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

Pilgrimblue added 20:09 - Nov 4 I thought JK had super game and while he made a couple of mistakes he was a definite plus. Sadly can't say the same about Luke, he missed tackles (could easily been sent off) and his passing was very poor. Only good thing was his fist pumps! Pitman and Sears were fantastic plus Bru showed skills we've been missing. But we still gave the ball away too easily. Skuse still lacking confidence to go forward but perhaps with others around him playing better he'll do more. Great goals

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thebeat added 20:14 - Nov 4 Nice to see the disciples out in force after last nights win but lets be realistic. 1: It was against one of the worst teams to come down here in years. 2: The decision to drop Parr for Knudsen was a disgrace and proved its one rule for "The undroppables" and one rule for everybody else. 3: 1st half we played well and when AMN came off it shouldnt have been Douglas who came on, it gave Bolton a way back in and they dominated the 2nd half until a bit of magic from Sears broke their hearts. Im thankful for the 3 points but im not gona get over excited, in the long term players will still be selected for the wrong reasons to the detriment of the team.

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Steelmonkey added 20:17 - Nov 4 Lets see what happens Saturday before we afford Manager of the month awards. Against a very big side - stature wise, we did well, hope to see this form carry on. It did look like progress is being made on last nights performance. Pleased to see Knudsen having a competant game, however another foul throw against him, was not very professional. Murphy battled hard against man mountain Wheater, and looked alot sharper. Sears, an ever livewire player, shame he didn't get on the scoresheet. Well done Maitland - Niles for your first goal for town, and a cracking goal from Pitman Lets hope MM is steering us in the right direction once more. COYB's.

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blueboy1981 added 20:34 - Nov 4 ........ warktheline - it's quite concerning that we have fans/supporters such as 'you know who' & Co. The worst part of which is, they think they are the Club's 'real' supporters .......... too laughable for words, and needs to be treated with the disdain they deserve, and warrant.
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runningout added 20:48 - Nov 4 Would be a bit dull if site was full of happy clappers.. A good win v a poor Bolton side is not something to go over the top about for sure..
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wayway added 20:59 - Nov 4 So everything in the garden is rosy now after beating a crap side So who are we going to replace in the top six? Hull, Burnley, Brighton, Middlesboro, Derby, Birmingham or are we going to get past Reading and Sheff Wed? Oh yes, and tonight I am going to win the lottery
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blueboy1981 added 21:24 - Nov 4 wayway ........... that's presenting a fair reality check - highlights the size of the task now after leading then all earlier. The lost points will certainly take some reclaiming - however, we can but hope, I guess.
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MrDiddle added 22:42 - Nov 4 Enlighten us @blueboy1981 - what criteria do people have to follow in order to be a 'true fan' like yourself? Do we all have to be an obnoxious little waste of space like you?
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thebeat added 08:42 - Nov 5 MrDiddle the point blueboys making is the people on here who support mick in everything he does regardless of all the favouritsm,round pegs in square holes etc costing us a lot of points think they are true fans because they walk round with their eyes shut
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Kirbmeister added 09:43 - Nov 5 We should have a link on these articles so those who want to slag off others can do so on a different forum so the rest of us don't have to suffer the tedium of it all, and can get on and read the interesting entries of which there are many.
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Bob7881 added 10:10 - Nov 5 Can people stop moaning about the moaners on this site and support them instead.
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Razor added 10:27 - Nov 5 Lets talk football----much improved performance all round, actual passing occurred and it was great to see pass and go moves accurately executed. Anybody note how many fantastic blocks Chambo actually makes in a game----it is a lot and I tend to forgive him his aimless punts as he saves so many goals. Must build on this and win on Saturday then we all enjoy the break a little better!!

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Bob7881 added 10:53 - Nov 5 I always see every game as a fresh start, and know matter what team the manager puts out want them to win and play well. However after a poor game or good game fans are entitled to go over the performance, that`s what made football so great. Everyone sees the game different I don`t slag off people who like MM`s style of football I just happen not to agree with them. Doe`s that make me any less of a fan?. So when results are not going well and the football is poor yes im going to have my say. If results are going well the fans who back MM are entitled to have their say and heap praise on him. I quite like MM but not his style of football i think he is honest as a manager and am sure he trust his own judgement of team selection. He`s been intrusted with the job of managing the team and he`s very well paid to do it I have to accept the situation as much as I did with Duncan, Keane and Jewell also with Evans to a point. All of the above mentioned they will probably get a paragraph in the history of ITFC. I don`t accept that ITFC would of disappeared without Evans intervention. How the hell Sheepshanks is entrusted with anything at the FA escapes me as far as Im concerned he used ITFC to network for his own benefit. How often do you see him at Potman Road these days? Any way we are where we are, so up the Town get a win Saturday the football club will still be about when we are all long gone I just want to enjoy my little piece of it is that too much to ask

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thebeat added 11:29 - Nov 5 Kirbmeister the problem is if you dare to question anything to do with the club and manager on here you are not a real supporter. They sit up there on their moral loft thinking they are real supporters because they're happy to go 10 games without a win while playing hoofball while the manager continues to pick the wrong players in the wrong position out of pure favouritism. But hey we finally won a game against the worst team in the division so lets all be happy for the rest of the season and ignore what Mick said the other week about leaving players out on purpose cus the fans want them in. Don't slate at us because we point things out and then moan when we have a go back at you.

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battyblue added 12:00 - Nov 5 kirbmeister maybe the problem is you, i have no problem with anyone having there say whether its the IN MICK WE TRUST BRIGADE/HAPPY CLAPPERS/OR TIME FOR A CHANGE POSTERS i read them all have a smile at some agree with some and not with others so why cant you and one or two others accept we are not all like you.
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thebeat added 13:14 - Nov 5 I genuinely think three people on here are either related to Mick or are his personal fan club. They continually downmark comments even when they are factually correct. But don't forget they are "real supporters"
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warktheline added 13:43 - Nov 5 Kirbmeister, maybe you could start your own site, you can then decide if posts need to be vetted! I imagine any criticism would be removed, and you could have music playing in the background, may I suggest a couple of tracks, 'Don't worry be happy 'and Captain Sensible's 'Happy happy happy happy talk!'
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Seasider added 13:54 - Nov 5 Been too busy to get on here til now. Unlike some always at Portman Rd;but everyone entitled to opinion,and no one deserves the abuse dished out,mainly it seems to me by those who support Mick unconditionally. Was disappointed for Jonathan Parr and to A lesser extent Didsy as he seemed to be coasting a bit on Saturday.It seems that some players are droppable whilst others are brought back straight away regardless. Agree Knudsen had a better game than of late;but his foul on the edge of our area could have resulted in a goal,and a sending off. Chambo got skinned as usual several times as teams tend to play on him,but recall one time he got back and made a super recovery tackle. I like Kevin Bru who passes then moves and is rarely static,as does Pitman.Freddie Sears as usual never stopped running.First and second goals both goodbuild ups with BALL ON THE DECK Yes a good game by Ipswich with a bit less hoof;but must bear in mind it was against a poor side.Face another on Saturday so hoping for similar result.

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Kirbmeister added 14:24 - Nov 5 Battyblue - if you're going to have a go at least get your spelling right - it's 'their' not 'there'.
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BillBlue added 15:42 - Nov 5 Kirbmeister - Oh, clever boy!
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TimmyH added 17:13 - Nov 5 Constructive criticism and moaning - two different things altogether, I always post when we win and congratulate the team (without getting carried away). Wouldn't this site be boring if everybody had the same views...some people obviously think we should be blinkered to bad results and why they are happening.
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warktheline added 17:48 - Nov 5 @kirbmeister, before the Bolton win your faith appeared to be slipping, MOANING about us being no better than mediocrity, now you're digging at anyone who can't see the light!!! Are we top six material, or are we still mediocrity? Also scoring points on someone 's spelling isn't clever!
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blueboy1981 added 18:45 - Nov 5 ........ it really concerns me that we have these people 'supposedly' supporting our Club. But we must not forget - they are the 'real' Supporters - because they expect NOWT..... !!!!!!!!!
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