A dramatic Christophe Berra goal in injury time saw the Blues come from behind to beat Derby and move to within two points of the play-off zone. The Rams went ahead through Patrick Bamford in the opening minute, Jonny Williams equalised with a brilliant second half strike before Berra’s last-gasp winner.

Town boss Mick McCarthy named the expected unchanged side with Anthony Wordsworth again replacing the injured Cole Skuse in the centre of midfield.

Derby made one change from the side which started the 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest at the weekend with Johnny Russell replacing the injured Jamie Ward.

The Rams went ahead with their first chance of the evening with the game only 33 seconds old. After breaking following a Town attack, Craig Forsyth cut the ball back from the left and Bamford swept home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Having gone behind so early the Blues put on a brief spell of pressure but were unable to create an opportunity. On 12 Jeff Hendrick’s through ball almost played Craig Bryson in on goal but Town keeper Dean Gerken was off his line quickly to claim.

Former Norwich man Chris Martin was booked in the 15th minute for shoving over Berra after the Scottish international had remonstrated with the Derby striker for going to ground very easily on the edge of the box.

Wordsworth saw a shot blocked in the 20th minute but the Blues — with Stephen Hunt now on the right and Paul Anderson on the left - were still to create a serious chance, while the Rams were continuing to look dangerous on the break, goalscorer Bamford cutting in and hitting a low 26th minute shot to Gerken.

On 28 Martin was very fortunate not to receive a second yellow card for a late challenge on Berra, referee Fred Graham waving away the Town protests much to the annoyance of the home support.

Moments later, Russell sent a low ball across the Blues’ six-yard box but with none of his team-mates far enough forward to take advantage.

Derby keeper Lee Grant was having a quiet evening with claiming a Williams cross his biggest test during the first half.

In injury time the Rams were again very lucky not to see their number reduced when Bryson caught Williams with a very high challenge midway inside the Blues half, the on-loan Crystal Palace man requiring lengthy treatment, not for the first time during the first period. Referee Graham showed only a yellow card.

The Wales international appeared to have been targeted by the Rams and soon after the game restarted was fouled again, albeit less severely, this time by Hendrick, who escaped a card.

Referee Graham blew his whistle moments later and was booed off the field by an increasingly incensed home crowd, while Mick McCarthy made his feelings known to the official as he made his way towards the tunnel.

After conceding so early, the Blues had had a fair amount of possession but without creating any significant chances with Derby closing them down quickly.

The Rams, who could count themselves very fortunate to end the half with 11 men, attacked slickly and with pace when they had the ball.

The second half began in the same feisty manner in which the first ended, Aaron Cresswell making a very firm but fair challenge on George Thorne, which left the on-loan West Brom man requiring treatment. On 51 Thorne got himself into referee Graham’s book for preventing Williams from taking a quick freekick.

The Rams weren’t far away from increasing their lead in the 53rd minute when Bamford was sent through on goal inside the area. Fortunately for the Blues Gerken reacted quickly to block superbly, the loose ball eventually falling to the Town keeper.

A minute later, the Blues created an opening, Williams crossing deep from the left to Chambers, who headed down into the six-yard area but with none of his team-mates there to add the final touch Andre Wisdom cleared.

As the game moved towards the hour mark Rams’ keeper Grant was forced into his first save. Anderson found Murphy and the striker took the ball to the right of the area before hitting a shot which Grant tipped wide.

Before the corner Town switched widemen Anderson and Hunt for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Frank Nouble as they moved to 4-3-3. On 67 Williams was booked for tripping Thorne.

Two minutes later, the on-loan Palace man got the Blues back on terms. Cresswell played a freekick on the left short to him and he brought the ball in and smashed a superb strike to Grant’s left and into the net from almost 30 yards giving the keeper no chance.

Town had deserved to get back on terms for their endeavour, particularly since the break and Williams especially so given some of the treatment meted out to him by the visitors in the first half.

The game had developed into an open end to end affair and on 72 Derby were close to going back in front when Martin cut the ball back from the left to Bamford, who shot just wide.

They came even nearer three minutes later when they broke after the Blues surrendered possession on midway and Forsyth brought the ball forward before hitting a powerful shot which struck the outside of Gerken’s right post. Soon after, Nouble picked up a yellow card for a foul.

As the match moved towards its final 10 minutes Frazer Richardson replaced Chambers, who had suffered a knock, then Town went close to going in front. Nouble crossed from the right and Ebanks-Blake headed downwards from six yards but onto the outside of Grant’s right post and wide.

On 84 Forsyth was booked for a dive just outside the Town box with the game still very open and with both teams going for the three points.

In the final minute Berra made a superb challenge on Martin on the edge of the Town box then Nouble broke down the left to win a corner, just as the fourth official held up his board to announce five additional minutes.

And from the flagkick, Town went in front. Cresswell whipped the ball across and Berra nodded home his fifth goal of the season from the edge of the six-yard box before being mobbed by his team-mates in front of the Co-op Stand.

Derby went looking for an equaliser in the remaining minutes of injury time but rarely seriously threatened to get back on terms before referee Graham blew his whistle, this time to huge cheers from the home support

It was a pulsating finish to what had been an end to end second half from which either side could have grabbed the victory. Williams’s goal was as good as any scored at Portman Road this season, while Berra again showed his abilities at both ends of the field as Town claimed the late winner.

The back to back victories over Brighton and now Derby, coupled with results going the Blues’ way elsewhere, mean that with eight games remaining they are firmly in the play-off fight in eighth place just two points from the top six with plummeting Nottingham Forest at Portman Road on Saturday.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (Richardson 79), Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Anderson (Nouble 61), Hyam, Wordsworth, Hunt (Ebanks-Blake 61), Williams, Murphy. Subs: Loach, Mings, Richardson, Tabb, Green.

Derby: Grant, Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Thorne (Naylor 90), Bryson, Hendrick, Russell, Bamford (Sammon, 75), Martin. Subs: Legzdins, O'Brien, Whitbread, Bailey, Naylor, Thomas. Referee: Fred Graham (Essex). Att: 17,399 (Derby: 611).

Photo: Action Images

blueboy1981 added 23:34 - Mar 25 Gcon - ...... the only bit of negativity on here tonight - and you just had to didn't you, with the second half of your post. 'Bah Humbug' to you for that. Enjoy the moment man.
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smithy91 added 00:21 - Mar 26 Best feeling of being a town fan in a long time! Mccarthy ive doubted your subs at times but the last two games they have been spot on. Also Nouble seemed very fired up tonight, ive never rated him particularly highly but if MM and TC can get that out of him more often the doubters will soon be on side! Starting to believe now, COYB
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stevelincsexile added 06:24 - Mar 26 Home at 2am can't sleep have to get up still buzzing. Williams you beauty, Berra you beauty. Problem now is can I get my darling wife to ok me for another drive south on Saturday HM. COYB
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buddsterblue added 06:37 - Mar 26 His name is johnnyesta and he wears the famous blue I just carnt get enough I just carnt get enough When he twists and turns they don't know what to do I just carnt get enough I just carnt get enough Oh when he shoots and he scores a goal Oh johnnyesta I just carnt get enough of you!! Der der der der der, der der der der der der, Get the f""k in there!
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blueherts added 07:21 - Mar 26 Huge plus for MM for getting Jonny Wonder Boy Williams !! My Palace mate is sick - How they would love him back down there !! And a word for Wordy - lost and I had not seen anything from him until Saturday - so this is the feeling us 'oldies' remember from the days gone by !!! wow it has been a long time Forest are in disarray but we gotta beware - But we are full of confidence Finally nice one Frankie - Not always seen it in you but showed what a good impact player he is Happy Blue Days!!

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runaround added 07:31 - Mar 26 A massive result with our rivals all losing. The match had everything, drama, incident, controversy, atmosphere, a sense of injustice & 2 teams both trying their hardest to win. The ref was at best inconsistent at worst downright awful. Martin should have been sent off whilst Derby's attempts to kick Williams off the park largely went unpunished but then second half we got decisions our way but he was still awful. For 15-20 minutes Derby looked very good but we battled our way back & in the end were deserving of victory. Williams was majestic, Murphy as always did well whilst SEB & Big Frank made a real difference when they came on. If we can turn these 2 top results into a run just at the right time, the play offs are very achievable. It's just got interesting!!

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Tom18 added 07:55 - Mar 26 Good entertaining game, really exciting and I really enjoyed watching the football that we played keep it up Ipswich coyb
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Tom18 added 07:56 - Mar 26 Buy Williams he is exactly the type of player that we need
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GeoffSentence added 08:09 - Mar 26 Should we sneak into the play-offs and get Derby in the semis, I hope we can drag Barry Knights out of retirement to ref it.
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Cloddyseedbed added 08:55 - Mar 26 At last team of 2013/14 that is the commitment and performance we have been craving for all season and a lot of us just didn't think you could do it. This game reminded me of the good times when although we went behind sometimes you just knew you would't loose and quite possibly you could go on to win. The team was ooosing confidence and commitment and with the inclusion of Williams and Wordsworth a missing quality has been addressed. Williams was unplayable against and you always thought something special was going to happen through him. Their 1st goal was a poor response from our right midfield and fullback area, we just turned off. After this we showed character, determination and for once skill and guile and always were looking to go on and win the game. For me Hunt can not play right attacking midfield and Anderson can not play left attacking midfield. Both players tried hard but these area's certainly need addressing in the summer months. The double substitution was what changed the game with the lively SEB and the " new " player called Nouble who looked like the player we would have all liked to start the season. I for one never thought he had it in him but I must say I apologise on that showing and McCarthy certainly knew best. Thats just hope Nouble and the rest of the team can keep performing to this standard for the rest of the season and doubters like me could be made to change our minds. Well done everybody at Portman Road. As a family we didn't want to leave the ground last night and can't wait till the next game against Forest. That feeling has been missing for soooo long!

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Keaneish added 08:55 - Mar 26 What do we reckon? 4 more wins to make the play offs?
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hossblue added 09:19 - Mar 26 We have to keep Johnny Williams for the rest of the season to win the ultimate prize the type of player we have needed all season.Big Frank was great like having a new signing he was awesome.
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KiwiTractor added 09:25 - Mar 26 Awesome result lads, well done. Would love to put one over Forest at the weekend.
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BillBlue added 09:42 - Mar 26 I went to bed last night (a happy man) while this was on Page 1. This morning I have been reading the comments of the people who were lucky enough to be there and they have set me on fire. I am really excited! I know many of you disagree with what I and others have been calling for but this is it! I see somebody said "Portman Road was rocking tonight" and oh how that took me back, a team of great skill who you knew would give you their last breath of air to win. Cloddyseedbed said "This game reminded me of the good times when although we went behind sometimes you just knew you would't loose" and oh how true that was and the excitement, Wow! Thinking about this it has stemmed from several things, an enforced change in the midfield Woody for Scuse, the advent of Williams and playing wingers and correct substitutions. My congratulations to MickM for seeing the light and having the courage to make the unenforced changes, I wonder if he has been reading what we have jointly been saying! Who cares, at long, long, last it sounds as though Town are doing what we have been screaming for. A very big thank you to all of my fellow posters for making my day!

7

Keaneish added 11:14 - Mar 26 It certainly was BillBlue thanks largely in part tp the boys in the corner of section 6. Good work lads! Top night. Have to take that into Forest on Saturday. 4-3-3 to start on Saturday with Williams playing in front of Skuse and Hyam? Lets hope so.
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callmeted added 11:35 - Mar 26 going to go along with keanish on this one - 'Unsung heroes' (no pun intended) of the season has to go to section 6 - From an old timer who has done his time in the North Stand and beyond its great to hear them ALWAYS behind the Town. Hope the rest of the North Stand can get into line with them for Saturday and get the place rocking !!
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jas0999 added 12:39 - Mar 26 Excellent result. First half performance not great, nor aided by a weak official who allowed derby to basically beat Williams up at will. Second half much better and far more aggressive. Williams goal was stunning and we'll deserved, whilst kick much take credit for a very attacking double substitution which changed the game. Nouble remarkably made a big difference. Overall, thought we deserved the win. Great excitement at the end. Credit to all.

3

jas0999 added 12:43 - Mar 26 ** should read Mick not kick ** !!
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MathieandMarshall added 12:54 - Mar 26 Have to admit, I wrote off our play off chances a few weeks ago and said I was happy with a top 10 finish this season as slow and steady progress. After last night though I am jumping back onto the play off band wagon! - what a difference! I am 31 years old but (and I am not ashamed to admit it) I was too excited to sleep last night! We really need to fill Portman Road now for the remaining home games. I appeal to all of you reading this who haven't made the trip lately for what ever reason.. buy a ticket and come and make as much noise as you can! I'd be happy (as a season ticket holder) for the club to sell tickets at a tenner each if it fills the stadium and gives the players the lift they need to keep picking up the points. COYB!

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WaffleMan added 13:56 - Mar 26 We need at least over 20,000 there v forest to get the atmosphere to make our players really wanna do it so everyone come along to Portman road and make some noise for the tractor boys!
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Langdon_Blue added 15:34 - Mar 26 Keanish - wasn't you calling for Marriott and the other youngsters to be recalled from their loans and given experience as 'this season is now over', last month? Good to see you getting excited about this season again though mate. Four wins could well see us in the play offs, maybe less if others around us carry on losing like last night.
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alfromcol added 15:51 - Mar 26 Great night at PR, best performance for many a year. The only downside was the relatively small increase in the size of the crowd. At £10 a ticket, I would have expected a much bigger increase. Just goes to show it is not all about the cost of the ticket. We also need performances like last night to get people back through the turnstiles. Hoping for 20000 plus for Saturday, but I am not holding my breath.

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bring_back_Wickham added 16:12 - Mar 26 Nooooooooooooooouble!
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Cloddyseedbed added 16:32 - Mar 26 Exactly what I said a while ago alfromcol getting people into Portman Road is not just about the money. It's about entertainment. I had spare tickets last night but still couldn't persuade anyone to have them. If we play like that every game word would soon spread, but we need to be consistent.
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Ipswichbusiness added 16:46 - Mar 26 When we signed Williams I was disappointed as we were bringing on a Palace youngster rather than our own. After the 'Boro match I commented that anyone still thinking about relegation could forget it. Looks like I was wrong on both counts. (I hope that in posting that I haven't set us up to lose against Forest!)
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