Carlos Edwards, Luke Chambers and Daryl Murphy were on target as Town finally confirmed their place in the Championship for 2013/14 with a 3-1 home victory over Birmingham. Edwards hammered in a stunning strike in the sixth minute, Chambers headed in the second on 17 and Murphy added the third before Chris Burke pulled one back late on for the visitors.

Elliott Hewitt replaced the injured Richard Stearman at right-back in an otherwise unchanged side, the on-loan Wolves man having suffered a hamstring injury at Sheffield Wednesday last week. Lee Martin was back on the bench after missing out recently due to illness and an ankle injury.

Within a minute of the kick-off the ball all but exploded after a strong challenge between Frank Nouble and Wade Elliott in the centre circle. A surprised and amused Nikola Zigic handed the deflated former globe to referee Graham Salisbury.

The Town players felt Zigic had got his hand on the replacement ball a minute later when the 6ft 8in tall Serbian appeared to divert a Hewitt long throw from the right out of play. Referee Salisbury waved away the protests.

The Blues continued the pressure and went close to going in front in the third minute when Daryl Murphy headed Jay Tabb’s right-wing corner goalwards, however, Birmingham keeper Jack Butland reacted superbly to tip over. A minute later, Murphy sent a low ball across the box just behind Nouble.

The goal Town’s early pressure deserved came in the sixth minute, and what a goal it was. Skipper Carlos Edwards brought the ball forward unchallenged before unleashing a stunning 30-yard strike which flew beyond Butland and into the top corner of the net for his third goal of the campaign.

Birmingham, wearing a somewhat garish pink and blue kit, had been quiet in the opening stages but thought they were on terms in the eighth minute when right-back Paul Caddis crossed, Hayden Mullins flicked on and Zigic nodded home at the far post. However, the linesman’s flag was already raised.

But it was mainly Town and in the 17th minute they went two in front. Aaron Cresswell sent over a freekick from the left and Luke Chambers headed home from six yards. The Blues centre-half, who now has three for the season, will never score an easier header with Zigic having completely lost him as the ball came across.

Frank Nouble thought he’d made it 3-0 in the 21st minute when played through one-on-one by Murphy, but the Irishman had delayed his pass just too long and the linesman’s flag was raised. On 28 Nouble almost profited from a poor Elliott backpass, however, Butland was alert to it and cleared.

The Blues continued to have the better of it, although with Birmingham now having a bit more of the game than earlier and in the 35th minute Cresswell shot over.

Nouble came close again in the 40th minute when he skipped past a couple of defenders 25 yards out having been found by Tabb but sent his well-struck low effort just wide of Butland’s right post.

With the game as open as any at Portman Road this season, Town threatened to increase their lead again in the 42nd minute when Cresswell and Tabb exchanged passes on the left before the full-back cut the ball back to Nouble.

The striker took a touch before hitting a shot goalwards, the ball appearing to strike the grounded Mitch Hancox on the arm with the Town players claiming a penalty before it was bundled back to Butland. The linesman appeared initially to flag for an infringement — perhaps a backpass rather than a penalty - but referee Salisbury overruled him.

Moments before the scheduled end of the first half Nouble had the ball in the net again, but once more with the linesman’s flag having been raised. Butland had done well to save Murphy’s 25-yard strike and the former Wolves man had reacted quickest to stab the loose ball home.

A third goal, or perhaps a further increase in the lead, wouldn’t have flattered the Blues after probably their best first half performance of the season.

Town started strongly, got an early goal via Edwards’s brilliant strike, then carried on from there. Chambers took his chance when it came, while there were other opportunities to add to the lead against a Birmingham side looking every inch one whose season is already done and dusted.

The visitors should have pulled a goal back four minutes into the second half when Nathan Redmond crossed from the right and Mullins diverted the ball over from eight yards when he should have hit the target.

With rain suddenly and briefly falling heavily, former Birmingham man Guirane N’Daw shot wide from an Edwards cross on 51, before Scott Loach saved well from Zigic but once more with the linesman having flagged.

Town made it 3-0 in the 57th minute. Frank Nouble’s shot was blocked by Davies on the edge of the area, the ball falling to Murphy. The Irishman, on loan for the season from Celtic, struck a shot on the turn beyond Butland and into the net for his seventh of the season.

Murphy almost turned provider in the 64th minute, sending across a ball from the left which Hyam was just unable to reach.

Loach saved down to his left from Redmond in the 74th minute but the Midlanders were showing little serious sign of mounting a late comeback. On 76 Smith was booked for foul on Gomis.

On 78 Murphy almost made the most of a Birmingham slip midway inside their half but Edwards strayed offside as his cross came over. At the other end, Loach saved another Redmond effort from distance.

With seven minutes remaining Mick McCarthy made a triple substitution, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Michael Chopra and Lee Martin replacing Murphy, Nouble and Tabb. All three departees were given standing ovations as they left the pitch, but Martin’s entry was more muted with the former Manchester United man receiving one or two boos

Soon after, Redmond, who seemed to be on a one-man mission to pull a goal back for his side, hit another low shot which Loach claimed.

Emmanuel-Thomas scraped a shot wide in the 87th minute after good work from Edwards on the right, then a minute later Birmingham pulled a goal back. Hancox crossed from the left and sub Chris Burke took the ball down and stabbed it under Loach.

As the game entered its final moments, Martin was yellow-carded for his complaints after referee Salisbury had penalised him for encroaching at a Birmingham freekick taken by Ravel Morrison 10 yards outside the area, which Loach saved both originally and from the retake.

Not long after, the referee’s whistle confirmed Town’s place in the Championship for a 12th season via a 3-1 win which seemed in little doubt once Edwards’s goal — which might have rivalled Aaron Cresswell’s strike against Palace for the Town Goal of the Season award had it been scored earlier in the season — had put the Blues in front.

Town were on top throughout and the scoreline might have been more comfortable had other chances been taken or if referee Salisbury had been in a more generous mood when it came to awarding penalties.

After a short delay, the Blues squad with their children in tow made their way around the pitch for a lap of appreciation for fans’ support throughout a season in which Town have come from what might have been a hopeless position to a remarkable 11th place ahead of the final game of the season at Burnley next week.

Town: Loach, Hewitt, Chambers, Smith, Cresswell, Edwards, N'Daw, Hyam, Tabb (Martin 83), Nouble (Chopra 83), Murphy (Emmanuel-Thomas 83). Unused: Lee-Barrett, Kisnorbo, Drury, Wordsworth.

Birmingham City: Butland, Caddis, Davies, Robinson, Hancox, Redmond, Elliott (Burke 59,) Mullins (Gomis 59), Morrison, Ferguson, Zigic. Unused: Doyle, Caldwell, Reilly, Ambrose, Lovenkrands. Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire). Att: 21,921 (Birmingham: 1,977)

Photo: Action Images

Ipswichbusiness added 18:55 - Apr 27 It's a huge relief to see that not only are we safe, but we have a good chance of finishing in a respectable mid-table position. However, if we are to mount a credible promotion push next season then an awful lot of work needs to be done about signings over the summer.
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StochesStotasBlewe added 19:13 - Apr 27 Thankyou Mick, Thankyou Terry. You both have hugely helped to drag our beloved club from the abyss. Get in your own signings this summer & i,m very hopeful for the future. Glad to see the back of this season though. Good performance today, some nice passing, confidence in abundance, cracking strike from Carlos, a feelgood factor bginning to emerge around the club again. A happy Town fan tonight.

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IvorFeeling added 19:15 - Apr 27 This squad does not need an over-haul as Dippy4strife has suggested. Todays back five had an average age of 23 and the oldest Chambers 27. Hyam has grown into a man and along with Ndaw bullied Birmingham today. Edwards is still very fit for his age and can still play a valuable part next season. Tabb & Stearman to sign. Nouble is 21 and will learn his trade, McGoldrick 25, Jet still has time although he is frustrating. Murphy is also a player to sign-he gives the back line alot of stick and is underestimated. Wordsworth to come back, Taylor to come back. 3 or 4 players max. Today the team were fantastic and we have now quality to go with work rate. COYB

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ManningtreeBlue99 added 19:27 - Apr 27 i love you mick mccarthy
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StuartBrett8 added 19:49 - Apr 27 A few youngsters in the squad next week would be good, great result today COYB's :)
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alfromcol added 20:05 - Apr 27 Well done MM and TC for sorting the team out. Great result and performance today, played Brum off the park. Only a few additions required for next season. Hopefully we can get Stears (Hewitt to move into midfield) and Murphy. I think that Chops and Martin will move on. We have the makings of a very good side for next season.
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ericclacton added 20:07 - Apr 27 Thanks Mick.
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Marshalls_Mullet added 20:18 - Apr 27 Ivor = spot on!!
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Elizabeth added 20:44 - Apr 27 So pleased I was at the game today to witness the progress that has been made! A wonderful goal from Carlos Edwards to set us on our way to victory ! Thank you MM, TC and the team for securing our safety.It all could have been so different .
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runningout added 20:48 - Apr 27 more of the same at Turf Moor.. I will be there, come on you lot
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masetheace added 21:15 - Apr 27 Best performance of the season . Although Jewell couldn't get results lets not overlook that he brought a lot of this squad to the club
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dommyboyblue added 21:18 - Apr 27 Brilliant result today. By my reckoning this puts us back to when magilton left. Ivor is right no overhaul needed like keane did in his (lack of) wisdom, just supplement and enhance the players we have.
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ITFC_Frosty78 added 21:35 - Apr 27 wouldn't mind darren ambrose back a key player for palace a few years ago but has only made 3 starts all season for birmingham decent wide player
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Jonox123 added 21:44 - Apr 27 Still only 6 points clear of the drop zone! lol
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runaround added 22:06 - Apr 27 One of our best performances of the season and 3-1 flattered Brum. The whole team played well with everyone of the starting XI playing their part. The turn around since MM & TC came is nothing short of amazing & there's a feelgood factor around the club which has been absent for some time. Many of the loanees seem to love it here & if club can get McGoldrick, Stearman, Tabb & Murphy permanently plus another couple of additions then I think we can challenge next season. Roll on August!

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algarvefan added 22:10 - Apr 27 Happier than I've been for a long time, with the right people staying and a few good editions I believe we will be 'in the mix' for promotion next season.
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richard_4_itfc added 22:15 - Apr 27 Well done Town players, manager, squad and supporters today for a good home win over Birmingham! The team record under Mick McCarthy has been very good (taking Town from rock bottom to 11th place since he took over) and the performances have been getting better. So there is much to be thankful to Mick for keeping the club out of relegation and starting to build the basis of a better team and club. Thanks Mick & players for stepping up & getting the job done & I look forward to this continuing and making Town a better club and team. Onwards & upwards- COYB!!!

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MickMillsTash added 22:29 - Apr 27 We have been lucky with injuries under MM and things may have been different had Smith/ Chambers been injured or suspended. Also if we start well next year teams will play differently against us so we will need more creativity- many times this year we have not looked like conceding but only slightly more likely to score. these are facts not critisicms - nearly all of McCarthys actions since he has started have been proved to be correct. I think we need a goalie, centre back cover- Stearman, Creativity in centre mid and more goals from midfield. Can the forwards score enough to get us in the top 6 ? I've enjoyed this season - we have looked a proper organised team and there is much cause for optimism. There has to be a good chance of a top 6 challenge in 13/14, there is even a new ground to visit Bournemouth away.

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BlueFinn added 22:41 - Apr 27 Thank you Mick McCarthy. In the end of October I was totally resigned to seeing us in a league unknown to most Ipswich supporters. Even the teamsheet today.Most of those players are ours next season as well. In this league of loans that's a promising situation.
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h32 added 23:24 - Apr 27 Well, safe at last - good to finish with a sound performance at home - and we did just that today. Essential to try and keep Nouble and Tabb next season - both had excellent games today. Edwards also had one of his best all round days today as skipper - well done Carlos. Academy news also great - so all in all, a very pleasant Saturday all round. A point next Saturday will round it all up nicely. Looking forward to next season already - and I haven't exactly done that for a while Have a good summer all - after which we all look forward to more banter, etc; from August onwards. Hopefully we can look forward to a season of success and 'many smiley faces' . Have enjoyed it all in a strange king of way. Thank heavens for MM , TC and Co - Gentleman Take a Bow - and THANKS.

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arablue added 00:04 - Apr 28 Wel done to mm, tc and the boys! From a hopeless situation to being on the verge of a top 10 finish is just amazing..
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kangablue added 00:26 - Apr 28 So happy with the teams dedication and pride. Up every Sunday morning at 2am waiting for game reports in my little house in Sydney Australia. I love this team, COYB!
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BillBlue added 08:46 - Apr 28 H32. I agree entirely but Nouble is already ours so perhaps you meant essential to gain Stearman. We definitely need him as right back but also as cover for Smith and Chambers and should he be moved over then Hewitt can drop back from midfield where I assume he will be playing next year. It is amazing that nobody has mentioned Hewitt's performance yesterday so I assume he fitted in so well he wasn't even noticed. Well done if that was the case.

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LankHenners added 08:49 - Apr 28 Perhaps the only game this season (that I have attended) where I was thoroughly entertained for the whole game. Going on the performance, you would be forgiven to think we were a team pushing for promotion - our passing was crisp and controlled and I don't think you can say anything negative about the starting 11 today as they were all superb!. Shame about not keeping a clean sheet but the main thing is we scored three and it could have been six or seven. I felt sorry for Nouble as I felt he fully deserved a goal - he worked so hard and his offsides looked tight. Overall, an absolutely resounding performance from Mick McCarthy and Terry Connor to get us to where we are now. I think someone else pointed this out in a previous post but it is ironic now that we can finish in our highest position for 3/4 seasons when we seemed set for relegation than in the last 3/4 seasons when we always looked safe.

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TimmyH added 10:53 - Apr 28 God! only 7 points behind the so called play-off teams - if only the Board hadn't so indecisive whether to get rid of PJ then who knows where we could have ended up.
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