Town won their way through to a fourth round home tie with Coventry City after beating a below strength Arsenal with a late James Scowcroft goal.

The Blues also left out a number of players with David Johnson partnering Marcus Stewart and Mark Venus making way for Titus Bramble. Arsenal, however fielded a line-up far from familiar, with several of the youngsters who were on show in the reserve match at Portman Road two weeks ago in the starting line-up.

The evening started with an impeccably kept minute's silence for Arsenal reserve coach George Armstrong who died on Tuesday. This clearly deeply affected many of the Arsenal side who worked with Armstrong on a day-to-day basis.

Town went ahead almost as soon as the game started with Jamie Clapham rifling the ball back into the corner of the net after a Fabian Wilnis cross was headed on by David Johnson. It was a fine finish from a player who has scored few goals from open play during his time at Town.

The first half was a somewhat shapeless affair. The windy weather was clearly not helping things and neither side managed to get too much good passing together. Town were certainly not outclassing their generally much younger opponents while Wiltord was showing the odd moment of class. His most notable contribution to the first half was a fierce shot from outside the area which beat Richard Wright, but hit the bar.

The half lacked chances with Town coming nearest to a second with a Titus Bramble header from a corner. Arsenal, however, drew level right on half time. The Gunners forced two corners on their left and from the second Igors Stephanovs rose high to glance home. It was probably deserved in a half where no side really asserted themselves completely.

At half-time Town removed both Marcus Stewart and Titus Bramble. Whether this was a tactical move or whether there were injuries we have to see. Jamie Clapham dropped to left back as Hermann Hreidarsson moved into Bramble's centre-half spot and sub Reuser came into the midfield. Scowcroft joined Johnson up front.

Town started the half a bit better and started to pass the ball around well. The Blues were looking more likely to score than they were during most of the first half. However, both sides had chances as the game became much more entertaining.

Hermann Hreidarsson had a shot from close in cleared off the line and hit the side-netting with his follow-up. Martijn Reuser missed a real Reuser speciality when one-on-one with the keeper. Unlike in the play-off games he blasted his shot just over. Gunners' keeper Stuart Taylor made one or two nice saves from Johnson and Scowcroft and Town may have had a shout for a penalty when Johnson was pulled back by Stephanovs.

At the other end Matthew Upson had a header hit the post and Sylvain Wiltord pushed Richard Wright into making a magnificent save. Wiltord's shot exoceted its way unerringly goalwards until the Town keeper managed to get across to his left and up and tipped it over the bar. Later Wiltord tried to lob the Town keeper, but the ball ended up on the roof of the net.

As the game moved into the last ten minutes Town got themselves well on top and arsenal managed to repell several scrambles. Eventually the goal which prevented us all having to sit through extra-time came, James Scowcroft turned the ball home after David Johnson had an opportunity stopped inside the penalty area.

A scrappy goal to cap a pretty scrappy performance, but when the whistle blew a couple of minutes later the result was all that mattered. A home tie with Coventry next in this competition which could be our best route to Europe. By no means the best performance of the season and a largely passionless game in a two-thirds full Highbury. Saturday's trip to Newcastle promises to be a whole lot more of an occasion.

Photo: Action Images

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