Will Keane’s first Blues goal saw Town to a vital 1-0 home victory over Rotherham United at Portman Road. Town, who are now seven points plus goal difference from safety, were on top in the first half and Keane put them ahead from close range on 31. However, the Millers dominated the second period and the Blues were forced to defend resolutely throughout to claim the three points and only their third clean sheet of the season.

New signings Collin Quaner and James Collins were handed their Blues debuts and Keane and Callum Elder their Town league bows and their first appearances at Portman Road having played at Accrington last week.

Collins joined skipper Luke Chambers at the centre of the defence with Pennington at right-back and Elder on the left.

Cole Skuse was back after his knee injury with Trevoh Chalobah at the heart of a four-man midfield.

Jack Lankester was on the right with Freddie Sears on the left, while Keane started behind Quaner up front.

Emyr Huws returned to the bench having been out for 13 months alongside Town’s fifth new signing Simon Dawkins. For Rotherham, ex-Blues keeper Lewis Price was on the bench.

Town had most of the ball in the early stages but without creating a serious chance. On 10 captain Chambers took what looked a nasty fall over the perimeter wall into the stand having seen the ball out of play ahead of Millers’ striker Michael Smith but was quickly back on the pitch.

Visitors’ defender Zak Vyner was shown the game’s first yellow card in the 13th minute for shoving Sears. The Millers struggled to clear the ball from the resultant freekick but the set piece ultimately came to nothing.

Town similarly took their time to clear a Rotherham set play on 18 but eventually broke quickly with Chalobah finding Keane on the left with a cross-field pass.

The on-loan Hull City man laid the ball back to Skuse, who struck a shot which deflected off one Millers player onto another’s arm. Referee James Linington waved away the Blues’ ambitious appeals for a penalty.

Lambert’s much-changed Town increasingly dominated but without being able to carve out a chance until the 31st minute when they took the lead.

Keane fed Sears wide on the left and the ex-West Ham man crossed back towards the one-time Manchester United trainee six yards out. The ball got away with him from his first touch but it came back to him off a defender and having taken a touch he lashed his first Blues goal into the net before celebrating in front of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

The game was subsequently held up for a long spell as Smith and Chambers, presumably due to his early tumble over the fence, underwent treatment. Soon after play had restarted, Rotherham’s on-loan Norwich defender Sean Raggett was replaced by Ryan Williams.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 43rd minute when Collins headed an Anthony Forde freekick from deep on the right against former Blues trialist Semi Ajayi and the ball looped wide.

A minute later at the other end, Sears hooked a shot over from a tight angle in the aftermath of a Lankester corner on the left.

Rotherham ended the half strongly, Joe Mattock hitting an effort from distance which Blues keeper Dean Gerken saw past his left post.

During three minutes of injury time Skuse was booked for a foul on Williams inside the centre circle.

Just before the end of the half, Taylor half-volleyed over from Forde’s cross when he will feel he ought to have found the target.

Not long after, the half-time whistle was greeted by applause and cheers from the Portman Road support after an entertaining period with Town deserving to go in ahead.

The new look Blues had certainly looked to have more potential going forward than they had prior to the transfer window opening with Quaner adding a significant physical presence and Keane bright and inventive on the ball.

However, up until the goal, which Keane tucked away clinically at the second attempt, they had been unable to carve out a chance.

They had moved the ball around confidently, although while also showing some raggedness at times, perhaps inevitably given the number of changes to the team.

At the other end Collins had added composure and assurance on the ball to the backline. Rotherham failed to register a shot on target, although they had one or two occasions when they might have made more of openings inside the box.

Neither side made a change at the break and Rotherham had the better of the opening minutes, Gerken saving Smith’s long distance effort in the 50th minute down to his right.

The Blues keeper was in action again on 53, diving to the same side to keep out a 30-yard effort from Millers skipper Will Vaulks after the ball had been tapped to him from a freekick.

Town had failed to get going after the break and there was a big scare in the 59th minute when Jon Taylor chased a Williams ball down the middle and appeared to nod it out of Gerken’s hands as the keeper claimed. However, neither the linesman or referee signalled until the Millers midfielder had taken it out of play.

Rotherham were putting the Blues under more and more pressure with Town unable to get on the ball.

The South Yorkshiremen ought to have levelled on the hour but Smith, the scorer of the only goal when the sides met at the New York Stadium in August, headed Forde’s cross over when he will feel he should have hit the target. On 63 Smith shot over from distance.

Town swapped debutant Quaner, who had put in a hard-working and combative debut in front of his new fans and his hometown supporters visiting from Fortuna Düsseldorf, for Flynn Downes who joined the midfield.

In the 67th minute Sears was booked for kicking the ball away as the Millers prepared to take a freekick, then three minutes later Jerry Yates took over from Forde for the visitors.

Rotherham continued to have the better of it but with the pressure having been relieved somewhat. However, on 71 Taylor was just unable to reach Vaulks’s cross in from the right.

Lankester almost carved out a chance for Keane with a clever pass on 72 but with the loanee having strayed offside. A minute later the 18-year-old was replaced by another debutant Dawkins.

Town threatened for the first time in the second half in the 79th minute. Chalobah beat his man down the right and brought the ball into the Rotherham half before feeding Sears. The former Colchester United striker tried to turn the ball on to Keane breaking on the left but Taylor was able to deflect it back to Millers keeper Marek Rodak.

But the Millers were still well on top with the Blues’ defence by far the busier as the game moved into its final 10 minutes. However, they were remaining resolute, despite referee Linington having awarded a number of generous freekicks to the visitors.

On 85 Vaulks hit a low shot from distance which Gerken claimed confidently down to his right. A minute later, Williams sent across a low ball from the right which was too far in front of his team-mates.

Rotherham continued to press, Vaulks long throw almost fell for Mattock but Gerken just got there and the danger was cleared.

Moments later Millers’ defender Vyner was replaced by Richard Wood, then in four minutes of injury time Toto Nsiala took over from Sears for Town.

Town just about kept out a mammoth goalmouth scramble with Collins, who along with Chambers and Pennington had been immense in the second half, mis-hitting against Gerken at one stage before eventually clearing a ball which seemed to ricochet around the Blues box for an age.

There was just one more generously awarded freekick for the Blues to defend before referee Linington blew his final whistle to a huge roar from the Town support, while Collins and Chambers both punched the air in front of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

The second half had been a gritty, backs to the wall defensive effort of a type which became familiar during Mick McCarthy’s time as Blues boss.

Time and again the ball was sent into the box by Rotherham but usually it was Collins, who put in as good a defensive debut performance as Portman Road has seen in a while, Chambers or Pennington getting their heads on it.

The second period was a great contrast to the first when the Blues had been on the front foot and for large parts in control. Town never really got going as an attacking unit after the break, with the number of players short on match fitness perhaps a factor.

However, the the three points were the main thing to take from today’s game and Town claimed them via only their third win of the season and their second at home.

The victory, which was being celebrated by the visiting Fortuna Düsseldorf fans long after the final whistle, sees them stay bottom but now a less daunting seven points from safety - plus goal difference - ahead of next week’s trip to Blackburn Rovers.

Town: Gerken, Pennington, Chambers (c), Collins, Elder, Skuse, Chalobah, Sears (Nsiala 90), Lankester (Dawkins 73), Keane, Quaner (Downes 65). Unused: Bialkowski, Harrison, Bishop, Huws.

Rotherham: Rodak, Vyner (Wood 89), Raggett (Williams 37), Robertson, Mattock, Ajayi, Forde (Yates 70), Vaulks, Wiles, Taylor, Smith. Unused: Price, Ihiekwe, Wood, Jones, Palmer. Referee: James Linington (Newport IoW). Att: 20,893 (Rotherham: 729).

Photo: TWTD

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:47 - Jan 12 Rotherham gave it a real go second half, but we hung on - just. Don't think we would have without Collins. I think we got very nervous. We just needed to calm things down, but we were so keen to perform that we lost all composure (2nd half). A lot of work to be done, but something to build on. Kudos to our German friends, and to the rest of rhe crowd. Even R'ham did well to bring around 700. It's not exactly a metropolis.

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AndrewPC added 17:55 - Jan 12 Massive result. Collins a Colossus at the back. Lambert now has "his" team and the Hurst signings - bar Nsiala on the bench - all invisible. But on 18 points with only 19 games to play, difficult to see us reach 46 points unless we can keep clean sheets like today and also find more goals through Keane and Quaner. Can Lambert shape this new team quickly and find results momentum ?

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Nobbysnuts added 17:58 - Jan 12 Not pretty. In fact a very fortunate win but I guess it's all about the results now and not the performance. Could of done without reading finding some form hence I still think we are going down. Good turn out by the home faithful it has to be said but nothing in that performance suggests to me we will beat the drop. Sorry but we all know it's just a stay of execution. âž•

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brendenward35 added 17:58 - Jan 12 First game I've been to for ages and what a game. Collins man of the match for me kept everything under control which we badly needed. A lot of work to do on fitness as midfield ran out of steam 2nd half. Think the ref needs to go to specsavers as some very weird free kicks to Rotterham 2nd half. Great crowd nice to see stands filling with blue and white. If we can sort the midfield out goals will come even Freddy looked tired today.

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ArnieM added 17:59 - Jan 12 COLLOSSIS COLLINS: What a monumental debt and did you see the passion from him at the end of the game infront of the SBR Stand.
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floridaboy added 17:59 - Jan 12 Ringwoodblue, if we can get Judge then send Dozzell out on loan to get game time and muscle up a bit. The rest of the season is going to be a massive slog and not sure the boy is up to that sort of fight. Would rather see Downes here than Dozzell. If the rumours of a transfer are correct then fine. Still not sure how that really nasty injury has affected him but he is a luxury at the moment IMHO

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TimmyH added 18:01 - Jan 12 I certainly believe we can build on this result defensively, Collins stays fit could be a big bonus not sure though what we can take away from this when we have the ball - the midfield was non-existent second half and still have big doubts creatively. Onwards and upwards!
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Treacle added 18:02 - Jan 12 Good debuts but especially Collins. Now let's get chasing them teams above us. We look stronger now, just need a bit more quality and composure in the middle. First game my boys have seen Tiwn win!
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floridaboy added 18:02 - Jan 12 ringwoodblue, Dozzell needs to go out on loan for the rest of the season unless he is sold of course. It is a slog from now on and not sure he is the sort of luxury player to get us out of the bottom of the table. Still not sure how that nasty injury has affected him If we can get Alan Judge then would rather see him in the side than Dozzell IMHO!
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blue75 added 18:03 - Jan 12 Really impressed 1st half should've scored more!! 2nd half we looked nerves & the new players started to fade. But we hung on & got our 1st hone win of the season closed the gap to Rotherham onwards & upwards today was all about the result!!
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Wishing4arightback added 18:05 - Jan 12 Collins immense at the back, and his organisational influence was obvious to see. Chambers had some weight taken from his shoulders and was more concentrating on his own game. Pennington showed what a difference having someone who can a really defend at right back makes to the team. Will Keane is only going to get better and big Collin is going to be s handful at this level. Gerken still worries me as he does not like to command his area at all. A big improvement in our resilience and hopefully with confidence and fitness we can add our football yo some evident passion. Chambers is the captain, but Collins was clearly the leader we have been missing!! COYB

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delias_cheesy_flaps added 18:10 - Jan 12 Great to get the 3 points, however..... For Rotherham to have 600% more attempts (18 shots v our 3) really does highlight how dismal we really are. A clean sheet is a plus and that's what we need from now until the end of the season to escape this sh!t we are in.
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DebsyAngel added 18:13 - Jan 12 Terrific first half - much needed muscle and going forward. Delighted with Will Keane's goal! Think all the new players did well. Collins was excellent. 2nd half very nerve wracking towards the end (where the hell did 5 mins extra time come from!) but what a relief to win! Men of the match for me were Chalobah and Lankester.
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therein61 added 18:14 - Jan 12 We got the 3 points that we needed and it is most welcome we have a long way to go and I don't think my old ticker(now in my 60th year as a town fan) could take much more of this, anyway well done you boys now start putting games to bed instead of the risk of putting half the crowd in hospital, I would like to add that the organisation that Collins brings to the table and make us safer at the back will spread confidence through the side!!

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cat added 18:17 - Jan 12 “Oh ye oh ye we're the tractor boys gonna make some noise......” Not a performance that will save our season but let's enjoy the win. Good crowd, good atmosphere, good new signings and three points in the bag. Penn was the stand out performer, threw his body on the line, let's hope we can build on the win. Enjoy your night!!
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jonju11 added 18:25 - Jan 12 Collins immense in 1st half but tired. Pennington answer to full back problems until end of season. Defence looks much better but now got to get some creativity into midfield. Too much panicking when in m/field, need some calmness, foot on ball & measured passes to strikers. Rotherham showed us the way in the 2d half. Great to have a nimble striker like Keane, looks just fine. Still looks as though we have a problem between the sticks!!

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Geddis78 added 18:26 - Jan 12 Brilliant crowd and atmosphere. Superb defending. Lots of fight and passion. Just short on quality. So pleased with the win but we have to be honest, Rotherham are a poor side and they dominated the second half. Let's hope the win brings some much needed confidence and we can maintain our decent first half performances for 90 minutes. COYB!
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planetblue_2011 added 18:26 - Jan 12 Yeeeeeessssss!! Well done for holding on town to the win, but boy you do make hard work of it. Well worth it in the end. Great atmosphere 👍🏻⚽️
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blueboy1981 added 18:28 - Jan 12 How can a team play so badly - and WIN ? - Could be a massive result though. Collins - enormous presence. Sears - wasted out wide, as we've seen before. As for the others - what can one say ?
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jeera added 18:33 - Jan 12 At all costs Ringwoodblue? Surely not at the risk of relegation. If Lambert has decided to bring in a few seasoned sorts for the fight, meaning the kids have to wait longer for their turn, then so be it. I hope we haven't seen the last of Dozzell Jr too, but not at all costs mate.
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budgieplucker added 18:53 - Jan 12 The most important thing was the result rather than the performance otherwise it would have been game over for Town if we had lost. Given the number of new signings it was unrealistic to expect a fluent performance, however, I still feel a sense of depression when we are battered at home for 45 minutes by the team we have to displace to stay in this league. Paul Warne doing a really good job with what is mainly a Division 1 side. My frustration other than the goal is that we still didn't make the goalkeeper or defence work hard enough. I would have felt far more positive if we had eeked out a 2-0 win and kept Rotherham at a comfortable arms length, but defending became quite desperate at times.. We somehow surrendered midfield in the second half and the forward players obviously suffering from not having trained much with the rest of the side. I don't want to single players out for criticism but Freddie who runs his heart out has to do better with the final ball in the second half break to an unmarked Will Keane which would have put the game well beyond doubt. Views on the new men:- I am not sure that Quaner can be considered a target man, very Frank Noublesque and has good strength. Keane moves well and did will for the goal. Elder can be content with a solid performance but struggled to get forward with the Rotherham pressure. Collins gave us a much needed strength of purpose within the back four and expect most will give him or Matt Pennington man of the match. Dawkins not on long enough to make any informed judgement, but struggled to get into the game. For me we lacked the ability to carry the ball from the midfield and very disappointed we didn't introduce Teddy Bishop who I think has done well recently in actually trying to make things happen.

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Kirbmeister added 19:01 - Jan 12 The back four all played well today especially Collins and Pennington. How many headers did Pennington win at the far post? I lost count. The midfield in the second half was completely invisible. How we didn't concede is beyond me.
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Dissboyitfc added 19:10 - Jan 12 leaving the new york stadium in august i was approached by some Millers fans who apologised for the Robbery that had just taken place, well i can honestly say i have no desire to apologise to them for that, we are desperate and we will take it> It was a really poor show from us football wise in the second half but we defended our slender lead and that is all that matters! Feel sorry for kenlock but Elder looks decent Collins gave us exactly what i thought he would and i like the look of Kean & Quaner,. Kean is very Murphy like IMO, Anyway 1 win and only 9 more wins needed from 19 cup finals!

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Saxonblue74 added 19:27 - Jan 12 On a slightly different note, nearly 21,000 at PR today for a team bottom of the league is incredible support. When is the game of football going to wake up and offer fans value for money on a regular basis to fill empty stadia and bring atmosphere back to the game? Reduced prices at the turnstiles clearly works and ultimately costs clubs nothing in lost revenue. Stick with this promotion until the end of the season town and you have yourselves a 12th man.

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blue86 added 19:37 - Jan 12 first things first, i am just bloody relieved we won! also great to see a few more in portman road today, we are going to need all the support we can get. as some people have already said, collins was absolute class and could help make the difference. my heart says we can survive, but my head says we wont. we just need to keep it up, wasnt the best performance by any stretch. nice to have that winning feeling on a saturday again though! oh and one final thing the ref AGAIN had a stinker! where do they get these refs from? coyb

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