Ten goals - eight scored by Ipswich Town players - only tell part of the story on a day which lurched from ecstasy to irritation for Blues fans.

Two-up and cruising in nine minutes, no-one could have forseen the unbelievable drama which followed.

Pablo Counago twists past a Crewe defender Picture: NIGEL BROWN

Miller was the main beneficiary early on and got off to a dream start with two scorching goals.

The first came after a weak headed clearance by David Wright.

Miller fired an unstoppable, low shot which skidded just inside the left-handed post and was to add to his tally soon after.

Wright, to some extent, was the culprit again as he let Pablo Counago cut inside, rolling the ball into the path of Miller.

The midfielder struck a curling shot which bent inside the top left-hand corner.

Kenny Lunt responded for the visitors which he launched the ball forward and Dean Ashton muscled in front of Richard Naylor before steering his volley - via the bar - past a despairing Kelvin Davis.

John McGreal made the net ripple for the second time in seven days just after the break and it was the start of some comical defending.

Last week he scored at Reading - this time he turned into his own goal after a low cross by Ashton.

Shefki Kuqi headed Town back in front after a centre by Matt Richards - and the young full-back was involved in the next goal at the other end.

Naylor's weak clearance was fired goalwards by Ben Rix. Davis parried his shot but it ricochetted into the net off Richards.

Martijn Reuser's cross-shot from the right put the hosts in the ascendancy again and they extended their lead when Counago rifled home from the edge of the D.

James Robinson fired in from a tight angle to reduce the arrears, but Kuqi'a right-foot shot took the goal tally into double figures.

Published Monday January 19, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette