Fresh from their 6-1 demolition of Leicester, a sense of expectation had swept round Portman Road last night as Ipswich fans turned up praying for more of the same against winless Bradford.
And they duly observed two classic long-range goals - the only problem being that both arrowed into the Ipswich net.
Town and their supporters were brought shuddering back to earth as Michael Proctor's late strike - adding to a 25-yard free-kick by Paul Evans - handed the Bantams an unlikely success at Portman Road.
As well as dealing George Burley's troops an early blow in their promotion quest, the setback cost them the chance to push up to fourth in Division One.
The Blues were certainly worthy of a point despite never being at their best, but one major talking point cast a shadow over any positives.
And that was their defensive frailties which, for the second game in a row, proved costly.
To put it bluntly, Ipswich are crying out for the gritty determination and organisational skills of injured duo John McGreal and Mark Venus.
Thomas Gaardsoe again struggled against a hard-working attack, and it was against his name most blame can be attached for the all-important second goal.
Proctor's eventual 20-yard finish was a spectacular and worthy winner, but the embarrassing ease with which he turned the Dane left a sour taste.
Especially as the evening had begun with such promise, thanks to two young guns who again made a big impression.
Not for the first time, Darren Bent and Darren Ambrose underlined their rich potential not to mention almost telepathic understanding by engineering Town's early opener.
Bent flicked the ball out to Ambrose on the right and he whipped over a teasing cross to the far post where his pal nodded home from close range.
The goal fuelled expectations of another rampage, but those dreams were largely extinguished just ten minutes later.
Long-range specialist Paul Evans stepped up to send a curling 25-yard free-kick over the Ipswich wall and beyond Andy Marshall.
The half-time score of 1-1 was a fair reflection, as it would have been 45 minutes later had it not been for Proctor.
Both sides had their chances during an entertaining, open contest.
Marshall denied the match-winning striker in the first half and also tipped another Evans thunderbolt onto the bar.
Marcus Stewart was thwarted in similar fashion when his header cannoned off the woodwork.
And to complete a night of frustration, Bent had a header deflected over, Ambrose an angled drive pushed behind and Stewart a shot blocked by Davison.
Dejected Ipswich boss George Burley said: "I was disappointed to lose a game we really needed to win, especially as our defending was so poor.
"Both of their goals could have been prevented. I was cross with the first because we're always talking about conceding free-kicks in that area.
"As for the winner, it was a very bad goal to give away."
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Published Tuesday August 27, 2002
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