY: Oakes; Hunt, Zavagno, Evatt, Mills, Mawene, Bolder, Murray, Robinson, (Sub Tudagy 65), Twigg, O'Halloran, (Sub McArdle 88). Unused subs: Grant, Weckstron, Molloy.

Referee: Tony Conn.

Attendance: 6,400.