In this week’s Ipswich Town nostalgia, we look back to December 21, 2004, when Darren Bent took Ipswich to the top of the Championsip on Christmas Day, after beating Wigan 2-1 thanks to his 89th-minute winner at Portman Road.

East Anglian Daily Times: Town remained unbeaten at home in 2004-05 season, after beating Wigan 2-1 in December 2004Town remained unbeaten at home in 2004-05 season, after beating Wigan 2-1 in December 2004

Wigan started the game with a one-point lead over Ipswich, and opened the scoring just before the hour mark when Leighton Baines scored his first senior goal with a stunning 40-yard shot which curled into the top corner of Kelvin Davis’s goal.

East Anglian Daily Times: Richard Naylor celebrates his goal with Jason de Vos in Town's 2-1 win over Wigan in December 2004Richard Naylor celebrates his goal with Jason de Vos in Town's 2-1 win over Wigan in December 2004 (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

But the Blues got back on terms in the 66th minute when Ian Westlake was fouled, and from Darren Currie’s free-kick Richard Naylor back-headed the ball beyond the reach of Wigan goalkeeper John Filan and into the net for his fourth goal of the season.

East Anglian Daily Times: Darren Bent celebrates his 89th mintue winner against Wigan in December 2004Darren Bent celebrates his 89th mintue winner against Wigan in December 2004

Both sides had chances to score late on, but just when the game looked set to end all square, Bent produced the decisive strike to put Town top of the league on Christmas Day.

East Anglian Daily Times: Fabian Wilnis dives on top of his team mates as Ipswich celebrate Darren Bent's late goal in December 2004Fabian Wilnis dives on top of his team mates as Ipswich celebrate Darren Bent's late goal in December 2004 (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

With just a minute left to play Fabian Wilnis sent the ball forward, Shefi Kuqi flicked it on and Darren Bent deftly looped the ball over Filan and into the net to take all three points.