Town boss Jim Magilton was delighted with his side's display as they defeated Derby County 2-1 at Portman Road. The Blues boss singled Franny Jeffers out for particular praise.
Magilton said: "We started very well, passed the ball well and kept believing after we fell behind. We got our just rewards in the end.
"I don't want the sendings off to detract from our performance. We stuck at it and Francis Jeffers produced a great finish. The introduction of Danny Haynes injected a bit of pace that's proved vital.
"We controlled chunks of the game at Derby earlier in the season and didn't get our reward. This time we did.
"I'm so proud of my players after that performance. We dominated the play and deserved the three points.
"The fans also played their part. It was a terrific atmosphere, one of the best this season and we need that sort of backing to drive us on. The players appreciate that support."
Magilton felt the referee might have got the sendings off wrong: "Referees sometimes don't understand the importance of the occasion.
"Perhaps he'd spoken to them and given yellow cards that would have been enough, but maybe he saw something that I didn't see.
"If we discover that Alex Bruce had been out of order then he will be fined heavily."
Magilton was particularly pleased with striker Franny Jeffers: "He showed Premiership class all the way through and deserved his goal.
"He was dangerous every time he got the ball and must have had five or six shots at goal. I wasn't sure it was going to be his day but he came up with an important goal for us."
Derby boss Billy Davies says his side are still capable of winning promotion despite another setback: "Two individual errors cost us dearly. Two of three clubs can now gain automatic promotion and I am delighted that we are one of those with every possibility of getting over the line.”
Davies said that having reviewed the tape of the red card incident he will consider an appeal against Stephen Bywater's sending off: "After looking at the footage after the game I believe maybe two yellow cards were in order for Bruce and Bywater. The red cards sparked off a frenzy of activity, whereas yellow cards would have diffused the situation.
"I have then been sent to the stands for, I believe, entering the field of play. You see the inconsistency in it all when you see Mr Wenger and Mr Mourinho running 45 yards on to the field of play and nothing happening.
"It is disappointing as it did not merit what actually ended up taking place. We'll have to take a look at the incidents again before deciding what to do next."
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