THAT’S RITCH Matt keeps Toon in the Cup but Prem’s struggle
said: “Scoring g o a ls and winning games.” Ritchie’s leveller papered over the crack of a performance that lacked authority as a host of shadow players were given a chance by Benitez only to flop.
Newcastle are attempting to go beyond the fourth round for the first time in 13 years, but were as unconvincing as their league form at home.
Tony Mowbray’s side were magnificent. Dack, 25, burst across the defence as Elliott Bennett crossed from the right, after finding space for Charlie Mulgrew’s free-kick.
He hammered his chance through keeper Freddy Woodman. Mowbray said: “The dressing room is quiet and disappointed. But we were in League One last year. Newcastle are a historic club with a manager who has won the European Cup and a huge support base.
“We have a tough test in the replay.” ACCRINGTON’S Billy Kee poached the goal that sank Championship side Ipswich – but it was no massive Cup surprise really.
Paul Lambert’s struggling Tractor Boys have been bogged down in the Championship mud since he arrived in October.
And with only one win in 12 games, Lambert’s men were on the back foot long before Kee’s breakthrough.
It left an angry Lambert, who said: “It shows that this club needs to be rebuilt, and some players will be going.
“This club should not be in the state it is in. It’s an absolute disgrace. This is too big a club for this, but if you take your eye off the ball, this can happen.”
Stanley boss John Coleman beamed: “If we can get a plum draw now, the cash raised can sustain us for next season. Sixteen years ago our Cup run against Huddersfield and Bournemouth allowed us to go full time, and now we need another boost.
“But to start favourites shows how we have progressed.”
League Two’s ‘little Accy’ started just 12 spots below Ipswich and there was no massive gap between them on the field. When Kee (above) scored, it was the ninth time in successive seasons that Ipswich have failed to get past the third round, four of their defeats being against lower division teams.
In the end, it took a set-piece to break the deadlock on 76 minutes.
A free-kick by skipper Sean McConville was headed back across goal by Ben Richards-Everton, with Kee pouncing for his ninth strike of the season, his header giving Bartosz Bialkowski no chance. Possession 4 5% 55% Shots On Target 4 3 Shots Off Target 4 5 Blocked Shots 3 1 Corners 6 4 Fouls Conceded 14 16 Offsides 1 1 Yellow Cards 1 Red Cards 0 0 0