Nathan Broadhead, Kayden Jackson and Kyle Edwards were on target as the Blues comfortably beat Accrington Stanley 3-0 at Portman Road, the visitors ending the game with 10 men following keeper Lukas Jensen’s late dismissal. Broadhead saw Town on their way to their fourth win in a row with the opener on 12, Jackson made it 2-0 on 56, before sub Edwards curled in an injury time free-kick after Jensen had upended Harry Clarke and been sent off.

Town made two changes from the team which beat Burton Albion 4-0 at the weekend with former Accrington men Jackson and Janoi Donacien both coming into the XI.

Jackson started wide on the right with Wes Burns on the bench, while Donacien took over from Clarke, who was also among the subs, behind him.

Stanley made two changes from the team which beat Forest Green at the weekend with Dan Martin and Anthony Mancini coming into the side for Sean McConville, who earlier in the afternoon had been banned for two matches and fined £750 for abusive and insulting language to a match official following the recent Papa Johns Trophy semi-final tie against Bolton Wanderers, and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, who was one of only six players on the bench.

There were scruffy moments from both sides in the early stages and on eight, Conor Chaplin hooked a ball down the right for Jackson to chase and visitors’ keeper Jensen hit his clearance against the Blues wideman, the ball looping well away from goal.

And four minutes later, Town took the lead. Massimo Luongo exchanged passes with Broadhead in the centre circle before playing a superb ball in behind Accrington’s high line to Jackson on the right.

The forward cut back inch perfectly to Broadhead, who turned his fourth goal in four home games into the net from close range, the goal almost a carbon copy of the one he scored on Saturday.

On 14, Anthony Mancini struck Stanley’s first effort of the game from a free-kick but Christian Walton comfortably saved down to his left.

Town still weren’t at their fluent best, but in the 20th minute Donacien won the ball when sliding in on Rosaire Longelo deep in his own half, then came off best in a second challenge on the right, this time with Mo Sangare, before continuing down the flank and crossing for Ladapo, who flicked a header which Jensen caught above his head.

Accrington were forced into a substitution in the 23rd minute when Longelo was replaced by Jack Nolan having suffered a knock in the tackle with Donacien. A minute later, Ladapo shot low through to Jensen from the edge of the area.

Just after the half hour, Chaplin fed in Jackson, who had been Town’s main threat, but this time his cross for Ladapo was cut out.

In the 33rd minute, Chaplin drove forward before slipping a pass to Ladapo who poked towards goal but Jensen was able to save.

Town weren’t having it all their own way, however, and on 37 there was an uncomfortable moment for Walton when he collided with Town’s third ex-Stanley man, Cameron Burgess, as he punched away a free-kick from deep but the Blues keeper had got enough on it.

Burgess became the first Town player to get his name in the book in the 43rd minute for a foul on Mancini, which looked harsh.

As the game moved into three minutes of injury time, Accrington seriously threatened for the first time, Walton tipping over from Aaron Pressley after Mancini had fed him having got away from Woolfenden on the left, then from the resultant corner Mitch Clark hit a strike from distance which the Blues keeper claimed.

Town twice came close to adding to their lead in the remaining moments, Leif Davis sending over a brilliant cross from the left which Harvey Rodgers somehow diverted away from Ladapo with the striker appearing certain to score from a few yards out.

Moments later, the Blues did have the ball in the net for a second time, Chaplin stroking home what would have been his 20th goal of the season from Jackson’s low ball but with the linesman’s flag raised.

Town were worthy of their lead at the break despite not always having been at their best. Jackson’s pace running in behind the Accrington defence on the right had been the Blues’ main threat and might well have led to more than just Broadhead’s excellent goal.

Accrington had caused Town a few more problems than most recent opposition but with their late shots their only real chances.

Chaplin struck the second half’s first effort in the 48th minute but the ball skewed wide off the side of his foot from Jackson’s knockdown.

On 50, Ladapo claimed a penalty having been manhandled to the ground by Rodgers behind him but referee Lee Swabey wasn’t interested. Moments later, Morsy’s low strike was blocked.

The Blues were starting the half very positively and in the 54th minute a Davis corner from the left fell to Chaplin but the top scorer’s shot deflected into the air and into Jensen’s arms.

However, a minute later, it was 2-0. Broadhead tricked his way past Baba Fernandes on the left and took the ball along the byline before cutting back to Luongo, whose effort was deflected onto the bar off Sangare. However, the ball fell loose to former Stanley striker Jackson, who slammed into the net, his fourth goal of the season.

Just after the hour mark, the visitors swapped Rodgers, Mancini and Seb Quirk for Butler-Oyedeji, Korede Adedoyin and Doug Tharme, while Town replaced Broadhead, his job done having scored one and assisted one, and Luongo, again impressive in central midfield, with Marcus Harness and Cameron Humphreys.

In the 64th minute, Jackson burst away down the right and crossed. The ball was behind Ladapo but reached Davis, who shot wide when he will feel he should have scored.

Five minutes later, a low Davis corner from the left once again found Chaplin unmarked but the forward’s shot was blocked. On 73, Town switched Ladapo and Davis for George Hirst and Clarke.

Harness flicked over at the near post from a Humphreys corner two minutes later with the Blues comfortable and looking likely to add to their goals.

On 81, Clarke was sent away on the left by Humphreys and played inside to Harness, whose shot deflected over.

In the aftermath of the corner, there was a scare for Accrington when Walton returned Jensen’s long throw from inside the Town half and Chaplin read the offside line but shot straight at the Stanley keeper. With six minutes left, Town swapped Chaplin for Kyle Edwards.

Accrington spent a spell camped in the Blues’ half but without creating a chance, then in the first of five minutes of additional time, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when keeper Jensen was dismissed.

Edwards played in Clarke on the left and the recent signing from Arsenal raced towards the area, beating Jensen to the ball before being upended by the Accrington number one just outside the box.

Referee Swabey immediately showed his red card and, after a lengthy wait, Accrington swapped forward Pressley for sub keeper Liam Isherwood, who almost immediately had to pick the ball out of the net.

Blues sub Edwards took the free-kick and sent it into the top corner to Isherwood’s right to seal another comfortable home win.

Town were well worth their fourth victory in a row - while their fifth clean sheet on the bounce rarely looked in doubt - and might well have scored more during a second half they dominated aside from Stanley’s late spell.

Jackson deserved his goal against his old club, while Edwards curled in an excellent late free-kick, although Clarke - who as on Saturday replicated former skipper Luke Chambers’s celebratory fist-pump in front of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand - will feel he would have scored his first goal for the club but for Jensen’s wild challenge.

Town, who remain third, still five points behind Plymouth who came from behind to beat Derby 2-1, are next in action on Saturday at Bolton, who weren’t in action this evening and are now fifth, six points behind the Blues and level with Barnsley, who are now up to fourth.

Town: Walton, Donacien, Woolfenden, Burgess, Jackson, Morsy (c), Luongo (Humphreys 63), Davis (Clarke 73), Chaplin (Edwards 84), Broadhead (Harness 63), Ladapo (Hirst 73). Unused: Hladky, Burns.

Accrington: Jensen, Clark, Longelo (Nolan 23), Sangare, Rodgers (Butler-Oyediji 63), Pressley (Isherwood 90), Martin, Mancini (Adedoyin 62), Quirk (Tharme 63), Conneely (c), Fernandes. Subs: Adekoya. Referee: Lee Swabey (Devon). Att: 22,413 (Accrington: 59).

Photo: Matchday Images

bobble added 06:47 - Mar 8 we are clearly a better team this year than last, obviously we just needed another aussie in the team...
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Saxonblue74 added 06:51 - Mar 8 I'm not sure some of our fans are understanding our style of play and the reasoning behind it. In another article Mckenna talks of the "bravery" from Walton and our defence. Yes, it may be a bit "squeaky bum" at times but even immediately after a shaky moment they build again in the exact same manner. The spaces we find up front are a direct result of this, with our opener last night offering the best example of it. It may look slow and ponderous at times but generally is effective when played well.

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churchmans added 06:54 - Mar 8 Great work! Now the real work and countdown starts saturday
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Saxonblue74 added 06:55 - Mar 8 Disappointing number of posts again after a 3-0 win, similar from Saturdays 4-0. I'll bet Robsonwark was sharpening his pencil when he saw Jackson in the starting line up! Must be disappointing to see such a good performance from him?
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grinch added 07:18 - Mar 8 Donacian and Jackson more effective than Burns and Clake IMO should start Sat. Harness very poor as wad Humphreys tge inly negatives tonight bring in Aluko to bench
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itfckenty added 08:07 - Mar 8 Good solid game, I've definitely seen us perform better, but some of the play work was solid which I know that's McK's aim here for us. Playing from the back and up the pitch. Standout players for me was definitely Luongo and Jackson. I know Jackson isnt a top scorer and never will be, but he definitely can cause issues against the right team. Luongo, well.. that ball for the goal was just class. Onto Bolton COYB.

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dirtydingusmagee added 08:10 - Mar 8 firstly a vital 3 points even though Plymouth spoiled the party. So thankful for that, .However we were not near as convincing last night imo .A number of players were not on their game. I dont criticise officials as a rule [regardless as to if we lose or not] but last night they were very, very poor imo .. It will take a much better performance over next 3 games to keep us in with top two ,so hopefully everyone will up their game. WE ARE STILL HANGING IN , so COYB . lets do it this season and get out of this p#xy league .

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Help added 08:17 - Mar 8 So, an early goal needed and relatively got. This meant the game had to open up a bit more. Yes, Stanley created but teams will whatever style they play. It is the strong defence and movement forward that means we are creating chances. The ball whether over the top or along the floor for players to run onto, is what we were missing in games previously. Turning defenders getting them running back to their own goal, with sweeping passes into the box for our own incoming players to sweep into the goal is currently working so well. How many of our players can score from free kicks, I think that means Evans is not doing them anymore. Interesting corners along the floor which I thought were poor corners, but now look like training ground corners. Massimo does add another dimension, chappers not got into the game as much as previous games, broadhead getting stronger every game. Donacien nice to see him back. His strong tackles and run down the wing in the first half. Walton had a couple of mares tonight with his kicking. Needed that second goal before half time, which did not come, but got the early 2nd in second half. Then a top free kick for the third. Tough game coming up, hope some of those fighting for survival do a job on the two above us, whilst we get some results from the 3 of 4 tough games coming up.

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blueboy1981 added 09:01 - Mar 8 Gforce …. Great realistic post (unlike some) - many will not want know such facts, or even have been aware of such ! As you rightly post ‘something really Special' needs to be produced by us now, to have any chance of a Top Two finishing position. And as I predict, equally and almost certain is the fact the Play Off's are realistically the best that can now be achieved. Mark me down ‘Hissy Fitters' and those continually in denial of Reality. Here's to the next 5 Games … which we need to be WINS … !!!

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Linkboy13 added 09:07 - Mar 8 Not at our best but still won comfortably is always a good sign. Our passing at times was a bit sloppy and if we had produced the performance we did against Burton who were a far superior team to Accrington we would have won by five or six. The midfield now looks very strong and solid and is making Wolfenden and Burgess job much easier. Jackson although not having the all round ability of Burns did a fine job. Clarke and Donasien have given McKenna a nice headache i think Clarke is possibly the better defender especially when the ball is crossed into the box.

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Saxonblue74 added 10:18 - Mar 8 Agree that we didn't look as impressive, but I think some credit has to go to AS . Despite their apparent lack of quality they did press higher and gave us little time on the ball. Evidence of gamesmanship (time wasting) prior to us taking the lead, then we forced their hand into a different game with our first goal.
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:25 - Mar 8 CRUNCH FIXTURES coming up for top clubs now, could be a shake up. I know a lot of people inc myself took stick earlier in our poor patch for saying it could cost us dear, we were told we were'nt supporters ect , and that there were plenty of games to play, but we are now in a serious fight to get into auto, and having to rely on Plymouth falling at the last fence, ALL GAMES ARE important , as is goal difference, thankfully we have had three good wins and our GD could be vital in the end We are well placed but have no room for slip ups now.it could have and should have been different. CONCISTENCY IS THE KEY . COYB ,KEEP RIGHT ON TO THE END OF THE ROAD .

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Razor added 10:44 - Mar 8 I am told Plymouth got a flukey deflection and dodgy penalty to win their game-----if so very annoying but it cant go on.
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Newtonboy74 added 10:56 - Mar 8 Fat boy Tim Unfortunately blueboy 1981 is t he biggest, most negative 🔔 end ever to of graced twtd. I bet he listens to the match on the radio every week And is a closet Narwich fan. Just gets off making stupid comments and luckily People on here are wise to him now and just ignore His idiotic comments
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blueboy1981 added 11:49 - Mar 8 Newtonboy74 - Go to School, but don't take your PlayStation !
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Jugsy added 12:09 - Mar 8 Nice one, SoCalTownFan - appreciate your view point. I'm much the same as you, when I'm sharing something unpopular (like my declaration of not being a fan of Ladapo earlier in the season, although recently much more impressed) I've been hounded, but my point has always been that I would love to be proven wrong and the club/player be a success. Hats off to you, hopefully we're all talking together much more positively at the end of the season.

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cat added 12:31 - Mar 8 A comfortable night at PR against poor opposition but games like these are where we have failed over the last few seasons and at points during this season as well. Absolutely delighted for Kayden who performance was top draw. It reminded me of his form in the 18/19 season when he finished up with 11 goals and 11 assists which many on here have probably forgotten about. Tougher games ahead although I don't think they'll be as tough as some on here believe. We have sorted the problem midfield out with M.L giving us that extra dimension. Momentum is now up to speed and we are solid at the back. We should fear no one but suspect they'll be a few team seriously worried about us.

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oldelsworthyfan added 14:26 - Mar 8 Massimo Luongo has made the most significant positive difference to the effectiveness of our midfield. Its good to see so many of our players coming into better form and gelling together.
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dirtydingusmagee added 14:30 - Mar 8 its all about handling the pressure from now on for top 6 ,can we handle it ? time will tell , in past it has been a weakness but perhaps KM can turn that around , imo he has improved most things so fingers crossed .
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Rimsy added 14:33 - Mar 8 Another excellent win. Broadhead and Luongo both class tonight. I've been one of Jacksons biggest critics as a striker, but to give him his dues looks a different player on the wing. Only slight negatives for me were the defence and keeper conspiring to put us under unnecessary pressure at times, sometimes you've just got to clear it. May not get away with it against better players.

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IpswichT62OldBoy added 15:08 - Mar 8 So we are now 3rd in the current form table, up from a worrying 17th, only Wendies and Barnsley above us, if we finish second in the current form table we will go up and we still have Barnsley to play yet.
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Sandman180 added 16:00 - Mar 8 Another solid win, which is all that's required at this stage, albeit against a team that we should be beating with all variables considered - budget, league position, being at home etc. This has been the theme of the last few weeks, and rightly so. Performance wise, it's still a little off, in my opinion; from attending the Burton game on Saturday, I left feeling that the scoreline didn't really reflect the actual performance - the first 20 of both halves town were up against it, and the same silly errors were still evident. You can get away with this against the Burton's and Accrington's of this world, but with the fixtures upcoming, such mistakes will be profited on, I'm sure. 5th, 9th, 4th, 6th & 7th in the next five games, no hiding places now - be interesting to see how the table reads following this run. Unsure whether to optimistic, pragmatic or a little apprehensive, but let's back the boys either way, as well as praying for a Plymouth slip up at Oakwell on Saturday!

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