Grant Ward’s fourth goal of the season saw Town to a comfortable 1-0 victory over Preston North End at Portman Road. The former Spurs man smashed home from the edge of the box in the 15th minute.

The Blues were without striker Daryl Murphy who is understood to have travelled to Newcastle for talks and to undergo a medical ahead of his impending move to the Magpies.

The Irishman was replaced in the side by Brett Pitman, while Tommy Smith returned at the heart of the defence for Adam Webster, who dropped to the bench.

Town dominated the early stages, Pitman sending over a low cross from the right in the third minute which was cut out.

Preston were forced to make a change in the 14th minute when Jermaine Beckford went down injured and was replaced by Jordan Hugill.

While the Blues had been on top they had been unable to create a serious chance but on 15, with their first shot on target, they went in front.

A freekick on the right was played short to Kevin Bru by Cole Skuse. The Mauritius international’s cross headed out by Hugill to Ward, who took a touch before shooting past Lilywhites keeper Anders Lindegaard, who remained rooted to the spot appearing to have been unsighted, to claim his fourth Blues goal.

Town threatened again two minutes later when Bru whipped over a corner from the right but Tommy Smith was unable to get enough on his header. The New Zealand international clearly thought he should have done better.

Freddie Sears wasn’t far away from ending his 31-goal goal drought in the 21st minute when sent away by Pitman. The former West Ham man cut inside a defender and hit a shot which Lindegaard just managed to tip wide. From the corner, Pitman headed down but straight at the keeper.

Preston hit their first shot of the game in the 29th minute, Bartosz Bialkowski sharply palming Callum Robinson’s shot over. From the corner, the Polish keeper collided with Hugill and required treatment before continuing.

On 38 Tommy Spurr picked up the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Ward. Following the freekick, last week’s derby goal hero Jonas Knudsen lashed over from distance.

Five minutes later, Robinson hit a low shot from the edge of the box which gave Bialkowski no problem. Moments later, Jonathan Douglas broke into the area at the other end but the ball was stabbed away from him before he could get in a shot.

The Blues will go in at the break more than happy with their first 45 minutes’ work against a not overly dangerous-looking Preston side.

Town had controlled the game for the most part, moving the ball around confidently at times, while the again excellent Ward took his goal in much the same manner as his three strikes against Barnsley.

Sears will feel he should have netted his first goal since last December at Fulham and increased the lead.

At the other end, Bialkowski saved Preston’s only real opportunity, Robinson’s strike from distance, but the Blues’ backline had prevented the visitors from creating anything more clear-cut.

Less than three minutes after the restart Sears was almost given another chance by Pitman.

The former West Ham man fed the ex-Bournemouth man out to the left and he played a first time ball into the box but Lindegaard reacted quickly to claim.

As the game moved towards the hour mark Chris Humphrey cut in from the right unchallenged before hitting a shot which was blocked by Christophe Berra and deflected back off the Preston man and out of play.

The visitors were having more of the ball in the second half but without being able to creating much, aside from Humphrey’s run and shot.

Pitman hit a shot on the turn wide off a defender in the 71st minute after being found by Douglas on the edge of the box, but the Blues hadn’t created too many more opportunities to add to their lead.

As the game moved into its final quarter of a hour Teddy Bishop replaced Bru for Town and Liam Grimshaw took over from Daniel Johnson for the Lancastrians.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 78th minute when Humphrey’s long throw reached Doyle on the edge of the six-yard box but the sub was unable to get a touch on the ball.

In the 79th minute Town boss McCarthy remonstrated angrily with the fourth official as he prepared to bring Luke Varney on as a sub - for Sears according to the board - presumably as the striker’s introduction had been delayed.

Referee Tim Robinson was called over to restore calm before the game continued without Varney having entered the fray.

At the next break in play the hapless fourth official held up his board again indicating that Varney was replacing Sears only for his number 20 to be switched for Pitman’s 11. The striker was eventually warmly applauded off by the crowd.

Moments later, Knudsen cut in from the left and teed-up Ward, who smashed high and wide. Probably the first time the former Tottenham winger had missed the target since joining the Blues.

With three minutes remaining Hugill headed a cross from the left well wide at the far post with a visitors’ equaliser not looking on the cards.

In five minutes of added on time, Ward found himself breaking in on goal on the left of the area but showed too much of the ball to Lindegaard, who grabbed it away from him with Sears in the centre unmarked.

At the other end, Smith out-muscled Doyle with the ball bouncing dangerously around the area. Webster replaced Ward for the final few moments.

Preston launched balls into the box in the final moments but the Town backline repelled everything sent their way to confirm the Blues’ second home win of the season.

Town were very much the better side in the first half and deserved their lead at the break.

In the second not hugely enthralling half they consolidated their lead and only rarely created chance to add to their advantage but were similarly seldom threatened by the not overly impressive visitors.

The Blues, who are 10th, are next in action after the international break, away against Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Friday 9th September in a live Sky game.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Bru (Bishop 75), Ward (Webster 90), Sears, Pitman. Unused: Gerken, Kenlock, Digby, Varney, Dozzell.

Preston: Lindegaard, Humphrey, Clarke (c), Wright, Cunningham, Spurr (Doyle 55), Welsh, Gallagher, Johnson (Grimshaw 75), Robinson, Beckford (Hugill 14). Unused: Maxwell, Huntington, Browne, Makienok. Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex). Att: 15,296 (Preston: 297).

Photo: Action Images

IpswichT62OldBoy added 16:57 - Aug 27 Great result, good performance, something to build on.
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carlo88 added 17:02 - Aug 27 Away at Reading next, where it all started to go wrong.
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WindsorBlueArmy added 17:02 - Aug 27 Thought I'd add to positivity.Another pleasing performance against a team who beat QPR away.Just think a fortnight to add to squad,beat Reading and we could be 2nd. Not to mention Norwichs result at Birmingham!!!!!!!!
12

bedsitfc added 17:02 - Aug 27 Boo MM out lol At least the negative trolls won't be so noisy tonight. Yes I know we could have won 10-0
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Mr_Evans added 17:03 - Aug 27 We were so lacklustre 2nd half - We only won the game because Preston were very poor. If Murphy goes then we need to spend all that money for a replacement. Clayton Donaldson would be idea. A win is a win but Sears and Chambers need a good kick up the arse.
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Tractorboy1985 added 17:04 - Aug 27 Great result lads after the news Murph is set to leave! May have affected some put pleased to get the 1-0 win! This was a tricky game after they beat QPR last week! This league is anyone's and I'm confident that putting the ball into the right areas for pitman and Sears they will score goals! Great servant murph and will be missed but come on he's 33 and if the fee of 3.5 million is to be correct we can't turn that down! Probably come back to haunt us come October but hopefully the young lad from palace joins tonight which I'm sure Mick will confirm and with him and the superb grant on the wings we have players to get us fans excited! Up the town! Happy bank holiday to all!!! I never felt more like singing the blues.. Ipswich win.. Naaaaaarrrrich looooose ohhhhhh Ipswich.....

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unknown100 added 17:11 - Aug 27 Good result, not the best performance but must say defence looked better with smith! Nice to see a bit of playing style and long ball to a minimum in first half, think once bishops back fully, ward, grant settle in and a new striker we will be all set!
15

TimmyH added 17:13 - Aug 27 Solid performance and a fairly comfortable win...glad to see Ward score again but a little worried that our strikers haven't hit the net so far this season. The most positive thing for me though is only 1 conceeded in the last 3 games, if we carry on like that it won't matter where the goals come from. Well done all!
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EssexTractor added 17:16 - Aug 27 One excellent shot and so three points But Play awfully scrappy Swirling wind didn't help But How an earth did we contrive to make Preston look even average . They were woeful Yet we had 10 men defending at the end. Attendance today...despite the win so so poorly entertaining, not to woo absentees back again That's the truth. Our shots today, watch the replays!!! Good luck to Murphy if he gets the deal.

2

timmy2guns added 17:18 - Aug 27 At the game today, admittedly first time in a while as I'm visiting, but can see why the post game comments are so mixed. Whilst the result was good - and 3 points are great The overall quality of the game was to be honest poor and Preston will be disappointed not to get something from the game. I'm baffled at the football MM is trying to play. Against a stronger side we would struggle. Any money we get for Murphy could be invested but it needs a shake up. 15k there today... Summer holidays but still low surely. Positives - back four were pretty good today and kept their strikers at bay. Ward looks quality and creative. Knudsen definitely growing on me. Smith was MOM. Pittman did the job he was asked and won a lot in the air today in murphys place showing he can fill in there, but has so much more to his game that should be brought out. Things to be addressed -Sears is unaffective in the wide position and I feel sorry for him. The three in the middle 2 of which aren't ball players are assisting the long ball game as they just don't want the ball. When bish came on he couldn't even get on the ball to show his quality. Trouble is that 3 points today is good but won't fix the long term problems.

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iaintaylorx added 17:21 - Aug 27 Good three points again boys, with 5 from our last 9 and three good tough teams, all looking good now! What a signing Ward is proving to be and an bargain too! Lets hope KaiKai comes in too and reinvest the 4M from Murphy in a right back and a good striker, things will be even better! I am starting to feel confident again and Mick deserves alot of credit!
6

strikalite added 17:32 - Aug 27 After the news about Murphy the three points today is a comfort to us all, sod how we played, result before the International break was important, well done lads...
9

jas0999 added 17:33 - Aug 27 Good and deserved win albeit against very poor opposition. Thought we played well in the first half and were in complete control. Smith in my opinion is a better option and we have missed him. However, thought it was disappointing we didn't press on on the second half which was very dull, with both teams looking average championship sides. Poor attendance and although not a surprise, I would have thought we may have learnt from last season and rather than just sit back, try to attack and entertain. Was this performance sufficient to convince the stay away fans to return? I'm not convinced. Grant Ward looks an excellent signing and as I have said before, goes to show the extra quality available if you are prepared to spend a very modest fee. Speaking of which, if Murphy is to move on I'm hoping for busy end the transfer window. There will be bigger tests to come and for me the squad still lacks depth and quality. We need to reinvest the money in a couple of decent strikers (not Leon Best). McGoldrick being injury prone leaves us with few options, as Pitman is better suited as a sub and Sears sadly isn't scoring goals. Good result and pleasing to win before the break. However, September fixtures look challenging, but with a couple of quality signings we may well be in with a shout. Here's hoping!

6

Mick_Mills_Tache added 17:33 - Aug 27 Positives - clean sheet and another good goal for Ward. Negatives - still no goal for our strikers Sounded a scrappy game but a welcome 3 points. We desperately need to sign a 20+ a season striker. It won't come cheap hopefully whatever money comes in from Murphs potential move could well help. I'm not a great lover of MM or his style, however, I'ma try be more positive in regards to the team.

6

Keaneish added 17:44 - Aug 27 Right decision to drop Webster. Not an easy one but certainly the right one. I think he's struggled since he came into the side. Hoping Tommy keeps his place and proves that although better balanced with a right and left footed centre halves, its not essential. Pleased with a win and a clean sheet. Our squad needs some serious strengthening when looking at the bench. Expecting a big, big week in the transfer market now Murph has gone...

6

TheSelkirk added 17:45 - Aug 27 Thought we looked really good first half but it was pretty uninspiring in the second and risked throwing the good work away. Atmosphere was like a morgue today though .....
3

floridaboy added 17:47 - Aug 27 A win is a win especially with some of the other results today. Crazy league for sure so far this season Plus our dear friends up the road lost and apparently were shocking!!
2

gorlestonboy added 17:49 - Aug 27 Really pleased with today's result. Wins breeds confidence and as we have actually won the last 3 games (even though the officials only allowed that to be 5 points), the confidence should be quite high! Shame about Murphy but at 33 it may be a good time to take a good amount for him, I don't think he owes us anything and good luck to him apart from when we play the Toon of course. Hopefully the money gets invested back in for a decent striker. Hmmm....we'll wait and see!

2

Tractorboy1985 added 18:02 - Aug 27 Watching Webster on YouTube for Pompey.. He was a good attacking right back that bombed forward.. Comfortable on the ball.. Still strong in the tackle and good at his defensive duties.. Would like to see him there for a run of games!
3

BrettenhamBlue added 18:04 - Aug 27 Really pleased with today's result. But 2nd half was poor and Preston will feel like they should have got a point. An important 3 points for us.
3

prebsa added 18:05 - Aug 27 Good result today. Still not sure why smith was in for Webster. Nothing against smith but though we had got Webster in so we had a right footed player on that side. Smith/Berra with Webster for me but that's my opinion. But good 3 points and always nice to see Norwich loose too!
2

carsey added 18:05 - Aug 27 Yes 3 points Yes Norwich lost BUT that has to be the dullest game I have seen in a long time and whilst there was some pleasing football it was generally back to hoof and panic. What I really want to know is what has happened to Freddie Sears? He has been ruined by McCarthy playing him wide all this time. When he first arrived defenders were scared of him running at them with the ball. Now he doesn't seem to want to do it. Finally WHY do we insist on sitting back deeper and deeper as the game goes on? Attack and score a second goal that's what we should be doing.

4

BrettenhamBlue added 18:06 - Aug 27 20 comments on a home win. Never seen that before the entire time I have been on this site.
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Surco72 added 18:12 - Aug 27 Good 3 points against a very poor side who will struggle this season , think Bishop should be starting home games ahead of Douglas and Bru . Sears needs a rest or a run up top as looks lost at present and think Pitman will get goals again this year when fully match fit . Looks remarkably like last seasons side though with Ward instead of Fraser pray he doesn't get an injury as there is little else of real quality

4

Daz added 18:15 - Aug 27 A win is a win not much else to say really. On to the next one coyb
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