Ipswich ... 1 Slovan Liberec ... 0 Substitute Darren Bent last night ensured Joe Royle's reign as Ipswich manager began with a UEFA Cup victory and extended their unbeaten European run at Portman Road.

The 18-year-old striker volleyed home within three minutes of coming on midway through the second period to provide a first-leg lead over Czech champions Slovan Liberec and make it 31 games without defeat on their own patch.

Royle, installed as George Burley's successor on Monday, took charge of an Ipswich side in decline but attempting to protect Britain's proudest home record in Europe, lasting 40 years.

And Liberec went the same way as the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Roma before them.

IPSWICH: Marshall, Makin, McGreal (Gaardsoe 45), Brown, Hreidarsson, Ambrose (George 78), Magilton, Holland, Clapham, Counago (Darren Bent 65), Armstrong. Subs Not Used: Pullen, Miller, Wright, Wilnis. Booked: Gaardsoe. Goals: Darren Bent 69.

LIBEREC: Kinsky, Zapotocny, Miroslav Holenak, Lukas, Janu, Capek (Slovak 74), Hodur (Ancic 79), Polak, Martin Zboncak, Slepicka (Gyan 57), Nezmar. Subs Not Used: Hauzr, Holosko, Blaha, Papousek. Booked: Zapotocny.

Referee: P Leuba (Switzerland).