Keith Andrews’s ninth goal of his loan spell saw the Blues to a ground out 1-0 victory over Derby County at Portman Road. The Irishman netted just after the break of a hard-fought but not always quality game.
Arran Lee-Barrett’s return to goal in place of David Stockdale — who was starting for parent club Fulham in their game at home to Bolton - was the only change to the XI as the Blues took on manager Paul Jewell’s former club. Richard Wright was back on the bench having been out with a pec strain with third-choice Cody Cropper having undergone knee surgery yesterday.
Derby handed youngster Callum Ball his first start of the season with on-loan Town striker Tamás Priskin unavailable under the terms of his loan.
Chances were rare in the opening 10 minutes, a Daryl Murphy cross which went beyond Michael Chopra the only real moment of drama.
Derby struck the first significant shot in anger on 16, Jamie Ward receiving a long diagonal pass on the left and cutting in and hitting a shot which Lee-Barrett push away to his left. Ball fouled Aaron Cresswell as he looked to get on to the loose ball.
Stand-in skipper Keith Andrews forced Rams keeper Frank Fielding into his first save of the afternoon on 20 with a 25-yard strike which the former England U21 keeper pushed away.
However, it was Lee-Barrett who was the busier keeper, pulling off another sharp save on 27 after Craig Bryson had been found in space in the area after a corner. Cresswell got to the loose ball first but the danger wasn’t gone, Ward hitting two subsequent strikes from a narrow angle which Lee-Barrett stopped with his feet. From the resultant corner, Lee Bowyer headed from under the bar.
The Blues were under pressure but on 32 Carlos Edwards brought the ball forward and hit a 30-yard strike which flew just over Fielding’s crossbar.
Martin was thwarted at the last by former Canary Jason Shackell as he prepared to shoot after cutting inside on 35, then Murphy floated in a cross from the left which Gareth Roberts put behind ahead of the Blues winger. Soon after, Andrews almost played in Murphy with a deft first-time lay-off but Fielding was out to claim.
Town had had the better of the latter stages of what had been a largely disappointing and scrappy first half but there was little more in the way of incident before referee David Webb blew his whistle.
Neither side had played particularly well but both had created the odd opportunity and the Blues had to thank keeper Arran Lee-Barrett for still being on terms, the 27-year-old, the third-choice stopper during Stockdale’s time at Portman Road, having made three impressive saves. Overall, it was a game which needed a goal to spark into life.
Within a minute of the restart, the Blues scored that goal. Cresswell floated a cross to the far post and Andrews bundled goalwards with what looked like his shoulder, several Derby defenders clearing but fairly evidently after it had crossed the line.
Play continued but eventually referee Webb went over to his linesman who was being questioned by Chopra. After the Blues striker had been waved away and a brief discussion, the referee pointed to the centre spot, much to Town’s relief. It was Andrews’s ninth goal of his Town loan spell.
Derby reacted well to the goal, having most of the ball for the next few minutes but without testing Lee-Barrett. On 55 James Bailey picked up the game’s first booking for a foul on Martin.
Cresswell sent a cross from deep over Fielding but wide, then at the other end Ward floated in a freekick which Rams skipper Shaun Barker just failed to get a touch to before Lee-Barrett claimed.
Andrews hit over on the hour when he should probably have done better, then Chopra laid the ball off to Martin just outside the area and Fielding did well to save. From the corner, Ibrahima Sonko headed over.
Edwards just failed to find Scotland having brought the ball from deep to the edge of the area before a spell of Derby possession but without anything significant in terms of penalty area action. On 72 Jay Emmanuel-Thomas replaced Chopra.
Collins blocked from Bryson with the midfielder again free and in space inside the area with the Derby continuing to push for an equaliser. John Brayford headed a cross from the left wide on 77, then two minutes later sub Theo Robinson nodded a corner beyond Lee-Barrett’s post.
Martin found Scotland on the right just outside the area in the 81st minute, the Trinidadian’s shot appearing bound for goal until it struck a defender and deflected wide.
Jimmy Bullard replaced Scotland for the final eight minutes and with two of those minutes remaining the substitute almost added to the Blues’ lead with a volley which deflected over when it seemed set to rip the net. Carson replaced the lively and combative Martin as the game moved into five minutes of time added on.
Emmanuel-Thomas dragged a shot wide with the Blues seeing out the closing minutes more comfortably than in recent weeks. As the final whistle drew close, Ward picked up a needless yellow card for a frustrated tackle on Bullard.
Seconds later, Mr Webb put his whistle to his lips to confirm a second Town victory in two games.
After last week’s swashbuckling at Barnsley, it was a much more tame affair with the Blues thankful that keeper Arran Lee-Barrett was in top form in the first half.
After Andrews had netted his goal — which appeared to have been awarded after some initial confusion between the officials — the Blues dug in and ground out the type of victory Paul Jewell has been hoping for in recent weeks, seeing Town into the Christmas period in a surprise run of good form.
Ipswich Town: Lee-Barrett, Edwards, Sonko, Collins, Cresswell, Martin (Carson 90), Andrews, Bowyer, Murphy, Chopra (Emmanuel-Thomas 72), Scotland (Bullard 82). Unused: Wright, Wabara.
Derby County: Fielding, Green, Barker, Shackell, Roberts, Brayford (Tyson 82), Bailey (Robinson 64), Hendrick (B Davies 90), Bryson, Ward, Ball. Unused: Legzdins, O'Brien. Referee: David Webb (Lancashire). Att: 17,256 ( Derby: 579).
Photo: Action Images