Town boss Joe Royle said the switch to three attackers in the second half was instrumental in his side beating Leeds 1-0 at Portman Road. Darren Bent netted the winning goal in the 51st minute after front man Dean Bowditch had come on to replace midfielder Tommy Miller.

Royle said: "With Tommy Miller's injury I had already made up my mind we were going to go with three up front and we passed the ball better."

Miller has torn a ligament in his elbow and will have x-rays to see if he has also cracked a bone.

The Town manager felt his side was particularly good at the back, praising both keeper Kelvin Davis and Richard Naylor: "We defended well, and we have just had our third clean sheet in four games.

"We have said if we do keep clean sheets then we will have a great chance because we usually score.

"The first goal here is now becoming so important. We saw that with Burnley when we spent 70 minutes trying to get back, and also when we went behind against Plymouth."

Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell says his side deserved a point from the game: "Ipswich were hanging on at the end. With everything that is going on at the club it is a tribute to the players.

"I felt my players played well and we pushed one of the top sides all the way. There are plenty of sides that will come here and go away with nothing."

Blackwell picked one of his youngsters as their man of the match: "Simon Walton has just turned 17 and turned in a good performance, which is why Premier League clubs are looking at him."

The Leeds boss felt that the ongoing ownership uncertainties at Elland Road were affecting his squad: "I defy anyone to walk into work and not know what is going to happen and say it doesn't affect you."

Conversely, Town manager Royle felt it was unlikely to have an effect: "I don't think players worry about what is going on in the boardroom - 10 out of 11 players could not name a director!"

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