Daryl Murphy netted his seventh goal of the season to see the Blues to a 1-0 victory at Brighton, their fifth successive away victory which equals a club record set in 1976. Murphy seized on an error by Seagulls defender Lewis Dunk in the 32nd minute.

Boss Mick McCarthy made two changes to his XI - which had previously been unchanged for the previous six matches - with Ryan Fraser and Kevin Bru coming in for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who was injured, and Brett Pitman, who dropped to the bench.

Former Blues loanee David Stockdale started for the home side, who handed Connor Goldson his full debut at centre-half with skipper Gordon Greer ruled out with a hamstring injury. Jake Forster-Caskey, the step-son of former Blue Nicky Forster, was on the bench.

Town, in their orange third kit for only the second time, lined-up in a 4-3-3 formation with Fraser on the left and Freddie Sears on the right and Bru ahead of Cole Skuse and Jonathan Douglas in the central midfield three.

The Blues started brightly and created the game’s first opening in the fifth minute when Murphy fed in Fraser on the left of the area following a throw-in but the Scottish U21 international overhit his cross.

On 10 Dean Gerken came off his line quickly to claim ahead of Tomer Hemed as he chased a Bruno through ball. Two minutes later, Beram Kayal shot wide of the Blues’ keeper’s left post from distance.

As the game reached the quarter-hour mark Bru went within a couple of inches of putting the Blues in front. A Fraser cross from the left was half-cleared to the Mauritius international, who hit a dipping shot which beat Stockdale but struck the bar.

Town kept up the pressure and moments later Stockdale was forced to paw a deflected Skuse shot away for a corner, although the ball had looked to be going wide.

The Blues continued to have the better of the game, Skuse sending a ball across the area, then on 20 Sears cut the ball back from the right to Murphy, who looked to be clipped by Lewis Dunk.

The Town striker went to ground as a result but quickly got back to his feet and the chance came to nothing. Had he stayed down referee Stuart Attwell could well have pointed to the spot.

Four minutes later, Rajiv van La Parra found space on the left and hit a powerful low shot which Gerken saved sharply down to his left.

Albion thought they’d taken the lead in the 29th minute but were denied by a linesman’s flag.

Hemed beat Christophe Berra - who was wearing a bandage after receiving a cut to the head on Saturday - on the Brighton right and sent over a low cross which Dale Stephens deftly flicked towards goal.

Gerken reacted superbly to tip it onto the bar and Jamie Murphy tapped home from close range, but having strayed offside.

Three minutes later the Blues went in front. Dunk let the ball slip under his foot when under no pressure whatsoever, allowing Murphy to gain possession on the Town right and take it into the area before hitting a shot across Stockdale, off the post and over the line, with Goldson helping it on its way into the net.

Bru was handed the game’s first yellow card in the 34th minute for a foul on Inigo Calderon, a decision the Blues’ midfielder was less than impressed by.

Four minutes later, the Mauritian international hit the woodwork for the second time, diverting Fraser’s cross from the left against the near post, much to his frustration, before the ball was put behind by Dunk.

Fraser curled a shot wide before a quick-thinking Stockdale sent Jamie Murphy away beyond the Town backline but Gerken again reacted sharply to come off his line to claim ahead of the ex-Sheffield United man.

The Blues found themselves somewhat under the cosh in the closing minutes of the half but withstood the Seagulls’ pressure to go in 1-0 ahead at the break.

While Murphy’s goal may have been something of a gift, Town, with Fraser and Sears both a big threat down the flanks, deserved their lead on the overall balance of the half.

Bru will count himself very unfortunate not to have scored at least once having hit the woodwork twice, while Murphy might have had a decent shout for a penalty had he stayed down when caught by Dunk.

The home side created a couple of opportunities but when they did they found Gerken at the top of his game with the save from Stephens in the lead-up to the disallowed goal particularly memorable.

Stephens struck a weak effort through to Gerken soon after the restart, then Jamie Murphy crossed into the keeper’s hands with Brighton encamped in the Town half in the opening minutes of the second period.

Fraser did well to head away in front of Bruno on 51 from Hemed’s cross before Luke Hyam replaced Bru in the Blues midfield, the former academy player’s first Town appearance since suffering a knee injury in January.

The Blues went close to a second in the 55th minute when Sears crossed from the right to Fraser, whose shot reached Douglas on the edge of the six-yard box but the midfielder could only divert it straight at Stockdale, who clutched the ball to his chest at the second attempt.

On 59 van La Parra shot well wide after an intricately worked freekick had been played across the field to him following a foul by Skuse on Kayal.

Two minutes later, Hemed headed over from Murphy’s corner on the right with the home side continuing to have most of the ball but with Town repelling everything thrown at them and looking to counter-attack. On 65 the Seagulls switched Bobby Zamora and James Wilson for Hemed and Kayal.

Van La Parra shot wide after cutting from the right after a freekick had been cleared back to him on 72, then at the other end Fraser brought the ball in from the left and hit a powerful strike which Stockdale kept out somewhat uncomfortably.

The Scot got to the loose ball first on the edge of the box but his second shot was blocked, as was a subsequent effort from skipper Luke Chambers.

Berra did well to stab the ball behind ahead of Zamora on 73 then, after Gerken had twice punched dangerous away crosses, the former Tottenham man struck the woodwork. Seagulls skipper Bruno crossed from the right and the one-time England striker turned the ball against the bar from eight yards.

The game was continuing at a frenetic pace and it was little surprise when the tiring Fraser - who was making his first start since the end of September - was replaced by Brett Pitman. On 82 Calderon was booked for pulling back Hyam as the sub looked to break.

There was a scare for the Blues a minute later when Brighton sub Elvis Manu broke into the Town area - having fairly clearly fouled Tommy Smith - but curled his shot over.

With four minutes of scheduled time remaining the Blues replaced goalscorer Daryl Murphy with Luke Varney.

Town saw out four minutes of injury time to claim their fifth away win on the trot, something only previously achieved once in the club’s history, by Sir Bobby Robson’s Blues between October and December 1976.

Having got their noses in front in the first half - when they might have been further ahead - Town were happy to sit back on their lead and, much as they did against the MK Dons, battle out the game.

Centre-halves Smith and Berra were outstanding but the team defended superbly from front to back to end 2015 on a winning note.

The result sees the Blues - who home and away have now won seven out of their last 10 matches - stay in sixth place - now four points in front of Sheffield Wednesday in seventh - ahead of another difficult trip to Burnley - fifth, a point ahead of Town - on Saturday when they have a chance to set a new record of six successive away wins.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Bru (Hyam 52), Fraser (Pitman 77), Sears, Murphy (Varney 86). Unused: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, Tabb, Oar.

Brighton: Stockdale, Bruno (c), Goldson, Dunk, Calderon, Crofts, Stephens, Kayal (Wilson 65), van La Parra, Hemed (Zamora 65), Murphy (Manu 75). Unused: Maenpaa, Chicksen, Ince, Forster-Caskey. Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire). Att: 27,689 (Town: 1,752).

Photo: Action Images

Macquarie added 23:43 - Dec 29 How many millions did this side cost? More than credit is due to Mick. Fabulous win! COYB!
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linhdi added 23:52 - Dec 29 Deservedly, the dressing room will have been a very happy place. That was a huge performance, unfair to single out anyone, so I will. Berra. And Knudsen. And Skuse. And Sears. And. All of you wonderful Ipswich players. Great night (and fab beer down here too).
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Cakeman added 23:53 - Dec 29 Spot on TheSelkirk, well said.
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DerryfromBury added 00:02 - Dec 30 Brilliant Performance away from home. It would be unfair to single anyone player for MoM everyone to a man ran their socks off tonight. The atmospheare was something else. Just got back to hotel bar for a well earned pint.
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essexbluey added 00:23 - Dec 30 We can beat anyone now. Well done to all the team and credit to mick and terry.
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blueherts added 00:47 - Dec 30 great turnout , as usual for the game and that with trains messed up Thought we could have been 2 up at the break - Sears again covering every blade of grass - Fraser a constant threat and Bru looking so composed - couple of sublime passes Those three add some real quality to the real workmanlike performances of Skuse etc Second half we seemed to be on the back foot - and when Zamora and Wilson came on we were soaking up the pressure but they never really troubled - with all the recent games our back 4 and esp Gerks were excellent Sears ran himself into the ground but just kepy going - and what a fantastic recent run of results Mick is a realist and when you look at the Derby squad and others whet we are achieving is even more impressive Tough game Saturday and keen to see if they can all go for one more - must be some tired legs out there - Bru , Sears and Fraser give us a real bit of quality - not sure Douglas could go one more - he looked gone at the end - worked well in there Just got to wtach GRAY and his pace on Saturday - I can still see the damage he did coming on against us on the first day of season vs Brentford - stop him and I think we may get something out of it ... GREAT JOB MICK , TC et al

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blueherts added 00:49 - Dec 30 great turnout , as usual for the game and that with trains messed up Thought we could have been 2 up at the break - Sears again covering every blade of grass - Fraser a constant threat and Bru looking so composed - couple of sublime passes Those three add some real quality to the real workmanlike performances of Skuse etc Second half we seemed to be on the back foot - and when Zamora and Wilson came on we were soaking up the pressure but they never really troubled - with all the recent games our back 4 and esp Gerks were excellent Sears ran himself into the ground but just kepy going - and what a fantastic recent run of results Mick is a realist and when you look at the Derby squad and others whet we are achieving is even more impressive Tough game Saturday and keen to see if they can all go for one more - must be some tired legs out there - Bru , Sears and Fraser give us a real bit of quality - not sure Douglas could go one more - he looked gone at the end - worked well in there Just got to wtach GRAY and his pace on Saturday - I can still see the damage he did coming on against us on the first day of season vs Brentford - stop him and I think we may get something out of it ... GREAT JOB MICK , TC et al

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Lightningboy added 00:55 - Dec 30 Cracking result lads...great to see Fraser and Bru back. Great end to 2015.
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Europablue added 01:03 - Dec 30 Fraser was a big loss as was Bru. Great to have them back. It does seem like Brighton are on their way down as we go up. I feel like we are quite solid for the playoffs, but perhaps top two is beyond us. Anyway, one can dream.
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PJH added 01:05 - Dec 30 Another great awayday. Berra magnificent,Gerken brilliant,Knudsen,Skuse and Sears all very good.All others contributed to a great away result. This win was different to our other six(so far)away wins because we were under pressure from a good side for long periods,but we weathered it. Will hopefully repeat it in all respects at Burnley on Saturday. It is a good time to be an away follower of ITFC. COYB

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BrettenhamBlue added 05:16 - Dec 30 We have strength in depth now, which means we have a great chance as long as we stay injury free. A great result. Very happy.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:01 - Dec 30 Great night via Player. Nervous for the last half hour and kept telling myself a draw would still be a good result, but we did better than that. Players returning such as Fraser and Bru are giving us a lift, and it's good to be able to freshen up the starting eleven - no detriment to players such as Pitman who have done well for us so far. How far can we go? I'm not sure, but it's all to play for, and MM has done brilliantly to get us into this position. Hope we can learn from last season and kick on. Finally, huge respect for the travelling fans. You came over loud and clear in my flat in Sweden and made me proud to support our club.

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jonbull88 added 07:49 - Dec 30 I believe Liam88 was trying to say some of the people on here have been negative all season and suddenly after a few wins are all happy, I sort of agree with him a bit, but the way he put it across was totally unnecessary.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 08:47 - Dec 30 MM has been a great manager for us ever since he arrived, the team we see is the one he has created, that doesn't happen overnight. His strength is that he fully commits to his players, you won't hear him slagging them off in public, they respect him because he respects them. He is loved by the staff at Portman Rd which says a lot. I like him a lot, i think in 20 years he will be up there with Sir Bobby in our affections.

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hogster1970 added 09:14 - Dec 30 well at the last minute i managed to get a ticket and me and my mate went, we have been to every away game from charlton so was atleast hoping for a draw, onve we saw the team sheet our faces light up and both of us thinking hell we can win this with fraser and bru starting. and yep as predicted fraser and bru gave the midfield that cutting edge we lacked, every player tonight put in every thing they had and left all the blood and guts on the pitch to prove it. first half we dominated and could have easily been 2 up at half time, brighton are no mugs even with some injuries and they came at us for most of the second half, was nice to see us captialise on a sides mistake for once and what a great taken poachers goal murphy. this game reminds me so much of watford away last year, not so much in the smash and grab win but more the battling to keep them at bay. had a couple of heart in mouth moments when berra managed to intercept there player deep in the second half when he was away down the wing on his own, and when deano came out for the ball at the latter stages. but what a great game and a great win, i would be happy with a draw at burnley but a win would be awsome

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Jimmy86 added 09:31 - Dec 30 Great win, brilliant result and we go to Burnley full of confidence. There's no reason why we can't go and beat them and set a new away record. Fair play to Gerken, who is improving of late, just hope he can kick on qnd keep up this level of performance. I've always thought we have the players to play a 4 2 3 1, it's good to see Mick change it up a bit and give that system a go. We have important players coming back and hopefully bring in a couple of additions in January, like we did last season, when we brought in Sears. I would get Moncur from Colchester. Top 2 perhaps out of reach, but we can really kick on now and get into that chasing pack. Happy new year fellow town fans!!! COYB

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blueboy1981 added 09:40 - Dec 30 oh well bohslegend .......... you've certainly nailed your colours to the mast now, for any who had doubts - TRUE BLUE ??? .... absolute FAKE. And people must now fully realise that - after looking at the plus / minus's you've cast since this great win.
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carsey added 10:08 - Dec 30 Just watched the high lights on Sky Sports (which always seem much longer than those that appear on TWTD) and it looked like a very open attacking game. Great to see so many Town attempts. Seems they prefer to play away from Portman Road at present or maybe they just set up differently. What ever the reason a great result with Burnley next it could be a fantastic end to 2015. Still not convinced about the style but you only get 3 points for a win no matter how pretty you look doing it.

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buntITFC added 10:32 - Dec 30 No team has scored more goals than Town in the last 10 league games (18) and only one side (Boro) have gained more points than Town in the last 10 matches too. Tells you a lot doesn't it.....
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fifeblue added 11:48 - Dec 30 This could be the season-defining result. They have a real chance now. A bit of momentum in the New Year and they can catch the top two.
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bugledog123 added 14:54 - Dec 30 Result! COYB!
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jabberjackson added 15:30 - Dec 30 blueboy81 you have far too much time on your hands if you count up pluses and minuses we'll see which way your worm turns when we have a couple of dodgy results I, for one, much prefer the even handed and calm way that Mick runs the tem, and am very pleased he doesn't knee jerk like some on this site...
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Langdon_Blue added 15:36 - Dec 30 Fantastic result. Plus the encouraging thing is seeing, Bru, Fraser, Hyam and Varney back fit and involved again. Hopefully Bishop and McGoldrick will return soon. We have yet to field a full strength team this season, imagine what we could achieve if those players remain available for the second part of the season.
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:49 - Dec 30 WOWSER ! that was a result, Well chuffed.Listened to match, but seemed like we played well, i really didnt expect 3 points from this one.The ''knockers'' on M M s back ,will be choking now. Wednesday losing too, we are well placed to start the 2nd half ,Well done lads. Fingers x for Saturday again a tough game ,but ........... COYB
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Dissboyitfc added 17:54 - Dec 30 sorry cakeman i meant to upmark you
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