IPSWICH TOWN 3, PRESTON NORTH END 0DEADLY Darren Bent was up to his old tricks again at Portman Road today as suspension and injury ravaged Preston were put to the sword.

IPSWICH TOWN 3, PRESTON NORTH END 0

DEADLY Darren Bent was up to his old tricks again at Portman Road today as suspension and injury ravaged Preston were put to the sword.

The 18-year-old striker came on as a 66 minute substitute for Pablo Counago, at a time when the home side were labouring a bit at 1-0.

Darren then struck in the 74th and 87th minute to make it a comprehensive victory.

On each occasion he was assisted by his best mate Darren Ambrose - another second-half substitute who had operated in midfield.

The first Town goal was scored by another Bent, the more experienced Marcus, after 31 minutes.

What a day it was for the younger Bent though.

He had come on in the last home game, in the second-half against Morecambe in the FA Cup, to also score twice.

Preston fought hard and they had a particularly good spell early in the second half.

Ipswich, however, kept battling away and they made it nine games without defeat on a day when the heroics of Darren Bent were the icing on the cake.

Joe Royle's side made further progress up the First Division table and if this continues they should soon be heading into the play-offs zone.