Football: Dorigo hits the spot

Leeds United. . .1

Ipswich Town. . .0

THE difference between these two sides was that Leeds needed and wanted the points more than their opponents, who seemed more concerned with preserving skin and bone for next Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal.

Certainly Ipswich Town, who played throughout with nine or 10 men behind the ball, were reluctant to come out and make a game of it. 'I knew they would be very difficult to break down,' United's manager, Howard Wilkinson, said. 'Until you get the first goal against them it's like shoving custard uphill.'

If the first half was painful for spectators so it was for John Wark, who on a tingling afternoon was almost unmanned by blocking Leeds' best effort, a juicy left-foot volley by the Norwegian Frank Strandli - again preferred to Lee Chapman.

The match improved, as it had to, after the resumption when Leeds, prompted by the ubiquitous Gordon Strachan, began to thread the ball down the flanks.

Ipswich, now fraying at the edges, were fortunate to survive a penalty appeal in the 66th minute after Tony Dorigo's right-foot drive clearly struck Jason Dozzell's arm.

Although the referee, Mike Reed, took no action on that occasion, justice was done six minutes later when David Batty, receiving from Rod Wallace, was blatantly fouled by Mick Stockwell.

Fittingly, Dorigo took the penalty and scored his first goal of the season with a low shot wide of Clive Baker's left hand.

Leeds United: J Lukic; J Newsome, T Dorigo, D Batty, C Fairclough, D Wetherall, G Strachan, Rod Wallace, F Strandli (L Chapman, 77 min), Ray Wallace, G Speed. Subs not used: D Rocastle, M Day (gk). Manager: H Wilkinson.

Ipswich Town: C Baker; G Johnson, N Thompson, M Stockwell, J Wark, D Linighan, G Williams, B Genchev (P Goddard, 79 min), S Whitton, J Dozzell, C Kiwomya. Subs not used: P Whelan, C Forrest (gk). Team manager: M McGiven.

Referee: M Reed (Birmingham).

Goal: Dorigo 1-0 (pen, 72 min).