Christmas puns about crackers and presents crop up all the time in football reports at this time of year.

Rarely, though, could they carry more significance than in this seasonal showdown at Portman Road.

The match was every bit as exciting - not to mention frantic - as its big-match, top-of-the-table billing.

And the most thrilling moment - when Darren Bent converted Ipswich's winner in the closing seconds - really was a breathtaking way to settle an epic evening's entertainment.

It sparked mass scenes of celebration and lifted the Blues into top spot in the Coca-Cola Championship over Christmas.

Ironically, by his supreme standards, Bent had had a quiet night. But, as with all rising stars, he produced one flash of magic to turn the match on its head.

Their equaliser had come when Darren Currie, making his home debut, whipped in a pinpoint free-kick from the left and Richard Naylor edged ahead of Nathan Ellington to send a deft header past Filan.

And it was no more than the battling hosts deserved, although Wigan had broken the deadlock in truly spectacular style.

Defender Leighton Baines picked up a loose ball and, from 35 yards, blazed an extraordinary thunderbolt effort into the top right-hand corner.

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Published Wednesday, December 22, 2004

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