Town boss Joe Royle bemoaned a schoolboy defensive error for Stoke's first goal in a game in which he said keeper Kelvin Davis was rarely tested.

Royle said after his side's 2-0 defeat: "Our keeper has had his quietest game of the season. He has hardly had a save to make but has taken the ball out of the net twice.

"We had control of the game and most of the shots, but a schoolboy error has cost us in the first half and it just hasn't been our night."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis was particularly pleased to stop Town scoring: "Ipswich move the ball very well and this was a difficult game. They are the highest scorers in the league and to keep a clean sheet is a terrific achievement.

"Having Gerry Taggart back was a big plus, although it took him time to get going. He played the first 20 minutes like he had tin legs but was excellent after that."

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