Mark Venus was Ipswich's unlikely hero last night as they secured a place in the semi-finals of the Worthington Cup. The veteran midfielder grabbed the winner deep into extra-time to break Manchester City's hearts.
While some of his younger colleagues were beginning to wilt, Venus strode upfield to fire a shot beyond goalkeeper Nicky Weaver. Now Ipswich will face first division Birmingham over two legs for a place in the final after a stirring comeback.
Shaun Goater got City off to a perfect start in the rearranged quarter-final, opening the scoring in the 10th minute after latching on to a loose ball on the edge of the area. His first touch was excellent and his finish clinical with keeper Richard Wright soundly beaten.
It was a bright start by City, who recalled central defender Andy Morrison after a 14-month absence because of a late injury to Steve Howey.
The original match last Tuesday had been abandoned after 23 minutes because of a waterlogged pitch with the scores locked at 1-1.
City midfielder Kevin Horlock needed treatment for a deep cut on his head after Hermann Hreidarsson raised his boot in the area. The home fans screamed for a penalty, but referee Graham Poll would have none of it.
Ipswich drew level in the 59th minute when Fabian Wilnis floated in a cross from the right. Weaver managed to get a hand to David Johnson's header but Matt Holland was handily placed to sweep the rebound in.
City manager Joe Royle took a gamble with 10 minutes remaining by bringing off centre-back Morrison and replacing him with winger Mark Kennedy. But neither side could get the second goal they craved in the 90 minutes and the match went into extra time.
Venus then put Ipswich ahead in the 109th minute with a cool finish after the ball had broken off the foot of City's unlucky Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Paulo Wanchope did find the net for City only for it to be ruled out for an infringement. Then in the dying seconds he saw a header cleared off the line to complete a night of heartache for their 31,000 fans.
Manchester City: Weaver, Haaland, Tiatto (Bishop 105), Andy Morrison (Kennedy 80), Prior, Wright-Phillips, Whitley, Wiekens, Horlock (Granville 100), Wanchope, Goater. Subs Not Used: Dickov, Wright. Booked: Whitley. Goal: Goater 10.
Ipswich: Richard Wright, Wilnis, Hreidarsson (Jermaine Wright 45), Venus, McGreal, Croft, Magilton, Holland, Clapham, Scowcroft (Bramble 117), Johnson (Reuser 90). Subs Not Used: Branagan, Karic. Goals: Holland 60, Venus 109.
Referee: G Poll (Tring).
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