Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Brett Pitman were on target as the Blues beat Bolton 2-0 at Portman Road to end their seven-game winless run. Maitland-Niles put Town ahead in the 13th minute with his first senior goal, then Pitman smashed home a brilliant second on 70 to seal the three points.

Mick McCarthy made two changes with Jonas Knudsen, back from his hamstring problem, returning at left-back and Pitman up front with Jonny Parr and David McGoldrick dropping to the bench.

The Blues, without a win in seven but having won 13 on the trot on Tuesday evenings at Portman Road, began in a 4-4-2 formation with Freddie Sears on the left.

Bolton started the brighter and Dean Gerken was forced into a save in only the third minute, the keeper blocking Max Clayton’s stooping header with his chest on the edge of the six-yard box after good work from Darren Pratley and Gary Madine.

Three minutes later Kevin Bru struck the Blues’ first shot but curled his shot from distance well wide.

On seven, Maitland-Niles was pulled back midway inside the Bolton half on the right by Jose Manuel Casado, who was booked by referee Darren Deadman.

The freekick initially came to nothing but Bru picked up the ball on the right and drilled over a cross which Pitman headed goalwards, but too close to Trotters keeper Ben Amos. A foot or two either side of the former Manchester United man and the Blues might have been celebrating.

But it didn’t take too long for the home crowd to have something to shout about. Town broke quickly in the 13th minute and Murphy sent Maitland-Niles away on the right with a superb pass.

The on-loan Arsenal man cut in and curled a low shot which Amos reached but couldn’t prevent hitting the net. The keeper clearly thought he ought to have done better as the Town players congratulated the 18-year-old on his first senior goal.

Bolton looked to get back on terms but Christophe Berra blocked Liam Feeney’s shot from the right of the area.

Pitman lobbed well wide from a Sears pass on 20, then a minute later the former Bournemouth man was convinced he’d netted Town’s second of the evening.

Keeper Amos collided with one of his defenders and dropped a cross which had come in from the left. Pitman reacted quickly to stab towards goal and made it clear that he felt the ball had crossed the line before Casado hooked away. Referee Deadman and his linesman believed otherwise.

The Blues were by now dominating and on 24 Sears exchanged passes with Pitman and the ex-Colchester man broke into the area on the left but Amos came off the line quickly to block.

There was a big scare for the Blues in the 27th minute when Clayton was sent away on goal and as he approached the edge of the penalty box Knudsen deliberately clipped him.

Referee Deadman immediately went for his yellow card but the official might well have judged it an obvious goalscoring opportunity and dismissed the Danish international.

The freekick was played to David Wheater but his powerful strike was blocked by a diving Luke Chambers.

Bolton had got themselves on top having seeming to be on the ropes immediately following the goal and on 31 the Blues skipper made another important block, this time from Darren Pratley on the left of the box.

The visitors continued to take the game to Town and on 36 Feeney crossed from the right but Clayton just couldn’t get a toe to it and Gerken claimed.

Two minutes later the Blues weren’t far from a second when Knudsen crossed from the left, Pitman nodded back across goal and Sears, by now operating on the right, hooked over.

On 41 Pitman sent Sears away down the left but the goalscorer looked to be hampered by an injury and failed to find Sears with his cross. Moments later, the England U19 international was replaced by Jonathan Douglas with Bru moving to the right.

In the final moments of scheduled time Murphy fed Sears on the left of the area but Amos saved his low strike.

Just before the whistle Wheater bundled the ball wide following a freekick from deep but the linesman’s flag had already.

After starting slowly, the Blues grabbed the lead via Maitland-Niles and then looked likely to go on to add to their goals with Pitman unlucky not to have made it 2-0.

But Bolton came back into it and might well have got back on terms, while Knudsen was perhaps fortunate to avoid a red card. However, by the end of the half the Blues had begun to regain the ascendancy.

The visitors swapped Prince-Desire Gouano for Derik Osede at right-back at the start of the second half and four minutes after the restart Town were within a couple of inches of adding to their lead.

Bru’s corner was cleared to the edge of the area from where Douglas struck a ferocious drive which seemed destined to rip a hole in the net until it struck a defender and hit the top of the bar and flew into the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand.

So powerfully hit was the shot that referee Deadman missed the touch off the Bolton player and awarded a goalkick.

The Blues had started the half well and on 51 Sears came close to making it 2-0. Knudsen did well to nod Murphy's cross from the right back across goal and a combination of Wheater and Amos kept out Sears’s header.

Town kept up the pressure but without creating many chances. On 61 Casado did well to get back to stab the ball behind as the impressive Murphy brought the ball along the byline on the right.

Wheater headed straight at Gerken in the 68th minute following a freekick which had been somewhat generously awarded to the visitors on the Town right after Pratley went to ground under the attention of Chambers and Bru.

Two minutes later, Town’s second finally came and what a goal it was. Following another contested Bolton freekick midway inside the Blues’ half, the ball was cleared and Sears was sent away down the right.

The striker cut inside a defender and played the ball into the path of Pitman, who had made a clever run across Osede, and the Blues’ number 11 lashed a superb strike past Amos from the edge of the box to claim a brilliant fourth of the season.

Two minutes after Pitman’s goal, Sears went looking for a third but stabbed wide after chasing a ball over the top.

The Blues continued to press and on 75 Pitman was unlucky not to claim his second when his header from Murphy’s cross from the right was headed off the line by Spearing with Amos beaten. A minute later, Pitman nodded Knudsen’s cross from the left over.

Murphy headed over on 78, moments before Bolton brought on veteran former England striker Emile Heskey. Two minutes later, Chambers was booked for a foul on Pratley.

As the game moved into the final 10 minutes, a third Town goal was looking more likely than a Bolton first. On 82 Sears, who deserved a goal, shot across the face of goal from the left.

With two minutes of scheduled time remaining Sears hit a looping effort from more than 30 yards which Amos dived to his left to claim. Seconds later, McGoldrick replaced Pitman, who was given a standing ovation by the home support as he left the field.

McGoldrick was immediately involved in the action, feeding Sears on the left and then just managing to slide in and get to the return cross but without being able to get in a significant effort on goal.

With the match in injury time Feeney shot over when trying to catch Gerken off his line, then Sears was dispossessed when breaking into the area as he continued his tireless running on the left, before Amos blocked a Murphy effort from the right.

That was the last of Town’s 20 attempts of the evening - 10 of them on target, not far off the 14 they managed in the whole of October - as their winless run was finally and deservedly halted.

Skipper Chambers’s long-awaited victory fist-pump in front of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand - Town had failed to win their last five home games, drawing the last four - was greeted by some of the biggest cheers of the night as the Blues made it 14 successive wins at Portman Road on Tuesdays.

Having been in front at the break, Town rarely looked in any trouble after the break and it was a case of when they would take one or more of their numerous chances and the scoreline could easily have been more comfortable than 2-0.

The Blues are up to 10th ahead of Saturday’s trip to Rotherham, who remain bottom of the table.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Bru, Maitland-Niles (Douglas 44), Sears, Murphy, Pitman (McGoldrick 88). Unused: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, Parr, Coke, Oar.

Bolton: Amos, Prince (Osede 46), Dervite, Wheater, Casado, Vela, Spearing (Heskey 79), Pratley, Feeney, Clayton (Woolery 73), Madine. Unused: Rachubka, Osede, Danns, Dobbie, Twardzik. Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire). Att: 17,017 (Bolton: 245).

Photo: Action Images

therein61 added 06:34 - Nov 4 Well done the boys in blue a deserved 3 points and the best performance in ages made a long journey worthwhile, now keep it up please!
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BrettenhamBlue added 06:48 - Nov 4 52 comments when we win. 200 plus when we lose.
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bluelady added 07:39 - Nov 4 I for one have not supported Luke chambers at right back but think last three games he has improved immensely both in attack and defence - teams who try to put every ball down that wing as a tactic are suddenly getting little or no joy.. Keep it up Luke! We have improved over the last three games, Saturday with the rub of the green we would have won that.... So let's hope we are now on the up! Personally I think the turnaround is due to two key factors 1. Berra has regained his mojo - Saturday he was like a one man defence at times.. Smiths flaws are so much less obvious when Berra is on song because he covers his butt! 2. Bru - what a great player, he puts everything into the game always available for the ball and had a little bit of magic on occasions too.. His reintroduction has resulted in Skuse being on much better form. All in all a good and much needed result but only the next 3-4 games will show if we really are back...

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tallguy6767 added 07:58 - Nov 4 Chuffed and relieved we've won at last! Hope it continues. But shut up the plebs who think we are now world beaters and we're certs for promotion and can't stand people voicing their valid intelligent opinions!! It was Bolton and next Rotherham who we should also be beating.
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Surco72 added 08:05 - Nov 4 Cracking result and for the first time in a long time I enjoyed the game and the long drive home . Thought Bolton were a poor very slow side who are only going one way but we handled the job in task very well . The shape seemed better and with the added movement of Pitman up front it brought more out of Sears who had a great game . Murphy looked more up for the game tonight but desperately needs that goal . Felt sorry for Parr when I saw the team selection in the ground but actually thought Knudsen had one of his best games for town so far . Gerkin was solid throughout but I still doubt the back four shape and positioning especially against better sides and there will be many in this league than Bolton . Personally think Bru has made a considerable difference wanting the ball and looking to go forward as the midfield has been very static and one dimensional for too many games Good three points and games to really turn the season around coming up , unbeaten last November lets do it again .

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Keaneish added 08:08 - Nov 4 I backed a 2- nil win and i also backed a 5-nil win for a laugh. It could so easily have been though! The Championship! Talking of bets, the bet with Bluefeast is still alive. We just need 3 more straight wins now!
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prebsa added 08:43 - Nov 4 Finally, its been a long time coming. 3 points fully deserved. We looked a much better side last night, however there were times when it was still difficult to watch, the odd time of hoof ball and watching Bolton pass it around us, but i will take all of that if it means we get the 3 points. People defending chambers, yes he may of been slightly better but Bolton still got round him plenty of time to easily! Murphy also looked a bit better last night, feel he should of done a little better with a few of his chances but with no confidence i cant really blame him for that, so if he keeps performing a little bit more every week then that can only be a positive. I was shocked to see Mick take Parr out! He has done nothing wrong and I really cant see him signing a new contract here as he gets treated so poorly. I feel sorry for Parr cos he is our best fullback its just a shame Mick dosent see it. But last night was better, it wasent great because it was only Bolton but it was better, and if we play the same again on Saturday then i am sure we will get another 3 points!

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KiwiTractor added 09:03 - Nov 4 Well done lads!
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peewee added 09:15 - Nov 4 One win and everyone patting each other on the bk and taking pop shots at the fans that see that a win is papering over the cracks of poor tactics and no plan b . It's time for Evans to state his intentions by Xmas none of the I will match market conditions
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cats_whiskers added 09:31 - Nov 4 To put things into perspective It's finally a win against toothless opposition We have been constipated for several weeks And finally had a bit of Laxative chocolate to relieve that Remember we lost at Rotherham last year! Before fans get too excited and mess their pants.
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bohslegend added 09:54 - Nov 4 @warktheline "I manage an under 7's football team, and I can safely say they have more understanding of the ethos of the game than plenty on here!!!" Thank God for that, at least now I know you have credibility when you are telling MM how to manage the team. Turns out you ARE right about everything. Coz you manage an Under 7s.
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linhdi added 10:07 - Nov 4 Typo of the week, Phil: "...dour minutes after the restart...". Or a freudian slip? Really good team performance, unfair to single out anyone for praise, but here goes anyway - Gerks, Knudsen, Sears, Pitman. AMN's goal was beautifully taken, Pitman's reminiscent of Hurst's 3rd back in July '66... if only we'd hung on at Forest, and had a little bit of luck v Cardiff, we'd be right up there... Buzzing for Saturday...

3

oldegold added 10:17 - Nov 4 Clearly very thankful for the victory but I thought we laboured to attack and go for the throat when Bolton were there for the taking. The ball was too often in the air but when we attacked seriously, we showed what can come form an attacking instinct. It was not a fantastic performance by any means but dogged and resourceful and I am certainly not getting carried away as had we played a top quality team, we would have struggled with our "go for a point" attitude.I thought Freddy worked very hard as usual but Bru looked lackadaisical in midfield. Didn't understand putting on Douglas for Maitland-Niles when we needed McGoldrick to go for goals but we won't get that from MM with his defensive mentality. Let's hope in an attacking display on Saturday as Rotherham are there for the taking but it all depends if MM has the bottle to go for it or treat Rotherham like world-beaters..over to you, Mick...show us your moves...

4

cats_whiskers added 11:03 - Nov 4 Huddersfield Town have sacked manager Chris Powell They obviously believe they should be a club competing at the top How disillusioned their board must be. They drew 2-2 at Reading last night Unlike us losing 5-1 there
3

RRanger added 11:06 - Nov 4 Truckerblue: It's 14 successive HOME wins on a Tuesday night!
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Kirbmeister added 12:27 - Nov 4 Before last night 9/10 posters were calling for MM's sacking. Haven't read any of those on this article. Does that mean he's allowed to remain for now? He will be pleased.
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NSL added 12:40 - Nov 4 Good to get the win for sure, but I thought it simply looked like a mid-table team playing a rock bottom team, which reflects the ability of both sides and is more than likely where we will both end up! I don't understand where they get the callers to Radio Suffolk either - one saying the last 20 mintures was worth the admission alone!! I mean really?!!
4

warktheline added 13:56 - Nov 4 Bohslegend, you really are brainless, blind faith, no questions asked. My 7 year old asks more questions than you, you need to grow a pair!
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warktheline added 14:02 - Nov 4 ..... We've beaten bottom club Bolton, all of a sudden we're talk of the Championship! Laughable. The sheep are barrrrrrrrrring!!!!
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:09 - Nov 4 Well four points out of six for my visit was not too bad. Spirited performances even if they lacked finesse. Just wish we could calm down a bit at times and play it through midfield rather than giving the ball straight back to the opposition. Sears MoM last night for me. Murphy looked to be regaining a bit of form. Defence fairly solid after some early scares. But I was always very nervous at 1-0 as Bolton began to see a lot of the ball. 2-0 felt better and the team seemed to begin to relax and play their best football at this point. Not a fan of Lennon and some Bolton fans behaved like yobs. The end.

1

battyblue added 16:24 - Nov 4 kirbmiester=? McCarthy out lets get a manager with some B-lls and the ability to select the best team from the squad.
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Kirbmeister added 16:46 - Nov 4 Battyblue - that makes it 1 out of about 100 saying they want him sacked on this article then. Just making a point about our fickle support.
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Keaneish added 18:41 - Nov 4 And what is that best team Batty?
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neillrumsey added 19:01 - Nov 4 First and foremost 3 points was a must and the team delivered albeit against poor opposition. For me the performance was much better in patches similar to Saturday in that respect. When our footballers were in possession we looked good however there aren't enough of them therefore ball retention is again a huge problem. Pat on the back for Gerken with two clean sheets must keep this up. MM has been very patient with him. Knudsen for me is not good enough needless fouls in dangerous areas and woeful distribution. Chambers ditto really. Both centre backs had solid games and Berra certainly looked sharper. Bru is a footballer who wants the ball on the deck and will pass and move the same goes for Sears AMN and Pitman. The team can be successful is they play football but launching to Murph is so predictable that teams have us sussed. Positives for me were AMN first goal well taken, Sears lively and a real threat, Pitman although he has an unusual style is a proper goal scorer who is goal in the air and who finished superbly. Murph had a much better gamer but doesn't look a threat in front of goal but is a different option as required. McG is another footballer who again showed his class in the two minutes he was given . The foundation is now in place to build on from this excellent result starting with 3 points on Saturday against another poor team.

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Westy added 20:05 - Nov 4 Great result - Gerken's form has improved since he stopped wearing yellow and green.
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