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Alan Brazil and Mick Mills pay tribute to former Ipswich and England striker Paul Mariner

England’s horizons were rather different when Paul Mariner scored the most important goal of his international career.

It was November 1981, Hungary were the visitors to Wembley and World Cup qualification was in the balance after the shock of losing the previous game in Norway.

England, having failed to reach the finals in 1974 or 1978, had to win and they staggered over the line on a night of high tension thanks to Mariner, who turned a wayward shot by Trevor Brooking into the net.

Former England and Ipswich centre forward Paul Mariner has died at the age of 68-years-old

Former England and Ipswich centre forward Paul Mariner has died at the age of 68-years-old

The goal sparked a run of rich form, six goals in five consecutive games for his country.