RUSSIAN hit-man Roman Pavlyuchenko was the lone marksman as a Tottenham XI edged out a youthful Ipswich Town in a pre-season friendly at Portman Road last night.

Experienced international Pavlyuchenko, a �14m purchase from Spartak Moscow at the start of 2008, cracked home a low shot on the hour mark.

His effort took a wicked deflection off Conor Hourihane to wrong-foot keeper Arran Lee-Barrett and skid low into the net.

The Premier League outfit, although having another friendly against Benfica on the same night, did include a few senior players, including Ledley King.

Centre-half King, making his comeback after injurying his groin in England’s opening group match against USA in the World Cup, enjoyed 45 minutes of action.

Town boss Roy Keane, who took a back seat with Chris Kiwomya in charge in the dug-out, did not risk any of his likely starters at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

However, there were outings for Colin Healy, Shane O’Connor and Lee Martin, as well as substitute appearances from Pablo Counago and Jon Stead.

One rival Championship manager in the stadium to watch the action was Doncaster Rovers boss Sean O’Driscoll, who could well have been casting his eye over the transfer-listed Stead.

Meanwhile, the anticipated unveiling of keeper Marton Fulop as Town’s third signing of the summer did not take place today. However, the Hungarian keeper is expected to complete his signing later this week in time to be available for the Championship opener at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Teams

IPSWICH TOWN: Lee-Barrett, Ainsley, Brown, Eastman, O’Connor (sub Griffiths, 72), Hourihane (sub Stead, 61), Lambe, Cawley, Healy (sub Clark, 46), Martin (sub Dunbar, 61), Murray (sub Counago, 61).

TOTTENHAM XI: Alnwick, Smith (sub Byrne, 72), Kaboul, King (sub Butcher, 46), Carroll, Livermore (sub Kane, 72), Mason, Parrett, M’Poku (sub Dawkins, 65), Pavlyuchenko, Obika.

Attendance: 5,770