Boss Jim Magilton felt his side were a touch nervy but eventually showed enough quality to defeat Southampton 2-0 at Portman Road.

Magilton said: "We were lucky with the first goal and were a little bit nervy, but overall I am delighted with a clean sheet and three points.

"We had to dig in and we did. In the end we showed that little bit more quality which made the difference.

"The first goal was always going to be important and thankfully we got it with a very fortuitous goal from Jon.

"I was shouting at the players because we had worked on freekicks yesterday, yet no one seemed to want to take it. Billy stepped up, so fair play to him. The shot wasn't the best, but we got lucky.

"Gavin Williams is a set-piece specialist. He grabbed the ball and produced a wonderful delivery which was followed by a professional header from Pablo Couñago to make the game safe.

"There were times when we were a little bit low, but the crowd lifted us and the players appreciated it.

"This was a scrappy win but you cannot play flowing football all the time. Quality let us down at times but this is something that can be put right.

"We defended well and were sound, but overall we gave the ball away too many times, as they did as well. It wasn't a fantastic game but, as they say in football, you can win ugly and we'll take that.

"It was important that we showed a reaction to the defeat at Cardiff and it was important that we got the three points and we did that. Now we move on and look to build on that against Barnsley on Saturday."

Former Town boss George Burley was left bemoaning Southampton's injury situation: "We have a long list of injuries, but that's life.

"We are short at the back with three of our centre-halves and two first team full-backs ruled out.

"The first goal was all important and they scored with a deflection. We had chances when we were 1-0 down but didn't take them.

"Pablo Couñago finished us with the second goal and after that it was a long way back.

"We passed the ball well at times without creating too much. We played some decent stuff, but when things are not going well for you, you get punished.

"We have 28 games left and everything to play for. We need our big players back, but in the meantime we must battle on."

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