Bent’s late blast takes Ipswich to the top

Ipswich 2 Wigan 1

The 20-year-old struck with one minute remaining, latching onto a long ball and lobbing goalkeeper John Filan with confidence.

The win capped a fine comeback by the home side, who trailed to a stunning Leighton Baines strike.

The full-back, sent off in the corresponding fixture last season, struck from 40 yards to give the Latics a 57th-minute lead.

But Richard Naylor headed in for second-placed Ipswich 10 minutes later and Bent held his nerve to snatch a dramatic win.

Although the visitors threatened at stages Joe Royle’s side were starting to take control of the game.

They continued their threat into the second half, Currie forcing Filan to save low down after selling Matt Jackson a terrific dummy.

The 28-year-old also saved from Bent and Fabian Wilnis fired wide - but Ipswich were made to pay for their profligacy when Baines picked the ball up 40 yards from goal after 56 minutes.

The full-back, who has been linked to a number of Premiership clubs, scored his first senior goal by unleashing an unstoppable drive which flew into the top corner.

But the home side pushed forward and were level 10 minutes later through Naylor.

Currie curled a wicked free-kick from the left and the centre-back’s flicked header from six yards left Filan rooted to the spot.

Both sides searched for a winner, with Baines trying his luck again a minute after the leveller. But just when the game looked set to end level, Bent produced the decisive strike for Joe Royle’s men.

IPSWICH: Davis, Wilnis, De Vos, Naylor, Richards, Miller, Magilton, Westlake, Currie, Bent, Kuqi.

WIGAN: Filan, Eaden, Jackson, Breckin, Baines, Teale (Graham 78), Bullard, Mahon (Wright 80), McCulloch, Ellington, Roberts.

Ref: R Beeby.