Town got back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Wolves. Like most sides these days Wolves came to defend in numbers and try and sneak the draw. A James Scowcroft goal ten minutes into the second half prevented this and gave the crowd at least some entertainment unlike other recent visitors, most notably Tranmere.
The Blues lined up as Sunday with the exception of John McGreal playing in Manu Thetis's stead. Wayne Brown retained his place with Mark Venus not even amongst the substitutes.
The game was much as most are at Portman Road these days, loads of possession for Town whilst the opposition defended deep and encouraged us to break them down. Clear-cut chances were rare in the early stages but Jim Magilton went close with a shot from the edge of the area.
Town's best first half chance fell to Matt Holland who headed a John McGreal cross onto the bar.
Meanwhile at the other end Adi Akinbiyi was putting himself about, but seemed to have a problem with offside. Three times in a minute he was caught with Tony Mowbray's arm prominently raised each time.
Wolves went closest in what may have become an extremely controversial incident. A long ball from Sedgley saw Wayne Brown and Akinbiyi vying for the ball with the latter clearly pulling Brown all over the place. The former Gillingham, Norwich and Bristol City man got a shot in which Richard Wright saved only for Neil Emblem to get a free go on goal. Luckily for Town he put the ball wide. It was a lucky escape for Town, although it would have been a travesty had he have scored as there was clearly a foul on Brown.
The first half dragged to an end with an entertainment value hardly out of the Tranmere bracket.
Town started the second half brightly and Scowcroft headed just wide from a McGreal cross and it was this combination which saw Town take the lead. Scowcroft sent a looping header over Stowell in the Wolves goal before celebrating in front of the North Stand.
Wolves now had to make some effort at attacking, but were short on ideas and were meeting the Town defence in a particularly stubborn mood. On at least three occasions Akinbiyi was set free running behind the defence only for the excellent John McGreal to put in storming tackles.
Town continued to have the best of the chances with Johnson blazing well over the bar with a volley and coming close to nudging the ball over Stowell as he and the 'keeper raced to meet a lofted ball into the box.
However, it was Town sub and former Wolves man Jermaine Wright who had perhaps the best chance. Stowell misjudged a ball down the right channel and was beaten to it and the ball was laid back to Wright. With the goal gaping the lacking in confidence midfielder chose to pass the ball into the closer Scowcroft rather than having a go himself. Perhaps he had little of the target to aim at what with the Wolves defenders surrounding the goal, but it was a good chance for him to open his Town account.
Wolves sent on Andy Sinton for the last few minutes and he gave the defence on or two problems as well as fooling the referee with an extremely obvious dive just outside our area.
Town played their usual possession game with Johnson having has best game for a while. He is by no means at his best but the effort was clearly being put in, something appreciated by the crowd who chorused his name on several occasions.
Crewe Saturday and three more vital points to play for.
R Wright 8 No real saves, but caught all crosses
Wilnis 6 Crossing still weak
McGreal 8 Very strong tackles against Akinbiyi
Mowbray 8 Organised well
Brown 7 Unspectacular but effective
Clapham 7 Could have got forward more
Stockwell 8 Some excellent through balls and as ever good running (J Wright 76)
Holland 7 Unlucky with header
Magilton 7 Passing still not up to last season
Johnson 7 Put in the effort, goal must come (Naylor 84)
Scowcroft 8 Excellent winner