TEENAGE hotshot DEAN BOWDITCH felt he took a massive step forward in his young career at Portman Road last night.The England youth international from Harlow, who came on in the 67th minute for a seventh Blues appearance, hit the winner early in extra time.

By Dave Allard

TEENAGE hotshot DEAN BOWDITCH felt he took a massive step

forward in his young career at Portman Road last night.

The England youth international from Harlow, who came on in the 67th minute for a seventh Blues appearance, hit the winner early in extra time.

He said: "I'm so happy. I've had several earlier substitute appearances and not taken chances. Here I came on and duly got a first goal at senior level.

"It's a massive step forward in my career. My mum and dad were here and this is a great night for me."

Bowditch went on: "I thought that my front partner Darren Bent was fantastic. His work-rate was incredible.

"Every defender seems to be scared of him. Darren never lost a header and did a great job."

The young front runner recalled the time when he made his entry into the Carling Cup action as his team fought to break the deadlock in this first round tie against lively Kidderminster of the Third Division.

He said: "I saw Marcus Bent limping, but thought he would shake it off.

"Marcus pulled over and the boss gave me the signal. I'd hardly had time to warm up."

Bowditch acknowledged the heroics of Kidderminster

keeper Stuart Brock and said: "He had a blinder. He made many good saves and one of them was from me."

Town's England Under-21 international DARREN BENT, second top scorer for the club with 18 goals last team.

Last night he was a constant thorn in the side of Kidderminster and could have had a hatful of goals.

He said: "The goals will come. I'm making chances, that's the main thing.

"I'm really delighted for Dean Bowditch. The Ipswich academy keeps throwing up good first team players and he's another."

Bent, who hopes to get off the mark for the season at Crewe on Saturday, continued: "If I keep getting in the scoring positions the goads will come."

Spanish striker PABLO COUNAGO was taken off at half time. The 19-goal top marksman of last season said:

"It was a difficult half to play in. The other team had loads of men back and it was pretty horrible to play against."

Kidderminster defender SCOTT STAMPS felt that his side will have gained much from the experience of playing at the 30,000 capacity Portman Road stadium.

He said: "We gave it a real go. We pushed Ipswich as hard as we could.

"If it had gone to pens then who knows what might have happened.

"I think we are a team well capable of doing well in the Third Division this season."

The Worcestershiremen's skipper SEAN FLYNN said: "It was a worthy show indeed by all our team. Ipswich are a side I really fancy to go up this season.

"We can hold our heads high after the way we played against them.

"Ipswich had loads and loads of chances I know, but we had a few ourselves."