IPSWICH Town ended 2006 with a controversial Championship defeat at the Hawthorns this afternoon.They were the better side in the first period and spurned a number of chances before referee Clive Penton decided that Sylvain Legwinski's handball in the 52nd minute was deliberate.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town ended 2006 with a controversial Championship defeat at the Hawthorns this afternoon.

They were the better side in the first period and spurned a number of chances before referee Clive Penton decided that Sylvain Legwinski's handball in the 52nd minute was deliberate.

The ball was driven at him from three yards and the Frenchman had no real chance to get his arms out of the way.

Diomansky Kamara took the penalty that Lewis Price saved. The ball rebounded off the keeper and Kamara was able to side-foot the ball into the net.

In the 68th minute Jason Koumas struck a splendid second goal from 21 yards, and as well as Ipswich tried they could not reward their large band of travelling fans with a goal.

Town knocked the ball around well on the saturated surface, but Kevin Phillips was clean through twice and denied by Price.