HALF-TIME: Ipswich Town 1 Millwall 0

A JASON Scotland goal after five minutes gave Town an interval lead in their Championship fixture against Millwall at Portman Road on Saturday

Town had two efforts cleared off the line towards the end of the half after the Londoners had dominated for long periods and gone close a number of times themselves.

Ipswich made two changes from the side that beat Northampton Town 3-1 in the Carling Cup on Tuesday with Fulop returning in place of Murphy in goal. Colback, who was cup tied against the Cobblers came in to play on the left side of midfield at the expense of Townsend.

Skipper Norris and fellow midfield Leadbitter, who both picked up knocks in midweek, were fit enough to start while fit-again Wickham was named on the bench where he was joined by Tottenham loanees Livermore and Townsend and Peters, who if he came on would be chalking up his 100th Town appearance.

Former Blues players Trotter and Barron were given good receptions by Ipswich supporters with Millwall looking for revenge after losing to Town in the third road of the Carling Cup at the Den in September.

Lisbie, who is on a season-long loan from Ipswich to Millwall, was not allowed to feature in the terms of the deal.

The lunchtime draw for the quarter-final sees the Blues at home to West Brom either on Tuesday November 30 or Wednesday November 1 – a good tie for the Suffolk-based club who are the only non-Premier League side left in the competition.

It was a perfect day for football with a warm sun shining at the start and hardly a breath of wind.

Within a minute, Scotland put Priskin through, but his angled low shot went into the near side netting and didn’t trouble Forde.

Town got off to just the start they needed in the fifth minute. Priskin’s enterprising run was followed by a right wing cross by Edwards. P Robinson should have dealt with the ball but let it slip beyond him with Scotland completing the formality of firing the ball into the net when unmarked 10 yards out and right in front of goal.

It was only Town’s second first half goal of their league season, and by the same scorer who now has five to his name – joint leading scorer with Norris.

Five minutes later the visitors attacked down the right with Dunne free to cross – McAuley just getting ahead of Morison to clear from in front of goal.

Fulop had dive full length to his right to save from Henry after a good head-down by Morison in the 20th minute as the Lions showed that they were still very much in this match.

A minute later Fulop lost his bearings following a corner, and from P Robinson’s angled lob Colback had to head off his own goal line.

Eastman then had to put in a majestic tackle on T Robinson right in front of goal, Morison was incensed when he was pulled up for a foul when both he and Smith went down as a dangerous ball came over from the left in the 23rd minute.

Morison was adamant that he had been fouled but the referee said no penalty. Leadbitter then handled the ball in the area and the referee judged it to be ball to hand as it came off the turf and no spot kick.

Ipswich were living dangerously and unable to get out of their own half with Millwall much the better team.

Delaney stooped to head a Leadbitter 40th minute corner wide when unmarked as Ipswich found their feet again.

A minute later Henry headed off the line following a shot by Leadbitter following a neat free-kick, and from the resultant corner, Smith got in a bullet header that was this time cleared from the line by Henry standing by the post.

P Robinson headed wide when well placed in the 45th minute following a great Abdou cross - when he should really have scored. Half-time:

Ipswich Town 1 Millwall 0

Ipswich Town: Fulop; Eastman, McAuley, Delaney, Smith; Edwards, Leadbitter, Norris, Colback; Scotland, Priskin. Substitutes: Murphy, Brown, Peters, Townsend, Livermore, Wickham, Murray.

Millwall: Forde; Dunne, Shittu, P Robinson, Barron; Henry, Trotter, Abdou, Schofield; T Robinson, Morison. Substitutes: Mildenhall, Carter, Hackett, Craig, Ward, Laird, Marquis.

Referee: Mr K Friend (Leicestershire)