the robson years

Paul Cooper earned Ipswich a point they barely deserved against Second Division-bound Derby, saving two penalties. The first, in the 40th minute, for Kevin Beattie`s challenge on Alan Biley, looked highly dubious, but Cooper made a brilliant diving save from Barry Powell. Ten minutes after the interval, when Russell Osman`s handball gave County a second chance, Cooper got down well to save from Gerry Daly. More

Allan Hunter, restored to the side because Terry Butcher was in hospital with a kidney complaint, was the Town star. Apart from the first 20 minutes, Villa dominated the game and Gordon Cowans hit the bar when he should have scored after 29 minutes. Two well-struck goals were the high spots of a dull and frustrating afternoon. More

Town needed Paul Mariner`s late header from George Burley`s cross to clinch both points in a highly entertaining match. While Town had most of the play, Leeds battled well throughout and occasionally looked dangerous on the break. Town were awarded a 26th minute penalty when John Lukic brought down Frans Thijssen. John Wark`s spot kick was saved by the diving Lukic but the referee ordered it to be re-taken. This time Wark sent Lukic the wrong way, but the ball rebounded clear off the underside of the bar. More

Middlesbrough kept their European hopes alive when Billy Ashcroft dispossessed Mick Mills to score a late equaliser. They were probably worthy of a point in an often ill-tempered match, having mounted waves of attacks after Frans Thijssen`s weaving run set up Town`s early goal. More

When Ipswich created a number of chances in the first 25 minutes, albeit without scoring, another victory looked on the cards. Then John Gidman, forsaking his main task of marking Eric Gates, appeared on the left wing and centred for Bob Latchford to head home, and Town were never quite the same again. By the time Kevin Beattie headed home with a prodigious leap it was too late to influence the outcome.  More

Portman Road`s biggest crowd of the season saw Town extend their unbeaten run to 16 matches with a comprehensive demolition of second-placed Manchester United. United moved Martin Buchan out of the back four to mark Eric Gates and Town, with Muhren and Thijssen probing, took full advantage of the gaps this left. Despite the mounting score against him, Gary Bailey was United`s hero with a number of saves, including two penalties, one of them twice-taken. With John Wark attending his father`s funeral in Scotland, Frans Thijssen was entrusted with the first kick in the 37th minute, and Bailey dived to block a rather weak effort. Kevin Beattie took responsibility for the second a few minutes later which Bailey, diving the wrong way, cleared with his foot. The referee ruled he had moved too soon, but from Beattie`s second attempt Bailey made an impressive diving save. More