David McGoldrick’s 55th minute penalty saw Town to a 1-0 home victory over Bolton. The Blues top scorer had been hauled back by Trotters’ keeper Andy Lonergan after he had dropped a high ball.

Stephen Hunt and Frank Nouble came into the Town side for departed loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe and Paul Anderson, who dropped to the bench.

Former Blue Liam Trotter was named on the bench for the visitors having joined them on loan from Millwall yesterday.

McGoldrick threatened for the first time in the fifth minute, shooting over at the far post after Cole Skuse’s cross from the right had been flicked on. Town’s top scorer may feel he ought to have scored.

A minute later, Lukas Jutkiewicz headed Bolton’s first chance wide from Neil Danns’s cross from the right.

The visitors should have gone in front in the 12th minute after Tim Ream crossed from the left and Jutkiewicz’s effort from the edge of the six-yard box was blocked. The loose ball fell to Mark Davies 10 yards out but he completely missed his kick. Once the former Wolves midfielder had regained control, he scraped well wide.

It was a fortunate escape for the Blues, who hadn’t really settled into a reshuffled 4-3-3 system with Hunt joining Jay Tabb and Skuse in the midfield.

On 17, Chambers crossed from the right but Nouble’s looping header failed to test Trotters keeper Lonergan.

Two minutes later, Tabb found Hunt midway inside the Bolton half towards the right, the Irish international cleverly threading in Nouble, whose shot from a tight angle was deflected wide off Matt Mills.

From the resultant corner, the ball was eventually cleared to Aaron Cresswell 30 yards out, the left-back smashing a powerful strike which looked goalbound until Lonergan got his fingertips to it and diverted it over.

On 27 Skuse required lengthy treatment after a clash of heads just outside the Town penalty area. A stretcher was brought on but eventually the midfielder was led off the field and around the perimeter to the tunnel to warm applause. Anthony Wordsworth took over.

Bolton had another good chance to go in front in the 34th minute, skipper Jay Spearing playing a deft pass over the Blues backline and into the path of Danns. The former Colchester man seemed set to score but Town keeper Dean Gerken did well to save his outside-of-the-boot shot down to his left.

The visitors had dominated proceedings since Skuse’s injury and threatened again on 39, Christophe Berra doing well to nod wide ahead of Jutkiewicz.

Three minutes later, the Scotland international was booked for a foul on Darren Pratley after the former Swansea man had got away from him midway inside the Town half. Spearing’s curling freekick flew well wide.

The Trotters continued to have the better of it as the game moved into six minutes of injury time, Jutkiewicz hitting a low shot wide of Gerken’s left post.

Wordsworth scuffed a shot well over after a corner from the left had reached him deep on the right, then at the other end Medo Kamara hit a powerful strike over from the right but the scores remained level at the break.

Town were rather fortunate to still be on terms, the visitors having had the half’s better chances and been in control for the most part, certainly since Skuse’s injury. Davies certainly should have taken his opportunity, while Gerken had to be at his best to save from Danns.

The Blues’ best chances were McGoldrick’s early strike, which he failed to get on top of, and Nouble’s shot which was well blocked.

McCarthy’s men had looked uncomfortable in their 4-3-3 system and had failed to settle after losing Skuse.

Bolton started the second period on the front foot, Gerken saving Alex Baptiste’s strike from the right at his near post.

Hunt won Town a corner in the 49th minute, Wordsworth eventually sending a strike not too far over Lonergan’s bar from 20 yards.

The Blues, with Tabb in the deeper of the three midfield roles, finally started to impose themselves on the game, Nouble and Chambers sending dangerous balls in from the right.

And in the 55th minute Town went in front from the penalty spot. Lonergan failed to hold onto a high ball under pressure from McGoldrick and hauled the Blues back as he looked to get to the loose ball. Referee Charles Breakspear pointed straight to the spot.

McGoldrick, who had had Town’s last two penalties saved, took the kick himself and smashed it down the middle to claim his 15th goal of the season.

The former Forest man, who has declared his international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland, went close again a minute later, hitting a low shot across the face of goal and wide.

The goal had given the Blues a spring in their step, Hunt striking a dipping half-volley which Lonergan claimed on 62, then two minutes later a corner was laid out to Tabb, whose wayward shot was diverted over by Wordsworth.

The former Colchester man flicked a Hunt corner to the far post in the 71st minute, Ream turning the ball behind ahead of Berra. Two minutes later ex-Town man Liam Trotter was warmly applauded by his old fans as he came on to make his debut for his new club.

Frazer Richardson was given his debut in place of the Blues’ earlier sub Wordsworth in the 78th minute, the on-loan Middlesbrough man slotting into the midfield — taking up the deep role previously occupied by Tabb - rather than his more usual right-back role.

Bolton sub Chris Eagles hit a low shot through to Gerken on 83 with the Trotters throwing players forward in numbers as they went looking for an equaliser. The Blues were largely content to sit and catch the visitors on the break.

Berra skipped past a couple of Bolton players, then struck an effort which was blocked in the 85th minute, then three minutes later debutant Richardson shot over.

The Blues continued to look the more threatening side as the game moved into injury time, Hunt’s right-foot effort scuffing wide.

Bolton never looked like getting back on terms during the final minutes and referee Breakspeak’s whistle confirmed Town’s victory.

While the Trotters had been the better side before the break, the Blues were very much on top in the second half and in the end deserved the victory.

Having gone in front via what looked a very definite penalty, Town could have increased their lead with Bolton, who ought to have been in front at half-time, looking very much a struggling side once they were behind. The Blues remain in seventh, four points behind Reading in the final play-off place.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Tabb, Skuse (Wordsworth 32 (Richardson 78), Hunt, Nouble, McGoldrick, Murphy. Subs: Loach, Mings, Anderson, Edwards, Taylor.

Bolton: Lonergan, Baptiste, Knight, Mills, Ream, Spearing (c), Medo (Lee 80), Pratley (Eagles 59), M Davies, Danns (Trotter 73), Jutkiewicz. Subs: Bogdan, White, Vela, Moritz. Referee: Charles Breakspear (Surrey). Att: 15,429 (Bolton: 372).

Photo: Action Images

warktheline added 19:34 - Feb 1 Very sad when people hope their team don't make play -offs or achieve promotion.Promotion would land the club some serious money which in turn would help investment on players.Keep grinding Mick.
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EssexTractor added 19:34 - Feb 1 Conditions today not conducive to attractive free flowing football. Windy and bumpy. Opposition very ordinary. Determination not to lose the imperative as far as MM concerned and considering the players at his disposal fair enough. Team spirit seems high which is good. Hunt a super addition for that purpose. The proper way to hit a penalty today. The correct result. Three points is the maximum available. Target achieved. Yes we all yearn for more flair, more creativity.Maybe one day, just be patient! Interesting feature today, when Cole Skuse was replaced by Anthony Wordsworth , Town then fielded just two right footers, Chambers and MCGoldrick, SEVEN left footers-Cresswell, Berra, Smith, Tabb, Hunt,Murphy, Wordsworth and .....Frank....and still we won! Happy Days...

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blueboy1981 added 19:36 - Feb 1 runaround -..... agree with your comment ref Murphy - he had an excellent game today.
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StowTractorBoy added 19:41 - Feb 1 Probably get a few minus points but to me it was obvious why big Frank played, and that was to unsettle that giant of a man Zat Knight. We already had a very small midfield out there today and Frank gave the team some extra height. Don't get me wrong I know he is nowhere near the answer but he tries hard and has a presence, but he does tend to make poor decisions when in decent positions. Regarding taking Wordsworth off who in my opinion is not match fit, Mick made a great substitution with Richardson who completely snubbed out the threat of Trotter. Trotter had only been on a few minutes and he found space just outside the box. Full marks to MM seeing this and for nulling out this threat. An ugly three points but who cares we won and to me that's all that matters. If we entertain and lose I go home miserable but I am happy tonight.

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HALLSJ added 19:44 - Feb 1 Think we'll miss out but hey what an improvement from the last few years. Mm & Tc have done so well without funds, living in Staffordshire the price of tickets stops me coming. Would love a visit will hopefully come before May
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thebeat added 19:47 - Feb 1 Regarding the Taylor issue i think the main beef people have is that he never gets off the bench yet the most useless player ( yes player not just striker) ive ever seen in a blue shirt in the 28 years ive been going to Portman Road Nouble gets picked regularly ahead of him. I dont care what anybody including Mick says hes never a footballer, totally inept again today. When he has the ball at his feet i swear i can hear the cogs turning in his brain trying to remember how to kick the ball. It wasnt great today at all but the other 9 outfield players have to work harder to compensate for his lack of footballing ability. Nobody can tell me Taylor wouldnt be a better option. I dont agree Taylor doesnt work hard, he was very mobile against QPR and worked back when needed. I dont think its a personal thing otherwise he'd leave him totally out of the squad wouldnt he? I just think Mick and Terry want to justify the gamble they took on Nouble but he hasnt improved at all since he arrived. Apart from that im happy we took the points today and on we go to Barnsley but we need to up it as that was a real grind today.

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JWM added 19:56 - Feb 1 Please give it a rest Blueboy as your constant anti Mick ramblings are getting well beyond tedious! We won the game we sit in 7th and have collected 7 points out of 9 this week. I think that's a pretty good week but then again I live on planet earth!
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KiwiTractor added 20:00 - Feb 1 Performance aside, a great 3 points and very happy with a return of 7 points from the last 3 games. Have said many a time I want to see Taylor play more, although his price tag still astounds me! Agree with Keaneish, think he could really test defences in the final 20 mins - if not longer. Good to see Wordy did okay in his 40-odd mins on the field. Hopefully the tonsillitis is behind him and he can push on and be a valuable member of the squad.

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Cloddyseedbed added 20:02 - Feb 1 thebeat, I agree on your thoughts about Nouble. It's hard enough to finish a game with 10 men but when Nouble is in the side we start with 10 men. I also agree with the posts that say so far what has Taylor achieved since he has been at the club. I could list all the bad press reports, but I won't. I just don't think he's Mick's type!
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KiwiTractor added 20:03 - Feb 1 Oh, and great to see a clean sheet too
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Jimmy86 added 20:06 - Feb 1 Stowtractor I understand your point about nouble adding height and presence, but there's 1 small problem. At 6 ft 3 he cant win a header to save his life. His biggest asset to his game is chasing down the opposition a very poor man's shefki kuqi, without the goals. He really doesn't offer much to the team. Yes he runs around a lot, bit like hyam too. We need a bit more though in my opinion and taylor, who doesnt get a sniff does offer something to the team

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tractorboyz82 added 20:06 - Feb 1 Great win today I'd take playing poor and winning every week.we def needs two or three loans to give us more options with regards Taylor you only need to look at jet not a McCarthy type player so shown the door and Taylor will be as well in the summer think mick hinted at a player moaning about being dropped and his attitude was wrong an said he should look the way tabb reacted and is now playing more games I think that was aimed at Taylor.

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blueboy1981 added 20:14 - Feb 1 JWM - EASY - Don't read my posts. End of. It's called being truthful and factual - if you can't accept that - that's your problem.
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Pip50 added 20:28 - Feb 1 Blueboy keep them coming truth often hurts. I don't have a problem with MM other than his dire tactics and team selection. He is only here for a season or two doesn't have a long term view clearly in the building of the squad. Yes he has had no finance other than I suspect handsome personal benefits why is he bothered what we look like in 2345 seasons. You can't keep dealing up this dross, we may be flirting with the top 6 but anyone with a football brain knows what's coming. I've watched Ipswich for 40 years and this has got to be consistently perhaps not in results the worst football served up. Please show us some building progression and above all hope that we will get better. I fear not under MM.

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froudy added 20:31 - Feb 1 EssexTractor...are you sure Nouble is left footed? Difficult to tell really. If anything, he has two left feet!
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runningout added 20:34 - Feb 1 Lets pack our end at Barnsley next Saturday ...........
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EssexTractor added 20:51 - Feb 1 Froudy. my insinuation was "FootLESS Frank"!!
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NoelTheDub added 20:52 - Feb 1 To all the blueys on here im MM biggest critic but I dont think we can attack teams like leicester wigan reading or bolton for that matter.We know MM plan and in all fairness it works my problem is if we go 1 0 down he will throw taylor or anderson on with 10 min to go.Clearly Hunt is Micks jack in the box and a player nobody wants to face Nouble is an awkward lump like murf and eddie is doing the buisness its a good mixture but at times against lower teams we can be more positive.Credit were credit is due MM well done again.

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alfromcol added 20:57 - Feb 1 Obviously some sort of issue with Taylor otherwise he would be on the pitch. As for Nouble, I am not won over as yet, but MM did say after the game that he played him because of the height of the Bolton team and he needed someone who could disrupt them. accepted that he didn't do this in the 1st half but when switch to the center in the 2nd half he was very effective. He has a lot to learn, but he is still young and he has 2 good mentors in MM and TC. Great 3 points today, forget about the performance. Unfortunately we see too many top games on TV and expect the same when we turn up at Portman Road. Players regularly featuring on Sky (or BT) are the top of their profession, those who play in the Championship are not!! Lets enjoy being in 7th place with 2 winnable games coming up.

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runningout added 21:04 - Feb 1 a lot of players in the Championship would thrive in the league above...
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bennyitfc added 21:32 - Feb 1 I would just like to see Taylor in the role that Tunners started to play towards the end of his loan spell. From the brief spells I have seen of him, Taylor can pick a pass as well as Wordsworth/Skuse, and has that added dimension of being able to run at the defence, which in the Championship makes defenders panic.
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JWM added 21:33 - Feb 1 factual and truthful according to Blueboy <laughsoutloud>
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DerryfromBury added 21:42 - Feb 1 Not very pretty, but nevertheless we'll take the 3 points. Apart from the points, there were some other positives to take from the game; Tab played the best I've seen him play this season, since he's had a contract, Wordsworth made the most of another opportunity/lifeline thrown him from MM and appears to have taken on board some of the criticism that was rightly levelled at him after his previous appearance. shame about the injury to Cole Skuse, from what I hear its not to serious and shouldn't keep him out for to long. The "new boy" Frazer Richardson looks a good signing. Now, Frank Nouble, like so many others are saying this evening, what does MM and TC see in him, the only thing I can think of he must do magical things in training and they have convinced themselves he'll do the same on Saturday afternoon!! Anyway, 7 from a possible 9 points in the last 8 days, if we keep this up who knows... COYB.

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CornardBlue added 22:22 - Feb 1 Pip50 where were you watching your football when Keane and Jewell where Ipswich managers and we were getting stuffed 6-0 nearly every week and those clowns were given millions to spend on players. MM has been able to bring in for nothing far better players than those other two spent millions on because he is respected in the game and players want to play for him. He has got his style of playing the game, it got Ireland to the quarter finals of the World cup so he can't be that bad a manager. I for one am glad he is our Manager because the we were in free fall before he came, you say you have been following Ipswich for 40 years well I been going far longer than that and can remember fans chanting Bobby Robson out in his first season because results and performances were so bad and we all know what he achieved. Also it took Sir Alf 3 seasons to build our first great team. All I would say to you is be careful what you wish for. I would settle for the progress he has made in the 14 months he has been in charge of our great club.

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warktheline added 22:48 - Feb 1 CornardBlue, agree with you 100%.Sadly many fans have very short memories. Without MM we would now be playing Div 1 football. Guess 7th is not good enough for some.
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