Ipswich keep survival dream alive

Just 20 seconds after coming on as a substitute, 18-year-old Darren Bent scored the goal that throws Ipswich Town a Premiership lifeline.

George Burley's side remain in the bottom three and have still to play Manchester United and Liverpool, but their first win in 11 games offers hope. They did not make life easy for themselves but an inspired substitution from Burley swung the match in their favour.

After 56 minutes of domination without reward, Burley brought on Darren Bent for namesake Marcus and 20 seconds later the game was won as the forward got a knee to Jamie Clapham's corner to claim his first Premiership goal.

Burley said: 'It was a game we had to win and, though everybody has written us off, we showed the courage and appetite. We have a mountain to climb, but we won't give up without a fight.'

Fortunately for Burley, his players were up against a Middlesbrough side whose Premiership future has long been assured.

They offered little resistance in front of a passionate Portman Road crowd. Boro's neighbours Sunderland, now just two points above Ipswich, will not have been impressed.

Steve McClaren's side were depleted by injuries and a forward line of Szilard Nemeth and Benito Carbone failed to make an impression on an Ipswich defence that kept its third successive home clean sheet.