Ipswich 1 Sunderland 2IPSWICH Town will now be able to concentrate on their First Division promotion race after losing to Sunderland in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Ipswich 1 Sunderland 2
IPSWICH Town will now be able to concentrate on their First Division promotion race after losing to Sunderland in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
It was their fifth defeat at Portman Road this season and keeper Kelvin Davis must take much of the blame for letting a free kick from Jason McAteer slip out of his grasp in the 68th minute so that Julio Arca could score.
Tommy Smith had given the visitors a 45th minute lead, although Ipswich came out after the interval and took control without forcing visiting keeper Mart Poom into any serious saves.
He did however deny Shefki Kuqi on two occasions with good stops, but was helpless when substitute Martijn Reuser drove home low in the 88th minute to ensure a frantic finale.
Town manager Joe Royle can now concentrate on the league while the club, still having to watch every penny, will be unable to look towards the FA Cup for any welcome additional income for the next 12 months.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here