the robson years

Town won two league matches in succession for the first time this season. In a thrilling clash at Maine Road they deserved the victory, showing much of their old form. Eric Gates in particular fired in shots from all angles. City launched a desperate late bid for an equaliser but Town held on. Kenny Clements suffered a broken leg in a first half tackle with Kevin Beattie. More

Eighteenth-placed Ipswich gained two precious points in an action-packed game. Clive Woods scored the winner, a great solo effort, just when it looked as if their non-stop attacks would go unrewarded. Middlesbrough were well organised, repeatedly stifling Town around the edge of their penalty box, and looked dangerous on the break, especially through winger Terry Cochrane. More

The safe handling by goalkeepers Gary Bailey and Paul Cooper was the high spot of the match at rain-soaked Old Trafford. The spotlight was on Bailey, the 20-year-old son of former Town goalkeeper Roy, who was making his debut, and he displayed tremendous confidence. Gary had been at Ipswich for a short time a couple of years earlier, but it was in winter and he was cold and homesick for South Africa. More

Albion completed the double in a disappointing match on a damp, slippery pitch. Town applied a good deal of pressure in the second half but lacked constructive ideas and rarely threatened Tony Godden`s goal. More

Town were well beaten as Frank Stapleton scored his first senior hat trick for Arsenal. Paul Mariner could have emulated Stapleton`s feat but the Town defence had a day they would rather forget. Paul Cooper made a brilliant save from Liam Brady`s 76th minute penalty. More

Ipswich progressed to the quarter finals after a gruelling tie but would be without Paul Mariner, sent off three minutes from the end of extra time. The Austrians, showing little attacking flair, took the match into extra time when Franz Oberacher scored at the end of a superb break by Robert Hanschitz, and George Burley set up an explosive finale when he put Town ahead on aggregate. Within minutes Innsbruck captain Peter Koncilia reduced Burley to a limping passenger with a late, cynical tackle, and left Paul Cooper on the ground with a thigh injury after another clash. For these offences, Koncilia was shown a yellow card. Mariner, booked earlier for dissent, put the ball in the net after being given offside, which seemed trivial compared to Koncilia`s actions, especially given the volume of noise in the stadium. More