Town eventually ran out winners of a stupendous play-off semi-final second leg at Portman Road last night in a game that saw Bolton reduced to nine men, have ten booked and concede three penalties. A hat-trick from Jim Magilton, a penalty from Jamie Clapham and a fifth goal from Martijn Reuser saw Town to Wembley for the first time since the 1978 Charity Shield.
The Blues lined up with David Johnson in the ranks despite earlier reports that he would be missing through injury. Wayne Brown replaced Manu Thetis and played on the right side of defence.
The game started badly for Town when Dean Holdsworth tapped in Bolton's first after Richard Wright had flapped badly at a cross. Town came back into it after 18 minutes when they were awarded the first of the evening's penalties. Jim Magilton received a one-two just inside the box and was bundled over by Dean Holdsworth. There was little doubt over the decision despite protests from the Bolton players. Magilton himself stepped up and banged it in at Jaaskelainen's right.
The game remained equal for only 21 minutes when Bolton were awarded a dubious free-kick after Allan Johnston had taken a theatrical dive. Dean Holdsworth stepped up and put the ball past the wall and in off Richard Wright's left post. The mood in Portman Road sank once again as memories of previous play-offs flooded through the minds of Town fans.
The mood brightened when referee Barry Knight awarded Town their second penalty and the only one of the night over which there was any question. A sold challenge from Paul Ritchie saw Marcus Stewart and the ball both fly into the air, Mr Knight adjudged that Stewart had been made contact with first and pointed to the spot. This time the Bolton protests were far more vociferous with several of their players protesting vehemently into Knight's face. Chief amongst these was Dean Holdsworth who had only just been booked for a dreadful challenge on Magilton. As the protests died down there was an altercation between Magilton and Whitlow. Holdsworth again got involved and the referee had words. All this must have unsettled Magilton as his spot-kick, identical to the first, was saved by Jaaskelainen.
Half-time came and there was time for reflection on the first half. The Blues certainly hadn't played at their best and many were calling for a swift introduction of Martijn Reuser. All was not well with the supporters.
The second half started with a bang. Town equalised through Jim Magilton's second of the night. The midfielder received the ball from Johnson and dribbled past a couple of defenders before lashing the ball past Jaaskelainen. It was a superb goal, but again parity was not to last. Within a minute Allan Johnston had taken advantage of Richard Wright being off his line with a shot which flew over the keeper's head and in to the net. Again the heads dropped on the terraces and memories of Sheffield Unites, Charlton and last season came back.
Town still weren't playing at their best and by now had reverted to 4-4-2 with Martijn Reuser replacing Wayne Brown. On the terraces the anxiety increased as the minutes ticked away. Jaaskelainen wasted as much time as he could every time he had the ball and the Bolton booking count increased as they tried to upset Town's rhythm with their more physical style.
Finally, with just 50 seconds on the clock Town got their third. Tony Mowbray, who was by now operating as a striker up front with Johnson, Stewart and substitute Richard Naylor nodded the ball down and Magilton hammered home for his hat-trick. Portman Road went wild as some of the Bolton players sank to their knees.
There was just time on the clock for one more incident, the first sending off of the night. Mike Whitlow pulled back Marcus Stewart as he bore down on goal and was sent on his way. The final whistle blew with Town fans feeling that the game was now theirs for the taking.
The two sets of players went off to either side of the pitch for the pre-extra time chat. It was interesting that the Town players remained on their feet and looked ready for more action whilst their Bolton counterparts were sat on the floor and looked run ragged.
Extra-time started and within minutes Town had a third penalty, again one with which they could have had no argument. David Johnson was wrestled to the ground by Paul Ritchie when the ball had already run away from him. This time it was Jamie Clapham who walked up to take it. The full-back slammed it down the middle as Jaaskelainen dived to his left. Town were in front for the first time and it looked like there was no way back for Bolton.
The first half of extra-time had just one more incident of note when Robbie Elliott sent Martijn Reuser flying just below the Bolton fans. It was a terrible challenge that some referees would have given a straight red for, but Knight showed a yellow and then a red.
The second half of extra-time saw Town break on numerous occasions as Bolton pushed their remaining players forward. It was from one of these breaks that Town scored their fifth.
Richard Naylor did well in holding off a defender before putting Martijn Reuser through. The Dutchman held his nerve and hammered it home from ten yards.
The relief around the crowd was palpable as the celebrating began. The whistle went and it was onto the pitch with the players held high on shoulders and joining in the singing. David Sheepshanks and George Burley came back out and spoke a few words to the crowd.
The crowd then dispersed into town to discover that all the pubs and clubs had been closed. Off home to celebrate and make plans for Wembley...