Stewart pays tribute to keeper Wright

Marcus Stewart battles in Ipswich's play-off triumph

Ipswich striker Marcus Stewart admitted gaining promotion to the Premiership was "the best day of his life", and nominated goalkeeper Richard Wright as his side's hero.

Ipswich defeated Barnsley 4-2 in tense encounter to reach the Premiership at the fourth attempt, after failing in the playoffs for the past three years.

This is the best day of my life - apart from my kid being born. It's magnificent, just magnificent

Marcus Stewart

Stewart said: "Richard made a great save at 3-2 and I think that won the game for us. He was the saviour.

"In the play-off games (this season against Bolton) we had to come from behind and now we have done exactly the same thing.

"That just shows the character of the lads.

"This is the best day of my life - apart from my kid being born. It's magnificent, just magnificent."

Wright, who saved a first-half penalty from Darren Barnard that would have put Barnsley 2-1 up, played down his involvement.

All smiles after Ipswich's third

"I'm not sure if Kevin Keegan was watching - I was just glad to be involved," he said, just days before he is expected to be named as England's third-choice keeper for Euro 2000.

Wright recovered from the early goal from Craig Hignett, whose shot hit Wright and bounced into the net after rebounding off the crossbar.

"It was definitely an own goal," he said.

"I was just very disappointed the ball went in off my back. But we bounced back and the lads got us through it, which was tremendous."

Manager George Burley was clearly delighted with the victory, which came despite injuries to star men James Scowcroft and David Johnson.

"We deserved to win," he said.

"We showed the character to come back into the game and played some great football."