Goals from Luke Hyam and Conor Sammon saw the Blues to a 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic, their first ever win at the DW Stadium. Hyam turned home the opener on 20 and Sammon netted against his old club in the 63rd minute, before Martyn Waghorn set up a nervy finish for Blues supporters when he pulled one back with eight minutes remaining.

On-loan striker Sammon was handed his second Town start with Hyam also returning to the side having missed the last two games.

Jay Tabb was missing through illness and Paul Anderson dropped to the bench, while recent re-signing Darren Ambrose was on the bench for the first time since signing a short-term deal. Town lined-up 4-3-3 with David McGoldrick behind Sammon and Daryl Murphy.

The Latics dominated the early stages and went close in the third minute when Andy Delort headed into the ground and over from Shaun Maloney’s cross following a freekick, Murphy having tripped Callum McManaman on the right.

Town gradually began to get a foothold in the game and on 14 McGoldrick found Mings on the left with a looping ball, the full-back bringing the ball all the way across the area to the right wing without being able to find a gap for a shot.

Murphy struck the Blues’ first effort on goal in the 18th minute, Latics keeper Scott Carson getting down to his right to push away the Irishman’s 25-yard effort. A minute later, Mings crossed from the left and Sammon stooped to nod wide at the far post.

Town were starting to get on top and in the 20th minute they went in front. Murphy used his strength on the right to hold off a defender before playing a ball in to Hyam on the edge of the area.

The midfielder moved it on to McGoldrick, who fed Mings on the left, who in turn crossed low into the box back to Hyam, who turned the ball home for his - and the Town midfield’s - first goal of the season, only the third of his senior career and the Blues’ first at the DW Stadium in their fourth game at Wigan’s current home.

Town went close to adding a second within a minute when McGoldrick got into a good position on the right inside the area and cut the ball across towards Sammon, but hit the ex-Latic on the backside and the danger was cleared.

Christophe Berra picked up the game’s first yellow card in the 22nd minute for a late challenge on McManaman as he broke on the right. From Adam Forshaw’s freekick, Emmerson Boyce headed well over.

The Blues, who were by now well on top, went close again three minutes later when Cole Skuse threaded a ball through to Murphy just to the right, midway inside the Wigan half. The Blues’ number nine cut a low ball towards McGoldrick with the advancing Carson looking beaten, but Ivan Ramis got in ahead of him to slide the ball behind.

Wigan started to come back into it again and on 32 Boyce saw a shot from inside the area deflect wide off Berra. Four minutes later, the Latics were forced into a substitution, the injured McManaman making way for James McClean.

Mings had his name added to referee Andy Woolmer’s book in the 39th minute for a trip as Maloney broke through the centre midway inside the Town half. Skipper Luke Chambers was had got back as cover and the yellow card was the right decision.

The freekick deflected wide off the wall and from the resultant corner on the right Delort headed well beyond the far post.

Neither side threatened again before the referee brought the half to a close with the Blues deserving their lead.

After the home side had dominated the first 10 minutes, the Blues got on top and created two very decent chances in addition to Hyam’s well-worked goal.

The Latics came more into the game again towards the break but without creating a significant chance, while Town continued to look a threat.

There was a scare for Wigan five minutes after the break when keeper Carson was forced to rush off his line to clear James Perch’s backpass as McGoldrick chased it down. Moments later at the other end, Forshaw saw a strike deflect over.

Skuse made way for Kevin Bru on the hour mark, the Mauritius international hitting an early effort over the bar after Bishop had nodded a Mings cross back into the area following a corner.

And on 63 the Blues increased their lead with former Latic Sammon netting his first goal since his loan move from Derby.

McGoldrick picked up a loose ball midway inside the Wigan half and brought it forward before playing it into the path of Sammon. The Dubliner took it in on goal and got the luck of the bounce as he took it past - or rather through - Carson before tapping home from a couple of feet and celebrating in front of the small band of Town supporters behind the goal.

It might have been 3-0 on 66 when Murphy was found in space on the left but the striker’s touch let him down and the ball bounced to Carson. Two minutes later, McGoldrick found himself space on the right of the area but shot wide.

Ambrose came on for his third debut for the Blues in the 71st minute with Bishop, who had been suffering with cramp, making way.

Wigan began to put the Blues under a bit of pressure, winning a number of corners as the game moved into its final 15 minutes. Following one flagkick on the right, McClean returned to the far post and Gerken did well to block from Ramis.

McGoldrick forced Carson to save down to his right with a 25-yard strike, then with eight minutes to go the home side pulled a goal back.

McClean, who scored twice against the Blues at Portman Road last season, was found in space by a deep corner from the right and the Irishman smashed a shot which Waghorn diverted into the net from close range.

Forshaw nodded into Gerken’s arms as the home side went looking for an equaliser with the Blues defending increasingly desperately.

On 88 Wigan came within a whisker of getting back on terms when sub Oriol Riera hit the post after latching on to a half-cleared cross from the right. Soon after, Tommy Smith replaced McGoldrick as the Blues looked to shore things up at the back.

As the match moved into four minutes of additional time Town were still very much under the cosh, Boyce volleying wide from one of several corners.

But they held on to claim a deserved first win at the DW Stadium to make it nine points out of nine in the last 10 days.

There were some nervy moments in the closing stages with Town sitting very deep, but they had been worth their two-goal lead and might have been even further ahead had they taken their other first-half opportunities.

The win takes the Blues up to seventh in the table with Rotherham visiting Portman Road on Saturday.

Wigan: Carson, Ramis, Maloney (Riera 64), McManaman (McClean 36), Boyce (c), Cowie, Perch, Forshaw, Kiernan, Kvist, Delort (Waghorn 72). Unused: Al Habsi, Barnett, Taylor, Tavernier.

Town: Gerken, Parr, Chambers (c), Berra, Mings, Skuse (Bru 60), Hyam, Bishop (Ambrose 71), McGoldrick (Smith 90), Sammon, Murphy. Unused: Bialkowski, Henshall, Anderson, Bajner. Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).

Photo: Action Images

dangerous30 added 22:02 - Sep 22 Very good win well done town 😊
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tractorboy12341234 added 22:02 - Sep 22 Fantastic Win Hyam was brilliant!!!!
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TractorCam added 22:04 - Sep 22 Another great performance by the team and first away win of the season! Was a nervy end as it always will be with Ipswich but we held on and got a terrific 3 points at a tough place to go. 4-3-3 looks like a formation we could pull off more often, i thought McGoldrick was the worst player out their for us today, that's how far we've come. Bring on Rotherham!
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JackGITFC17 added 22:04 - Sep 22 Great performance all round against a difficult opponent who weren't at their best, thought Hyam was superb.I still don't think McGoldrick is fit though, maybe give him the next game off??? 3 games, 9 points, 7th in the League, HAPPY DAYS
8

tractorboykent added 22:04 - Sep 22 Excellent performance. Let's hope that everyone gives MM credit for a v positive approach and the players for giving everything. Hyam, Murphy and Mings stood out for me but every single player did the business.
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Michael11 added 22:04 - Sep 22 We never do things the easy way do we?! Didn't think my heart was going to last that final 5 minutes. Excellent win but should've had them out of sight before then. Great performance by Hyam who was man of the match by a mile tonight. Arguably his best performance in a Town shirt. I'd love to see Hyam and Bishop's partnership blossom throughout this season as they seem to work very well together. Mings also brilliant I thought. I liked the formation as I don't think we have good enough wingers to play 4-4-2. If we get the win on Saturday against Rotherham then that table's going to look incredible. Long may it last! COYB!!

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TractorBoy666 added 22:05 - Sep 22 A very good away performance tonight, more than matched Wigan all over the place. Hyam and Berra my man of the matches, also Deano with a very good save when he was brought into action. Always have to things nervy towards the end of games! Also well played Skuse, I did think he played well tonight and that was a much needed performance from him. The league looks very nice, keep it up lads. Well done McCarthy for a even more positive approach too! COYB

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Michael11 added 22:05 - Sep 22 We never do things the easy way do we?! Didn't think my heart was going to last that final 5 minutes. Excellent win but should've had them out of sight before then. Great performance by Hyam who was man of the match by a mile tonight. Arguably his best performance in a Town shirt. I'd love to see Hyam and Bishop's partnership blossom throughout this season as they seem to work very well together. Mings also brilliant I thought. I liked the formation as I don't think we have good enough wingers to play 4-4-2. If we get the win on Saturday against Rotherham then that table's going to look incredible. Long may it last! COYB!!

2

martleshamitfc added 22:05 - Sep 22 Wow a superb win and team performance on sky! Thought Berra was awesome at the back and well done MM for playing 4.3.3. Thought we lost the midfield when Skuse and Bishop went off? Mings had a great game again and the sale of Cresswell is looking great business now. Another 3 points on Saturday and we should be in the play-offf places. Happy days!
17

StuartBrett8 added 22:05 - Sep 22 Hyam was brilliant, but whenever the camera picked up on him he was flicking his hair, no bearing on the game but made me & my wife chuckle lol. Great win for town and further proof that we're heading in the right direction.... 3 on the bounce!!! BOOM
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MunichBlue added 22:07 - Sep 22 9th Phil? Dont you mean 7th????
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jas0999 added 22:08 - Sep 22 Despite the nervy finish, I thought we dominated the game and thoroughly deserved to win. Two very good goals and another hard working, gutsy performance. Credit Mick for the tactics which were spot on. Attacking, without being reckless, but stopped them from playing. 7 th in the league ... Remarkable what three straight wins can do. Great stuff. Well done all.
13

Kentish_Tractor added 22:08 - Sep 22 You know you support Ipswich when it's more painful to watch us win than watch us lose! All credit to McCarthy and the lads for the win. BUT. Why didn't he match them 4-4-2 or go to 4-5-1 when they changed? We suddenly had McGoldrick and Connor Sammon defending at left-back and they were all over us. McGoldrick should have been off much sooner as he looked shattered. Bru and Ambrose hardly did anything at all. Sammon and Murph couldn't keep the ball. I'm as happy as anyone with the win - but the way we did it was excruciating. Wigan were poor. Rotherham aren't much better (especially as half their team can't play), but we MUST play a better 90 minutes than that!

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TractorBoy85 added 22:09 - Sep 22 Great result tonight and makes it ever more greater that it's our first win at the DW. 3 in a row and we've been playing some nice football aswell with the Likes of Mings and bishop in the team. A long way to go but really enjoying this run were in atm, and long may it continue. COYB
6

hairbear added 22:09 - Sep 22 A proper all round midfield performance tonight from Hyam. A classic example of players coming good if given time in the team. MM deserves a lot of credit for sticking by him when many on here thought him not good enough.
7

TimmyH added 22:11 - Sep 22 I thought Mick got the tactics spot on tonight. We pressed, harassed Wigan for some 70 odd minutes of that match into making mistakes! - Not often over the last few years you can say an Ipswich side looks the more physical stronger side which won most of the 50/50's. At times not pretty to watch but Wigan just had no answer, of course we don't do anything easy and perhaps both psychologically and physically we had run our course towards the end and just got the win although we deserved it. Well done for a midfielder to break the duck this season and for Sammon for his perseverance for his goal. Just hope we can keep this style of play up over a 46 game season - must be some tired players tonight! Well done all round - good job done!

11

wessextractorboy added 22:11 - Sep 22 Keith Andrews saying that we are over achievers. Eat your words Mr Andrews. I thought we were 7th? 4 points behind Forrest.
6

blueboy1981 added 22:12 - Sep 22 Great 3 points for sure - however, has to be said somewhat fortunate to be honest. Had the game under control for around 75 minutes - then, under pressure, our defence looked about as composed as a 'F#rt in a Thunderstorm'. Tommy Smith didn't come on early enough to add much, if any, composure. Fortunate to leave Wigan with perhaps 2 points more than we really deserved in the end - BUT THEY ALL COUNT at the end of the season. Well done all.

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Fat_Boy_Tim added 22:14 - Sep 22 What a great performance Town. Hyam was outstanding, awsome finish too from a perfect Mings cross. Hyam, Mings, Berra and Gerken take a bow, they were all on top form tonight with Hyam rightly awarded MOTM because he also got the goal. A quick mention for Skuse too, he held us together tonight breaking stuff up and doing a lot of not too glamorous work, you could see how much more room there was too pass infront of our back four when Bru came on for him. Roll on Rotherham (Sounds like a really nasty deoderant that!) COYB!!!!

14

NoCanariesAllowed added 22:14 - Sep 22 Feels like the kind of game that we wouldn't have won in years gone by - and 3pts that could be very significant. No doubt we rode our luck at the end there. Wigan were utterly dominant in that last ten minutes and will count themselves very unlucky with that effort off the post. But let's have it right - prior to that 10mins, we were comfortable and thoroughly deserving of the victory. Mick's gameplan was working perfectly and we could have been much further ahead. So many individual performances I was pleased with tonight. Hyam was excellent throughout, got himself in the right place at the right time for his goal and finished it superbly. Mings' delivery for him was spot on and I think he had another great night marauding down that left wing, giving me considerable reassurance that he can indeed fill the Cresswell void. I thought the front three worked well together - pleased for Sammon to get off the mark as he was making a nuisance of himself and his persistence paid off. Murphy continues to impress me with his holdup play from the long ball and McGoldrick - while still not back to his best - is still proving his worth in possession in the final third. And of course there's Berra, who was walking a tightrope with the booking but yet again delivered with one of those crucial late challenges executed to perfection. Very pleasing display all round. Oh, and to those hardy fans who made the trip for such a stupidly timed, distant fixture: I salute you, and I'm so glad you were all rewarded. Top night all round.

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blueboy1981 added 22:18 - Sep 22 StuartBrett8 ........... you're right there - never stopped 'preening' the hair all game - I suggest he gets the top crop 'trimmed' .
3

JWM added 22:19 - Sep 22 This was a good positive thread until Blueboy came on to spout his negative load of bollox.
12

htb added 22:20 - Sep 22 Well done to the team and MM, typically hardworking but with a positive approach and a bit of flair. The team spirit really shines through. A nervy last ten minutes but a well deserved win. I would really love to see the midfield pairing of Hyam and Bishop blossom, they were high class tonight.
4

cartman1972 added 22:23 - Sep 22 Kentish_tractor you are talking rubbish. That was a bully boy performance and the ends justified the means. A brilliant albeit nervy final 10 mins but expert tactics and endeavour won that match
2

blueboy1981 added 22:23 - Sep 22 jason0999 ......... can understand the joy of 3 points away being gained - but in saying we dominated the game I can only assume you 'missed' the last 15. The stats alone will tell you we didn't actually dominate that game - we must be able to defend a two goal lead better than we did tonight, otherwise points will slip away - just like they so nearly did, and could have.

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