Mark Venus and Jermaine Wright combined to feed Armstrong in plenty of space and the striker drilled a low shot beyond Mark Schwarzer. Five minutes later Ipswich took the lead, Armstrong showing a predator's instinct as he nipped in front of Dean Gordon to steer Marcus Stewart's cross inside the far post. Steve Bennett Armstrong richly deserved the applause he received from Middlesbrough as well as Ipswich fans when he was substituted and it was fitting that he was the last player to leave the pitch after the final whistle, having returned to salute the visiting supporters. We're approaching, hopefully, a European spot. Any result other than an Ipswich victory would have been a travesty and Boro are once again nervously looking over their shoulder after victories for Coventry City and Derby County.
Today is a blip and the other results are disappointing.
We expected more after Saturday. Alun Armstrong has done very well at Ipswich and good luck to him. He's had a terrible time with injuries and he's come back from that. I'm sure he'll not be looking forward to seeing me,' he said. Click here for Terms of Use and Privacy Policy applicable to this site.