Steve Burton was the hat-trick hero as Town had little trouble in taking apart Bristol City apart at Portman Road this evening. Town were two-up at half-time and by the end had added three more.

Town had much the better of the first half with Ian Westlake having the first opportunity in the fifth minute. His shot went wide. Town went even close on 14 when Robert Dickinson hit a freekick across the face of the goal from a tight angle on the left. Steve Burton had been fouled by Sekani Simpson. From the resulting corner Bent's header was just stopped on the line by Simpson.

It was all Town and City hardly got into the Town half. Bonwick headed goalwards but his effort was cleared wide. Two minutes later Burton almost put through Westlake down the right of the area but Lindsay in the City goal was out quickly.

Just before the half hour Dickinson missed a sitter right in front of the far post as a deep cross from the right just went over Bent on the front post. Dickinson hit his shot wide.

On 30 Bristol City won their first corner from which they scrambled several shots. Eventually Darren Hawkins hit an effort wide of Peat's right-hand post.

A minute later Dickinson had a shot well-saved by the keeper before Darren Bent went over.

Bristol City's Ryan Harley hit a freekick off the wall which the referee had placed it nearly 20 yards away from the kick.

A minute later Danny Hawkins had a shot tipped wide by Peat in the Town goal before Danny Platt hammered over as Bristol enjoyed some pressure.

However, it was Town who were to go ahead in the 39th minute. Steve Burton headed in excellently at the far post from a fine deep cross from the left. Although City had just had their best spell, overall Town were by far the better side.

Two minutes later Bent had a shot saved after being put through well by Burton, who was having an excellent few minutes.

As the half ended Town went two-up. A superb right-wing cross from Darren Ambrose was headed home at the near-post by Darren Bent. The crossing from the youngsters was teaching the senior side a few lessons and a two-nil half-time lead was well deserved as they went off for the quartered oranges.

No changes at half-time and it was City who nearly scored as the half began. Ben Trace flicked the ball over the on-rushing peat, but Beevers was on the line to clear. Trace got a second go as Town failed to clear completely but his shot was saved by Peat.

Robert Dickinson missed another sitter when Darren Bent unselfishly played the ball to him with the City defence all over the place. Dickinson's shot was saved by Lindsay with his feet. A minute later Dickinson injured his head when colliding with a defender. After a few minutes treatment he carried on.

On 53 summer signing Chris Hogg came on for Lee Beevers who looked to be nursing a leg injury.

The Robins' Trace was booked on 58 for a late challenge on Bonwick. On the hour Bent was played in down the right but Lindsay saved well.

Darren Ambrose was next to bring a save from Lindsay as he ran mazily through the City defence.

Town went three up a minute or so later when Lindsay flapped at a corner. The ball bounced around inside the box before Burton flicked it home. Immediately Darren Bent was replaced by Dean Bowditch, the youngster who has impressed up front for the U17s this season.

On 70 Burton had the ball in the net again but he had been flagged offside early in the move.

Four minutes later City were down to ten men. Ambrose ran on to a long ball into the City half and Lindsay ran out the clear. The keeper, who had had a largely good game, missed the ball and took Ambrose. A yellow card looked the fairest but referee Artis deemed him to be the last man and showed the keeper the red card. Striker Aubrey was replaced with sub keeper Coupe.

The new keeper wasn't long in conceding a goal. Burton ran in from the left, set his sights and hit a shot which the keeper sent flying into the air. Unfortunately for him the ball looped just under the bar and over the line despite a desperate dive at the last second from the keeper.

On 80 hat-trick hero Burton was replaced with Sam Morrow.

On 82 Westlake hit the ball over after Bowditch had laid the ball back to him. Then Ambrose had a shot tipped over by the sub keeper. Dickinson also pulled a save from the keeper in the late stages the keeper tipping the ball wide. With little left on the clock Sam Morrow volley home a Westlake cross from the edge of the area for the fifth. Morrow was booked in the last few seconds for a foul on Simpson and a minute or so later the whistle went.

As fine a way to start a cup run as there is.

Photo: Action Images

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