The City fans who were at the game certainly weren't too down on their way back to the East Midlands even with such a hideous embarrassing scoreline.

The day had not started well with horrific traffic jams getting into the game causing us to be late, combined with a thunderstorm that none of us had come prepared for with it being so sunny when we set off from Leicester.

Then we get the crappy seats in Portman Road. Again. Priority cards? What's the fooking point when you stick the most loyal fans right up at the back of the stand with huge beams in the way. Unimpressed.

The game started and made up for it all though. What an opening 20 minutes from City; the pace was awesome and the play really exciting... heart in your mouth stuff, with chances at both ends.

City had worries as an early sub stripped off and there were groans as Gerry Taggart ran gingerly off the field and straight down the tunnel after only 18 minutes.

Things looked as though they were going belly up for City when not long after poor Jon Ashton, who'd replaced Taggs and was just starting to warm up and get into the frenzied game, saw the ball hit his arm in the penalty area.

The Ipswich fans, who had been silent all game, finally cheered...but not for long. Ian Walker saved the spotkick from Marcus Stewart, collecting the ball as it bounced back down from above him. The City fans started singing again thinking maybe it was their day. Scowy immediately had a wonderful chance down the other end, absolutely blasting the ball and hitting the crossbar.

But then lady fate decided to take the micky out of us again, with Muzzy Izzet going off after only half an hour.Things went from bad to worse as Summerbee then tottered along the touchline with a pulled hamstring and also had to be replaced. City had used all their subs and it wasn't even half time.

Ipswich took advantage of a confused City, who were now playing people out of position, and piled on the pressure in injury time. Matt Holland finally got the better of the battling Mad Frank to strike home.

City didn't give up though and with about a minute of injury time left to play, went straight back down the other end. Jon Stevenson pulled the ball round and struck it rather weakly from 25 yards out but at least he had a go and it was on target. Unbelievably it bobbled under the dogy keeper, skimmed the wet grass and went in! The City fans went nuts and sang their team off at half time as though we'd won the game.

The second half started in similar end to end fashion, and even when Matt Holland scored a second it looked as though the game could go either way.

Ipswich boss George Burley then started to make tactical substitutions that worked brilliantly, bringing on quality players. Finidi George made an immediate impact setting up the wonderkid Ambrose with the easiest of headers.

Ipswich then just came at City again and again and the City defence legged it off the park. Ipswich just took it in turns to run and pass and cross and shoot from all over the park.

They had one disallowed, another penalty claim turned down and still managed to put another 4 past us before the final whistle put our tired and dejected team oot of its misery! But at least we didn't gve up and pt plenty of pressure on them in their box right up until the end too.

If this is how we play when we lose a couple of key players then god help us for the season. If it was just one of those blips that we bounce back from then there's no need to really worry. City fans saw some good encouraging stuff today and we probably played the best team in the division apart from ourselves.

Hopefully they've learnt a lot from today, the injuries are nothing serious and we can bounce back and get some confidence back by thrashing the next few teams we meet.

Another great view from Portman Road. Not.	The story of the day...the City physio on the pitch
Mad Frank hoofs it	Stef stuffs up another free kick
Another 3 yellows today	Dodgy Keeper gathers for a change as City try to reduce the deficit