THE nerves might not stand it but it would be poetic justice if Wanderers were to win a penalty shoot-out at Portman Road tonight. Not only would it make up for the bitter disappointment of the spot-kick horror of their FA Cup semi-final defeat but it would also prove a major embarrassment to Ipswich and, in particular, their chairman David Sheepshanks. For it was at their behest that the Nationwide League scrapped the away goal rule in favour of penalties - a decision which could well backfire on the Suffolk club.

Sheepshanks - the League's vice-chairman - called for changes after Ipswich lost out to Wanderers on the away goals rule in last year's play-off semi-final, complaining that they felt "hard done by". They felt that, having finished three places and 10 points higher than Wanderers, they deserved more of an advantage than to play the second leg at home. The League asked for a set of proposals and the penalty shoot-out was the upshot!

How ironic that the two goals they scored at the Reebok would have given them a significant edge under the old rule!