On-loan defender Dan Harding has dedicated his winning goal for Southend against Leeds last night to his mother, who died from cancer earlier in the month. Harding missed part of pre-season training with Town to spend time with her as she fought the disease.

Harding said: "My mum passed away at the start of the month and that was for her.

"The gaffer, all the players and the backroom staff at Southend have been fantastic in supporting me.

"I want to thank them for that as they have helped me get through a difficult period."

The left-back, who is with the Shrimpers until January, says the 18th minute freekick winner against his old club was the product of work on the training ground: "Simon Francis and I practice our freekicks every day after training and we were having a bit of an argument about who should take it.

"In the end I said I fancied myself to score and it went right in the top corner."

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls