Ipswich Town expected a smooth ride as they embarked on their latest UEFA Cup adventure.

What they actually got was a night of bitter frustration until virtually the last kick here in the humble surroundings of the Luxembourg National Stadium.

Far from chalking up the landslide victory which most of us predicted, George Burley's side turned in a truly diabolical performance to leave this tie intriguingly poised.

Of course, Ipswich start as favourites to finish the job at Portman Road.

Part-timers Beggen might be lacking in terms of skill and flair but they make up for it in physical presence, work-rate and endeavour.

And it looked as if those attributes might pay dividends when, with the score still 0-0, the stadium scoreboard ticked past 90 minutes.

Then, fortuitously, Ipswich raided to snatch a narrow first-leg lead and put themselves in the driving seat for the return match on August 29.

Jim Magilton slid the ball forward for Marcus Stewart and the striker tucked a low shot past keeper Kevin Hartert.

The goal helped spare Ipswich's blushes and those of the previously anonymous Stewart.

The harsh reality is that this was a poor team performance, with few players making any genuine impression.

Published Friday August 16, 2002

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