Magic Magilton gives Ipswich glory

Dean Holdsworth: On target for Bolton

Ipswich 5-3 Bolton (7-5 on aggregate)

Bolton shattered Ipswich's Premiership dreams for the second successive year in a breathless, invigourating encounter at Portman Road.

Sam Allardyce's side twice surrendered a one goal lead but George Burley's side never quite recovered from Allan Johnston's 50th minute strike.

Ipswich had struck an early psychological advantage before a ball had even been kicked when it was revealed that leading scorer David Johnson would be playing, despite manager George Burley previously insisting that he was injured.

One of the stars in a tense evening was Dean Holdsworth who put Bolton within sight of a second successive play-off final appearance with a first-half double.

The former Wimbledon striker stunned the home fans in a pulsating first half when he gave his side a sixth-minute lead.

Hero

However he turned from hero to villian after 18 minutes when he felled Magilton in the penalty area.

And it was Magilton who dusted himself downbefore gleefully tuckeing home the resulting spot-kick.

Holdsworth then made amends when he curled home a magnificent free-kick after 39 minutes before Magilton's second penalty was saved on the stroke of half-time.

Ipswich had struck an early psychological advantage before a ball had even been kicked when it was revealed that leading scorer David Johnson would be playing, despite manager George Burley previously insisting that he was injured.

Smart

But after Johnson had brought a smart save out of Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in the fourth minute, it was Bolton who had the advantage when Holdsworth put them in front.

Key moments

6 mins: Holdsworth makes it 1-0

18 mins: Jim Magilton scores a pen

39: Dean Holdsworth strikes again

49 mins: Jim Magilton equalises

50 mins: Allan Johnston notches Bolton's third

90 mins: Magilton completes his hat-trick

94 mins: Jamie Clapham scores pen 94

It didn't take long for Magilton to make up for his penalty miss as four minutes after the restart he put his side back on level terms.

Receiving the ball on the edge of the penalty area from Mark Venus' pass, Magilton beat two defenders before firing an angled drive high into the net.

However, there was more heartbreak for the Ipswich fans as Bolton moved swiftly back into the lead thanks to Johnston's stunning 25-yard volley.

Time seemed to be running out for the hosts until the outstanding Magilton threw Ipswich a lifeline by completed his hat-trick in the dying moments of the game.

And Ipswich booked their place at Wembley with goals in extra time from Jamie Clapham and Martijn Reuser.

Ipswich: R. Wright, Croft, Brown, Mowbray, Venus, Clapham, Holland, Magilton, Scowcroft, Johnson, Stewart. Subs: Naylor, Reuser, Branagan, Thetis, Wilnis.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Bergsson, Fish, Ritchie, Whitlow, Johansen, Jensen, Elliott, Warhurst, Johnston, Holdsworth. Subs: Banks, Hansen, Phillips, Farrelly, Passi.

Referee: B Knight (Orpington)