Ipswich Town fans turned out in their thousands to watch the Blues face Premier League Southampton in an FA Cup Third Round replay at Portman Road on Wednesday evening.

Tickets, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, were snapped up by Ipswich fans, but unfortunately the result did not go their way, the Saints emerging victorious, 1-0, courtesy of Shane Long’s strike.

Midweek games under the lights always have a special aura, while the presence of the BBC TV cameras added to the spectacle.

Archant photographer Simon Parker was there to capture the pre-match mood and the early atmosphere in the stands as the game got underway in front of 27,933 spectators.