Troy Parrott’s first senior goal saw Paul Cook to his first win as Blues boss as Town defeated Plymouth Argyle 1-0 at Portman Road. The on-loan Tottenham striker seized on a poor Adam Lewis backpass in the fourth minute to grab the game's only goal with the three points seeing Town up into the final play-off place.

Parrott, Kayden Jackson and Alan Judge returned to the Blues’ starting line-up with James Norwood missing from the 18 and Jack Lankester and Teddy Bishop dropping to the bench.

Jackson, who was making his first start under Paul Cook, started as the lone striker in place of Norwood with Parrott behind him, while Judge was on the left.

Veteran midfielder Cole Skuse was back in the 18 for the first time this season following knee surgery.

Plymouth made one change with Lewis coming into the side for 18-goal top scorer Luke Jephcott, who was on the bench following an eight-game goalless streak, with Niall Ennis playing as a lone frontman. Former Blues loanee Conor Grant started for the visitors.

The game got under way with hail falling heavily and the wind blowing strongly. Within a minute Pilgrims keeper Mike Cooper saw a clearance which would probably normally have reached halfway stop and then drop midway inside his team’s half with Jackson securing possession before being fouled 25 yards out.

Judge took the free-kick and hit a well-struck and wind-assisted effort which Cooper did well to claw behind for a corner to his left.

But the Blues only had to wait until the fourth minute to go in front via Parrott’s first goal in senior football. The on-loan Tottenham man reacted quickly to intercept an awful Lewis backpass across his area from left-back towards Cooper and took it wide of the keeper before slotting home prior to a punch of the air which looked as much relief at finally finding the net as it was celebration.

Jackson did well to break away down the right on seven but Parrott’s effort from his cutback was blocked.

The Blues’ number nine should have made it 2-0 in the 10th minute when James Wilson played a deftly weighted ball over the top of the Plymouth backline beating their offside trap. However, Cooper was out quickly and blocked Jackson’s lobbed effort at goal.

Town had been completely dominant in the early stages with the conditions in their favour but playing confidently and at pace, while Plymouth had looked distinctly shaky and unsure of themselves.

The hail subsided as the game passed the quarter-hour mark, although the wind remained something of a factor, with Plymouth making it out of their own half more than had been the case earlier.

But the Blues were still seeing most of the ball, passing it around slickly and at a greater tempo than has been the case for much of the season.

As the half hour mark approached, the Pilgrims had a spell of possession which ended with Grant hitting a low shot wide.

But the Blues quickly regained control, seeing most of the ball and usually quickly winning it back when it had been lost. However, without creating clear-cut opportunities with too many crosses easy for Cooper.

On 34 Parrott hit a shot against Kellard Watts from inside the box following a strong run and through ball from Downes, who suffered a knock as he was doing so and following treatment on the pitch was replaced by Bishop.

Three minutes later, Lewis almost atoned for his earlier error when his cross from the left wasn’t too far away from Ennis.

The visitors thought they’d missed a golden chance to level in the 43rd minute when Lewis found Panutche Camara unmarked in the middle with another decent ball from the left. Camara smashed well wide when it looked easier to score and was probably relieved when he saw the linesman’s flag had been raised.

Town were well worth their lead at the break and should have been in front by more goals - Jackson will feel he ought to have taken his one-on-one opportunity - with Plymouth having looked there for the taking in the early stages as they struggled to adjust to the conditions and the Blues’ front-foot start.

However, later on the half, while Town had still seen a lot of the ball, the Pilgrims had come into it more and more and had looked dangerous in the final third with Lewis having sent in a couple of threatening crosses from the left.

Myles Kenlock struck the first shot of the second half, five minutes after the restart but his powerful effort from wide on the left flew high and wide.

Town should have doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when Dozzell sent Jackson away on the right and the striker cut the ball back for Judge, who blazed over. The Irishman will feel he definitely should have scored.

Plymouth were seeing most of the ball with Town’s main threat on the counter-attack. As the game reached the hour mark, Parrott sent Jackson away on the right and the striker held the ball up well as he waited for Judge and Bishop to break into the area, but as they arrived put his pass well in front of both his team-mates. A wasted opportunity.

Both sides made subs in the 64th minute, the Pilgrims swapping Ennis and Lewis for strike pair Ryan Hardie and Jephcott, while the Blues switched Parrott and Jackson for Skuse, making his first appearance since March 7th last year, and Drinan. Bishop moved into the number 10 role behind Drinan with Skuse joining Dozzell in the centre of the midfield.

Plymouth continued to take the game to Town and in the 71st minute Tomas Holy was forced into his first save of the game, Lewis Macleod hitting a well-struck shot from 30 yards straight into the Czech’s midriff.

In the 77th minute Drinan played a clever ball to Judge from the right to the left as the Blues broke. The midfielder took it to the edge of the box but his shot was blocked by Will Aimson.

There was a big scare for Town a minute later when Watts crossed from the left and Camara, who had caused the Blues’ defenders a few problems, rose highest but diverted his header just the wrong side of the far post.

Both sides made their second double substitutions of the game in the 82nd minute, Town withdrawing Judge and Edwards for Lankester and Keanan Bennetts, operating on the left and right respectively. Plymouth replaced Grant and Macleod with Ben Reeves and Byron Moore.

The Blues had regained control as the game entered its final few scheduled minutes, Drinan and Lankester exchanging passes in the area before the Irishman was dispossessed when one of them ought to have looked goalwards earlier.

In injury time, Bennetts was sent away on the left but his ball towards Bishop at the back post was, like so many of Town’s crosses, disappointing.

The second half had been a more even affair but with the Blues still having had chances to cement their victory with Judge in particular missing a golden opportunity.

Plymouth might have nabbed an equaliser via Camara’s late header but a draw would have been harsh on the Blues overall.

A first win for new boss Cook takes the Blues above Portsmouth, who they face at Fratton Park next Saturday, with Pompey in Papa John’s Trophy action today. The Blues travel to Fleetwood, who drew 0-0 at Blackpool today. on Tuesday evening.

Town: Holy, Chambers (c), Nsiala, Wilson, Kenlock, Downes (Bishop 37), Dozzell, Edwards (Lankester 82), Judge (Bennetts 82), Parrott (Skuse 64), Jackson (Drinan 64). Unused: Cornell, Ward.

Plymouth: Cooper, Watts, Aimson, Edwards (c), Mayor, Grant (Reeves 82), Macleod (Moore 82), Ennis (Hardie 64), Lewis (Jephcott 64), Opoku, Camara. Unused: McCormick, Fornah, Tomlinson. Referee: Sam Purkiss (London).

Photo: Matchday Images

blueboy1981 added 17:38 - Mar 13 A Win is a Win - grateful for that. PC must now be seeing that certain players, particularly Bishop and Dozzell are just not consistent or creative enough. Without a creative midfield adequate service for front players, whoever they may be, will not produce enough goals to win matches. The midfield is our achilles heal for sure. It's a glaring area of failure currently - and must be sorted. Some of our so called ‘stars' are not up to the standard they believe they are - this League and season are proving that.

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heathen66 added 17:44 - Mar 13 What is all the negative comments on Myles Kenlock How is it that he is criticised, for stopping at least 3 clear cut chances, drove us forward on many occasions and linked well with the forwards and midfield, where as our other full back allowed cross after cross after cross, and either rolled the ball back to Nsiala, or hoofed long to a white shirt. Also those that do not make mistakes, generally don't do a lot to make mistakes from !!! Myles is one of our own, and tries 100% every game. You don't see him strolling about expecting others to do the work for him. Since he replaced the ineffective Ward he has been outstanding, as was as good as nay Town player today !!!

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Bert added 17:46 - Mar 13 Always pleased to get three points and delighted to get into a play off spot. Just hope that Norwood will be ok for the Portsmouth game because today showed that we don't have a finisher in the side. Can that be coached or is it a lack of inherent skill ? Whatever it is Cook will know that we cannot keep riding our luck. Hopefully, a striker or two is on his wish list for next year. For now, with most games against mid table or bottom six we should consolidate a play off place. From 12th to 6th in a month !

5

tetchris added 17:48 - Mar 13 Worst goals difference in the top six. We just don't create or score enough goals. If we do get promoted through the play offs then we are gonna need a couple of good strikers and they cost money.
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therein61 added 17:48 - Mar 13 First 3 points for the new regime and we are in a good position for the run in for what will with hope be a top 6 finish(2nd with luck is not impossible as long as we score more and put the game to bed) so onwards and upwards.
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GatesofDelirium added 17:52 - Mar 13 Heathen66 - we must have been watching different games! I'll Give Kenlock credit for covering Wilson on three first half crosses but I lost count how many times he gave the ball away. Certainly his distribution was not up to his recent high standard today. Let's hope they all play better at Fleetwood on Tuesday.
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blueboy1981 added 17:54 - Mar 13 Paul Cook is a breath of fresh air for our Club - and will prove his capability. I feel we have a ‘real ITFC Manager' at long last. Onwards and Upwards.
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Linkboy13 added 17:57 - Mar 13 Yes agree blueboy1981 We've got so many players so called players with potential but they never produce. Downes injury could scupper our play off chances and Skuse is now vital to our chances. Bishop for me hasn't lived up to his early promise and is a bit of a luxury. Ive been very critical of Andre Dozzell but today he showed improvement. But to be realistic we are miles off being a championship side and this might be at the back of some of the players minds.

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chepstowblue added 17:59 - Mar 13 Can you imagine the vitriolic comments we'd be reading if Lambert had brought Skuse on to a pitch which already contained Chambers ?! I guess Cook gets away with it for now. A fabulous day of results for us and its beyond belief that we are currently in the top 6, having played well on probably no more than 5 occasions all season. I still think we'll miss out, but in a division full of dross who knows.

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johnwarksshorts added 18:04 - Mar 13 I put us down for a 3 0 win today and that's what the scoreline should have been after first 20mins. We slowly let Plymouth get back into the game and for large parts of the game they were in control which is borne out by the stats, however all that said I thought we dealt with anything Plymouth had to offer. We missed Downes when he went off. But onwards and hopefully upwards. COYB!

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heathen66 added 18:04 - Mar 13 GatesofDelirium, They were 3 goal saving contributions and what defenders are paid to do. When in posession, perhaps Myles should just roll the ball back to a CB to hoof forward instead of taking responsibility trying to get the ball down and play football. I am not saying he was faultless, but contributed more than most. If more players showed his commitment and application we may have won by more than 1-0 instead of expecting others to take the risk and responsibility. I am just concerned that he is being picked out for criticism which in my opinion is unjust !!!

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mib added 18:12 - Mar 13 Papas, Totally agree, I have said for ages that it wasnt Lambert but the the players. I stand by that, players just not good enough and dont take any sort of responsibility. As soon as they cross that white line they have to step up, the trouble is they dont. Get shot of a lot of them in the summer.
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blueboy1981 added 18:20 - Mar 13 Suspect players that knew they would get their chance with Lamberts deluded rotation system and idea, will now find they step up - or step out. Long overdue I feel. We've been too easy a touch for some on the payroll - this game is all about WINNERS and WINNING - as should be our Club, and everyone employed by it.
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JewellintheTown added 18:23 - Mar 13 Nice to have the win, but deeply concerned our own strikers can't score more. Should be banging them in for fun at this level as they'll be terrible at Championship if not. Goal difference is appalling vs teams above & around us. Hope Paul can build confidence in some of them very soon or that goal difference will let us down in the end.
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GatesofDelirium added 18:29 - Mar 13 Heathen66 - there weren't many stand out players on the pitch but I though Camara played quite well for Plymouth even though he missed a free header from 8 yards with ten minutes to go. In the first half he out-muscled Kenlock and picked his pocket a couple of times. Now you could argue Kenlock had a much tougher assignment than Chambers on the other side and I would agree with you that Kenlock is one of our own and our first choice left back, he certainly gets forward more in open play than Chambers does but today I thought wasn't one of his better games. All players have off days. It's better to have one when we get the three points!

3

Orraman added 18:35 - Mar 13 Very happy with another win and delighted to see Cole Skuse back in action. He is going to be so important to us in the run in. My only negative tonight is....What is the point of persisting in giving Bennetts game time? I've seen some shocking excuses for wingers in my long time watching football but he is right up there with the worst
3

dirtydingusmagee added 18:39 - Mar 13 looked like we were about to dish it out today,first 15 20 mins we were blazing, but then faded quite markedly,allowing Plymouth to cause us a few worries, I was glad to hear the whistle . Pleased to get the points and for PC to get the win under his belt,but we are not anywhere good enough imo, We really are weak up front lack of goals has being a problem for past 3 seasons, and GD could be crucial, We really do need at least one decent striker. Norwood causes problems when he plays but he isnt great and he is a part timer . That said its nice to sit here on a Saturday night after a win and in playoff position ,

9

ThaiBlue added 18:40 - Mar 13 Scoring goals could cost us this season and we were lucky to get 3pts as plymouth had chances to nick easily a point.3pts we move forward to fleetwood a very tough match.COYB
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Dear_oh_Dear added 18:44 - Mar 13 We do need finishers. None of our frontline are comfortable in front of goal
2

EssexTractor added 18:48 - Mar 13 So into a Playoff position ..that's pleasing.. But... The simple truth is that the individual and collective form over last two seasons have made us a very mediocre League One team...in a a very mediocre League. Having listened to Paul Cook it is obvious he has too many “ players”..-and wherever we are in August there will be a turnover of playing staff..there has to be.. I have defended Chambers but today was example his gas has run out ..Kenlock needs to be coached ..he has ability / already is better than Ward( he needs to be released) but Myles style is very odd..he needs to be more confident going forward ..he can get there but positionally can tie himself up in knots I wondered why we bought Wilson but since he returned to the team he has been most consistent player..and I do like it when he suddenly bursts forward...as for Toto many would have waved good bye sometime ago ..but oh my today he was the best player..( obviously he didn't have to be brilliant to be that but he was good) Midfield ..how many of us have said for years our demise has very much been because the lack of real talent .we have .little pace..little bodily strength..little if any defence splitting passes..yes in his 25 minutes Downes looked better..but sadly I have to say that Bishop is so overrated ..and much as I like the disguised passes of Andre when did he make a goal from incisive midfield play Judge ..where was he today ..I saw him sky a real goal scoring chance..that's all I saw of him.. Edwards if given better passes down the line has the pace but he fades out of games and then puts in niggly tackles...Parrot a bit marmite ...glad he scored but he won't be here next season ..Jackson ..again should have scored but he has been sidelined for so long may be forgiven ..but aside from that how often was he in the game? Skues was on the field ..replay the match ..I am unsure he touched it..Bennett's flatters to deceive and he won't be here next season ..Drinan has limited ability but he did try and showed a few moments that brought on a smile.. Lankester again did little in his time ..his real position needs to be discovered Cook seems a good guy , plenty of experience at this level and will “ cull” We have to be honest ..we do not want to be in League One but if by same odd sequence of results we do go up ...much much work needs to be done to be a Proper Championship Club..

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ringwoodblue added 19:16 - Mar 13 Still not happy with the team selection or subs but somehow we are in the play-off places. Let's hope things continue to improve and we can stay in the top six. Pleased Cook has his first win but he has much to do to get us scoring goals and winning more convincingly.
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Nobbysnuts added 19:22 - Mar 13 Sorry but I'm just not convinced at these stuttering, misfiring, sluggish performances.... skuse??? Really???
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Linkboy13 added 20:16 - Mar 13 I sense the out numpties are sharpening their knives.
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moggasnotebook added 20:43 - Mar 13 Staying in the play of spots next few weeks and then entering the play offs with MOMENTUM...... Where is Huws? He should be bossing games at this level. What we would give for someone to grab a game by the scruff of the neck the way Magilton could. What's actually stopping one of our own doing that? Or is the English game so disciplined and regimented nowadays that no one has the freedom or dare to do that?

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Bluearmy_81 added 20:58 - Mar 13 I really liked the high press from the off. That's how we should always be looking to play in league 1, off the front foot, looking to dominate. We are Ipswich Town, we are huge compared to the majority of this league and we should act like it...
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