Football: Van Hooijdonk makes the difference as Forest extend lead

Nottingham Forest 2 Ipswich Town 1

PIERRE VAN HOOIJDONK put paid to Ipswich's long unbeaten run at the City Ground yesterday and moved Forest four points clear at the top of the First Division.

The Dutchman created one goal and scored the winner after Ipswich, who had not lost in 16 League matches, had taken the lead.

Ipswich, a match for Forest for much long periods, shook the home side a minute after the break when Mick Stockwell's cross was headed down by David Johnson and James Scowcroft applied the finishing touch.

Forest's riposte was as swift as that move had been fluent; within five minutes they were ahead. Van Hooijdonk's 53rd-minute free-kick from distance was spilled by the otherwise impressive Richard Wright and Forest's captain, Colin Cooper, knocked in his fifth goal of the season.

Then Van Hooijdonk took his tally to 32 goals this season when he moved on to a Steve Stone pass, beat Jason Cundy and clipped his shot past Wright.

Goals: Scowcroft (46) 0-1; Cooper (53) 1-1; Van Hooijdonk (58).

Nottingham Forest: Beasant; Bonalair, Rogers, Cooper, Chettle, Johnson (Hjelde, 86), Stone, Gemmill, Van Hooijdonk, Campbell, Bart-Williams. Substitutes not used: Woan, Armstrong.

Ipswich Town: Wright; Stockwell, Taricco, Dyer, Mowbray (Mathie, 78), Cundy, Clapham, Holland, Johnson, Scowcroft, Petta (Uhlenbeek, 61). Substitute not used: Sonner.

Referee: W C Burns (Scarborough).

Attendance: 22,292..

Man of the match: Van Hooijdonk.