Ipswich 4 Morecambe 0

Last updated : 04 January 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Ipswich strolled through to the fourth round of the FA Cup as they saw off Morecambe at this stage of the competition for the second time in three years.

In 2001 Town won 3-0 at Morecambe, but managed to go one better this time, against visitors reduced to ten men after just 20 minutes.

Ipswich were already a goal up by that time, Jamie Clapham volleying home from 20 yards in only the second minute.

Town keeper Andy Marshall showed his reflexes to deny both Danny Carlton and Lee Elam, before any chance of an upset disappeared when Jim Bentley was sent off for hauling down Pablo Counago on the edge of the box.

Morecambe got bodies back behind the ball to make life tough for Town, who failed to create too much before the break, despite dominating play.

Richard Naylor saw a header tipped onto the bar in the 50th minute, but Adriano Rigoglioso almost scored for the Shrimpers when he chipped his shot over the bar from a clever Stewart Drummond pass.

Substitute Darren Bent sparked Ipswich and he scored the second in the 65th minute, controlling a long Darren Ambrose pass before rounding keeper Craig Mawson to score.

Ipswich killed off the plucky visitors with two further goals after 75 and 77 minutes.

Ambrose got the third when he cut in from the left wing to curl home a deflected 20-yard shot.

Bent then doubled his tally, tapping in after Matt Holland headed back an Ambrose corner.

After the goal, Morecambe wasted their best chance, substitute Robbie Talbot blazing wide from a good angle The home fans' chants for Martijn Reuser were answered when he came on late in the game and he twice came close to a goal before fellow midfielder Jermaine Wright struck a low shot against the post.