Shaun Goater's dry spell in front of goal came to a dramatic end yesterday as he spearheaded Manchester City to a stunning 4-1 FA Cup win over Premiership Ipswich, netting twice in the second half.

The Bermudian striker had scored just once in the previous eight games after bagging 24 goals in a lightning start to the season.

And although he denied his confidence was on the wane he must have been wondering where the next goal was coming from.

His answer came in yesterday's fourth round tie at Portman Road, a match screened live in pubs throughout Bermuda.

After a first half in which he contributed without overly threatening the Ipswich rearguard, Goater came to life in the second.

First Division City had already gone a goal up to their higher class rivals through a wonderful Eyal Berkovic volley when Goater doubled their advantage after 60 minutes.

Telling midfielder Ali Bernabia where he wanted the ball played, Goater ran onto the Algerian's pass and hit a left-footed shot across the diving Ipswich ‘keeper Andy Marshall and into the far corner.

His joy was obvious and he ran across to the Manchester City faithful to claim their applause.

Four minutes from time Goater made it two for the night when he profited from some good fortune.

He and Bernabia played a one-two outside the box before the Algerian set free Darren Huckerby on the left. Goater's strike partner let fly with a venomous shot that Marshall got a hand on but only succeeded in ballooning into the air.

Goater, always ready to pounce, leapt to meet the ball eight yards out and headed into an open goal. Huckerby completed the rout in the 90th minute, beating the offside trap and ghosting around Marshall before slotting the ball home.

In a somewhat quiet opening, Goater's first contribution came in the 20th minute. Stuart Pearce hit a searching ball down the left wing and the Islander pressured a defender into giving up possession before racing to the byline.

Unfortunately, his team-mates had not anticipated his run and there was no one in the box to pass to and he ended up giving the ball up for a goal kick.

With City stepping up the pressure, Goater's awareness of the space created another opening after 32 minutes. He beat the offside trap on the right before advancing to the box. However, his centre for the incoming Huckerby was too near the ‘keeper and the opportunity went begging.

Berkovic then grabbed the limelight and possibly a forthcoming goal of the season award when he met Bernabia's corner on the full to volley into the right hand side of the net two minutes before half-time.

City must have expected Ipswich to come out firing on all cylinders after an interval roasting from manager George Burley, but it was Kevin Keegan's men who turned the screw.

After 51 minutes Goater found himself one on one with the ‘keeper but Marshall had rushed off his line and was able to block the striker's shot before it could do any harm.

He was in the right place again shortly after but this time defender Herman Hreidarsson made an inch perfect tackle as he was shaping to shoot.

Then came the goal that ended the drought, boss Keegan shouting his appreciation and urging him on to greater things from the touchline.

He almost snatched a second when he chased a tantalising through ball, but he was about half a stride behind the pass and Marshall was able to collect.