Town continued their fine start to the season with a hard fought win at home to Bolton Wanderers. An excellent David Johnson goal in the 69th minute was the difference between the two sides.
Town lined up as they had in the Forest and Brentford games with James Scowcroft coming into the midfield and Fabian Wilnis dropping to the bench. Early on it was Town making most of the running with a Richard Naylor effort going just wide in the first minute and with another chance a few minutes later.
However, as the half wore on Bolton were getting more an more into the game, without ever really creating anything. At half-time it looked like Portman Road would see its first draw since August 15th last year.
The second half saw Town more in control and on the hour Jermaine Wright was unlucky to break his Town duck. He collected a ball from Johnson and fired a shot from 20 yards which Keith Branagan in the Bolton goal could only handle onto the post. Naylor rushed in for the rebound, but only succeeded in giving the 'keeper a kick as he had already gathered the ball.
Johnson's goal came nine minutes later when Jamie Clapham cleared a corner up the pitch. Johnson nodded the ball over a Bolton defender and headed for goal, rounding Per Fransen before cooly slipping the ball past Branagan. An excellent goal from the on fire striker, probably his best goal for Town.
Town looked likely to add a second whilst Bolton were still in the game, however things got nervy for Town fans when Manu Thetis was sent off with eight minutes left. The already booked centre-half pulled back Gudjohnsen just outside the area and the referee had no alternative but to show the Frenchman his second English red card.
Town immediately removed Johnson and brought on Magilton with captain Matt Holland moving to centre half.
Not the dominating display of Town's previous two League games, but a battling performance which deserved a win.
R Wright 8 Solid display
Stockwell 6 Found Riccardo Gardner difficult (Wilnis 61)
Thetis 6 Dodgy on ground and careless fouls
McGreal 8 Some excellent and vital challenges
Venus 7 Some good runs forward
Clapham 7 Nice tricks as ever
J Wright 8 Best Town performance so far
Holland 7 Usual self
Scowcroft 7 Some neat footwork and good in the air
Johnson 8 Excellent goal and some good work (Magilton 82)
Naylor 7 Created some good opportunities