For the second week running a Ben Pringle goal was the difference between the sides as the Blues beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Portman Road. The on-loan Fulham man, the scorer of the only goal at Huddersfield last week, turned the winner home off the post in the 63rd minute after good work from Kevin Foley.

Daryl Murphy and Jonathan Douglas missed out due to injury with Luke Hyam and Kevin Bru coming into the starting line-up, while Andre Dozzell, aged 16 years and 308 days, was on the bench for the first time.

The Blues started in a 4-4-2 formation with Bru on the right and Freddie Sears and Brett Pitman up front.

Forest threatened first in the third minute, Bialkowski doing well to get down to his left to push Nelson Oliveira’s header wide from Ben Osborn’s left-wing cross. From David Vaughan flag-kick, Gary Gardner headed straight at Bialkowski.

Dexter Blackstock picked up the game’s first yellow card in the seventh minute for catching Christophe Berra with an arm.

On eight, Sears broke away through the middle and found Pitman but Forest keeper Dorus de Vries was able to claim his low shot from a tight angle on the left.

Town were taking control of the game and in the 12th minute a long spell of Blues’ passing in the Forest half ended with Bru threading in Sears on the right of the area and de Vries pawing his shot wide at his near post.

But Forest came back into it and in the 18th minute Bialkowski made another terrific save when Pitman surrendered possession midway inside the Blues half with only Berra and Tommy Smith back.

Blackstock fed Oliveira and the on-loan Benfica man curled a shot towards the left corner of the Polish keeper’s goal, but the Town number 33 got across superbly to push the ball around the post.

Both sides had had chances in an entertaining first quarter of the game which had swung one way and then the other and on 22 Sears brought the ball forward before hitting a shot which de Vries palmed away.

Ryan Mendes was sent away on the right of the Town area on 24 but Berra got across to divert the ball behind. From the corner taken by Vaughan, the visitors went close to going in front when skipper Matt Mills powered a header off the top of the bar.

Town threatened on 28 when de Vries punched away Bru’s curling right-wing cross ahead of Pitman and the ball fell to Foley 20 yards out, but his shot went well over. Soon after, Pitman sent over a low cross from the right but the Forest keeper was able to claim comfortably.

Berra reached a high ball before De Vries virtually on the goal-line on 33 following a corner but the keeper was able to claim before the Scotland international could get in a second header.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 36th minute when a ball forward sent Gardner through on goal but Berra did well to get across to dispossess the on-loan Villa man."

What had been an entertaining half lost its momentum somewhat in a quiet final 10 minutes but just before the fourth official indicated an additional minute, Forest should have gone in front. Osborn crossed from the left and Gardner headed over from a few feet out when it seemed easier to hit the target.

Seconds later, the referee’s whistle ended what had been a well-contested half in which both sides had had opportunities, although with the visitors having had the better of the chances, and in which the again excellent Bialkowski had been the busier keeper.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles replaced Bru ahead of the second half with the on-loan Arsenal youngster a more natural wideman than the Mauritius international.

Three minutes after the restart, Pitman required treatment after he was caught late by Eric Lichaj, much to annoyance of the rest of the Town players. Referee Andy Woolmer gave a freekick but kept his cards in his pocket.

Town started to dominate, passing the ball around confidently and winning it back whenever they lost it. However, without creating an opening.

On 58 Foley shot over from distance, then a minute later Osborn scraped a low shot not too far wide of Bialkowski’s right post.

On the hour mark Michael Mancienne, who played for Town boss Mick McCarthy at Wolves, was booked for a foul on Sears midway inside the Forest half. Pringle’s freekick came to nothing.

A minute later, Oliveira smashed a shot across the face of goal with the visitors now looking more threatening.

But on 63 the Blues went in front. Foley picked up a headed clearance and took it into the area on the left and found Pitman. The striker returned it to the midfielder, who played a low ball across to Pringle, who turned a shot past de Vries and into the net off the post to claim his second Town goal and his first at Portman Road.

The visitors looked to hit back and on 67 Mendes broke away on the right but hit his shot from too tight an angle and Bialkowski claimed with the ball having already gone out of play.

In the 69th minute Pitman forced de Vries to bat away a powerful strike from the right with the loose ball just evading Hyam.

Two minutes later, the former Bournemouth man saw another strike deflect into de Vries’s arms after the Blues had cut out a Forest counter-attack and launched a break of their own.

On 73 Hyam and Oliveira clashed as they tussled for the ball, provoking a brief melee on halfway. Referee Woolmer booked both main protagonists.

Maitland-Niles shot over from distance, before Forest made a 77th minute triple substitution with Jorge Grant, Deimantas Petravicius and Chris Cohen replacing Oliveira, Mendes and Bojan Jokic.

Four minutes after coming on Grant was booked for catching Foley with a high boot as the pair challenged for a bouncing ball in the Town area following a corner.

Town had held on to their lead with relative comfort as the game moved into four minutes of injury time in which Luke Varney replaced Pitman and then Paul Digby took over from goalscorer Pringle.

Forest tried to launch a late push for an equaliser in the closing couple of minutes but despite having a lot of the ball never seriously threatened a determined Blues backline and referee Woolmer’s whistle confirmed that the three points were Town’s.

After a first half in which Forest had the better chances, the Blues were much the better side after the break.

With no Murphy to hit early with high balls, Town were perhaps forced to keep the ball more than has been the case and dominated possession for long spells in the second half.

They worked hard to create an opening, which eventually came with the excellent Foley playing a vital role in making the chance for Pringle, who once again finished clinically when his chance came.

The result sees the Blues stay ninth in the table but now just a point off the top six - plus goal difference, although with a game in hand - with Sheffield Wednesday having lost 1-0 at home to Rotherham. Town next travel to bottom-placed Bolton on Tuesday.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Foley, Hyam, Bru (Maitland-Niles 46), Pringle (Digby, 90), Pitman (Varney 90), Sears. Unused: Gerken, Tabb, Dozzell, Touré.

Forest: De Vries, Lichaj, Mancienne, Mills (c), Jokic (Cohen 77), Mendes (Petravicius 77), Gardner, Vaughan, Osborn, Oliveira (Grant 77), Blackstock. Unused: Evtimov, Wilson, O'Grady, Tesche. Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire). Att: 20,658 (Forest: 1,088).

Photo: Action Images

WashbrookBlue added 18:42 - Mar 5 Let's hope we can be a bit more positive on here tonight. V encouraging first half (although bizarrely we could have found ourselves at least two behind) with all the midfield combining well with ball on floor, neat angles and interplay. Really liked how Foley was always available and demanding of the ball. Sears back in central role and running at the heart of defence or down channels was encouraging to. Second half more of a attritional struggle but we just did enough and Pringle took his goal really well under horrible pressure. Not quite sure how we have kept two clean sheets but they have stopped the rot and given us a platform to have a decent last quarter. Limitations and shortcomings are obvious and well documented ( too much repetition of the same points by the same people over and over on here) , less well developed is our ability to celebrate a win and give credit where it's due.

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1psw1ch added 18:55 - Mar 5 Another 1 nil win and well chuffed with it,,,great to see Sheffield Wednesday lose as well so all in all a great day at the office,,,doubted the signings of Foley and Pringle at first but looks like it was a crisp move for Ipswich ,,,,,👍 come on you super blues
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StochesStotasBlewe added 18:59 - Mar 5 Well deserved 3 points, nice to see the team keep the ball on the grass a lot more resulting in a win & no stiff neck. Bart once again kept us in it with 3 very good saves, our makeshift midfield worked very hard throughout with Sears a threat through the centre. All we lacked I thought was some Fraser type pace out wide, but overall much happier with our performance. Well done all.

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StowTractorBoy added 19:14 - Mar 5 Three hard earned points which did not look on the cards in the early exchanges of the game. Forest looked quite useful in those exchanges but Bart excelled to keep a well deserved clean sheet and gave us the base to go on and win the match. The back four looked a little more solid than of late after the early Forest pressure with Berra outstanding. Chambers gave a good display against his old Club and Sears without getting the breaks, was a livewire up front where he should be. Pringle is getting stronger with each game he plays and how valuable will his goals be come the end of the season. I don't think Foley wasted a pass all afternoon and had an excellent match and was the pick of the outfield players. A very satisfying afternoon at Portman Road. On to Bolton who we must not underestimate.

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sirmichealmills added 19:17 - Mar 5 "The Portman Road surface was a bobbly one and that nearly came to Sears' aid on 21 minutes when the ball teed itself up kindly for him 25 yards out. His dipping strike stayed within comfortable range for de Vries" Read more at http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/article/ipswich-v-forest-match-report-24 Lol, straw clutching journalist who writes for them!!
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gippeswyk added 19:22 - Mar 5 Nice to see the optimists and true blues out again instead of the moaners calling for MM's head because we're not Barcelona. Considering how many injuries we have and new additions - Foley and Pringle - coming straight in at the business end of the season, I am so pleased to see Town play some of their best football for quite a while and achieve back to back wins, and clean sheets to boot, against strong teams. Sears and Pitman ran their defence ragged. I am a big fan of Murphy but must admit I like Freddie playing as a striker and the passing style was much more pleasing on the eye than hoofball to Murph. All to play for now as we're only point off 6th and a game in hand, which if we win, would put us within 3 points of 5th. The teams above us deserve to be there with the money in their squads. Town continue to punch above their weight and over achieve and we should be proud of such an honest and hard working bunch.

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KiwiTractor added 19:28 - Mar 5 Very pleased to wake up to another win and another clean sheet. Sounds like it was a much better performance than recent and nice to hear the ball was passed around on the carpet for a change. Bart in outstanding form and Foley and Pringle making a case to stay here longer. Would love to see Freddie back on the scoresheet, sure it won't be far away if MM plays him central again.....

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Dissboyitfc added 19:31 - Mar 5 Weevil... you say bart didnt have have much to do he kept us in the game with some very fine saves first half. Todays games proves you dont have to spend money to get a footballer to pass to his his team mates. This was such an improvement the ball being played on the deck with the midfield being very much instrumental in a decent game of football, last 10 was a bit hoofball, but for 80 mins so refreshing to watch, see it can be done football and 3 points. Foley and pringle looked very good, werent any poor players although anm was dodgy at times. Tonight i am a contented supporter of itfc, well done MM and tc, credit where its due really enjoyed today i think even the players enjoyed it....COYB

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osborne1nil added 19:41 - Mar 5 Much improved performance. Keeping the ball on the ground made a big difference to the game and with so much less hoof ball was a lot more enjoyable to watch. Thought that both Hyam and Foley played very well together and along with Pringle made the midfield much more effective today. Sears up front had a good game and MOM again IMO was Bart with some impressive saves. Well done Town and MM and keep this run going.

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Steelmonkey added 19:53 - Mar 5 With our options for hoof ball limited today, what a pleasure it was to see the ball passed on the grass. It wasn't that pretty and measured to watch at times, but how could it be having not played in that fashion for so long. Foley looked competant in the midfield role and showed he has something that our usual midfielders don't, the presense of mind to be able to organise the middle of the park. I think that was the best attacking midfielder performance that I have seen all season from a town player. Again for me Pringle impressed, great goal, but still lacking full fitness, tends to fade in the last twenty minutes. I've been critical of our style of play lately, this performance was not great, as someone has already said it was two mediocre championship sides out there today. But it does give me encoragement that we can improve even with the present squad. I hope that MM will give them more chancers to play like it, but I dare say it will be back to "normal" when injured players become available. At least today I didn't stand there in a form of a comatose state watching the ball being pumped around the park. Thanks Bart for keeping a clean sheet, MOM for me.

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Cloddyseedbed added 20:14 - Mar 5 At last a decent game of football, not spectacular but exceptable. That game proved we can play football on the deck and have most of the possession and win. Please adopt this method for the rest of the season please. Still think Murphy is a better number 9 than Pitman. I don't think Pitman is comfortable being the lead striker up front. I prefer a Murphy/Sears partnership. For me the difference today was Foley. Always wanting the ball and linking play with short passes that found the man. I also thought when AMN came on it was like playing with 10 men, what is up with him? He doesn't want to be involved it seems, I'd have preferred young Dozzel to come on in his place as I think he would have wanted to impress. Good result and a better performance. Does it warrant increasing the season ticket prices next year, to my mind no. For what we have had to put up with it shows utter contempt towards dedicated supporters!

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happybeingblue added 20:27 - Mar 5 well done to the team today ...we still in the mix :) Bart cemented his place.. shame we dont have similar competition for places in other key areas as seems to bring the best out of some players but think everyone deserves some credit tonight and maybe one or 2 saturday night drinkies :)
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markwill45 added 20:32 - Mar 5 Don't win too many games lads..... You will reduce the boo boys to tears. Surprisingly less comments when we win. Not surprising at all really. Believe COYB.
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oldegold added 20:32 - Mar 5 Very welcome 3 points and hopefully we can kick on from here but still think the quality of football offered up is woeful.We really are not a team that is comfortable on the ball, always sideway and backward passes and nobody running off the ball and creating chances. MM's style is not pleasing on the eye and when we come up against the quality teams we will be found wanting again.At times it looked like Forest were the superior team and overall looked more polished than us. The goalkeeper's shirt cannot be in doubt now..

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Lukeybluey added 20:42 - Mar 5 A good 3 points! Onto Bolton!
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VulpineBlue added 20:45 - Mar 5 It was so good to see a functional midfield today. Yes, it took them a few minutes to settle down, but once settled, as a unit, they were the best I've seen at PR for quite a long time. Foley was outstanding, Pringle is an excellent reader of the game and also supports Knudsen very well. Bru & Hyam good enough.With the exception of Skuse (for Hyam perhaps) this unit should pick itself for the next game. I agree with those who say that Murphy should start alongside Freddie- as a pair they just have a good understanding that Pitman doesn't quite have. Pitman usually scores when he is a sub, and the opposition backs are a bit weary. All in all an enjoyable game. No question that Bart was exceptional.

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81andallthat added 21:00 - Mar 5 British astronaut Tim Peake is said to be absolutely distraught at the wasted detour away from the IP postcode area today, after warning all on the ISS the danger of in coming missiles.. this of course may or may not be true!!
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ArnieM added 21:09 - Mar 5 what an absolute pleasure to see the real Ipswich Town finally make an appearance today. FOOTBALL!!! Foley was exceptional and Hyam provided the glue in front of the back four. If I was Mick I wouldn't be changing this team too much over the 3-4 games even if other players do return from injury.
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prebsa added 21:16 - Mar 5 Markwill45 are you essex57 in disguise. These so called boo boys are non existent. The same people posting tonight are the same people that always post! Why don't you Essex Derby and the other rose tinted Mick lovers go some place else. We played good football and got a good 3 points today especially with Wednesday loosing and all you have to do is dig at other supports. As Mick likes to say Foxtrot Oscar

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bonamassablue added 21:18 - Mar 5 Enjoyed the game, that was a much better performance. We pressed well when Forest had the ball and what a difference it makes when we keep possession instead of hoofing the long ball. Pringle gives us that extra dimension. He roamed freely and looks to make an attacking pass. Bart kept us in the game with some great saves at a time when Forest should have scored at least twice. Freddie looks so much more dangerous when he plays off the front man. Despite all the doom and gloom of recent weeks, we are only one point off the playoffs. Funny old game isn't it?

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grumpyoldman added 21:23 - Mar 5 Another nice win, and according to posts we actually played some good football. Why do people post on here and then make snide remarks about others, why can't they just post their thoughts and leave it. How are some saying you have to be an optimist to be a true blue, just because some do not like the style played recently does not make them any less a supporter than those happy with mediocrity.

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Crawfordsboot added 21:35 - Mar 5 Paulcooperisgod and his cronies with their relentless negativity about all things Town are conspicuous by their absence tonight! Love it!
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runaround added 21:37 - Mar 5 Couldn't go today but glad to see we won & have closed the gap on 6th to just a point with a game in hand. Sounds like we played more passing football too
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lightingblue added 21:54 - Mar 5 Ladies and gentlemen. I don't write on here that often. Why is it that when we lose or put in not such a good performance do we get around 100 comments running the mighty blues down. We get a decent win and get roughly about half that amount giving praise for mm and the team. And half of those comments when we win are people having digs at each other. Lets get behind the team give support and praise where it's due. In all defence to both mm and mr Evans I support them both. Big mick for whats his done up to now with his hands tied with the money his been given and who hs lost in the transfer. In defence to Marcus Evan, if it wasn't for him bank rolling/taking over our debt we may not even have a club to moan about or support etc. I also do apriciate that mr Evans has given money to previous managers and unfortunately not worked out fr whatever reasons, and me may have had by fingers burnt and since tried a different method. Please also don't forget his a buiness man and ultimately wants to make and protect his money.

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derby123 added 22:04 - Mar 5 Yet you prebsa find it acceptable to abuse fellow supporters by telling them to foxtrot oscar, just for sharing a different viewpoint. Funny that.
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