Hat-trick hero Dean Bowditch said that his first league hat-trick on his second league start was unsurprisingly the highlight of his career so far.

Bowditch told the club site: "It was a dream to score three goals and now I am off to celebrate with my family.

"The first goal was just a reward for closing down the keeper. I turned my head as he went to clear and then heard everyone scream and the ball was in front of me so I only had to tap it in.

"I felt sorry for Lenny because I know him a little bit through my brother [Ben] who is with Tottenham.

"I didn't know much about the second one because the keeper caught me as I poked the ball past him and a got a whack on my head.

"It was a great feeling when the third hit the net though but the most important thing is that we won the game.

"The lads have signed the matchball and my shirt so I've got some mementos from a game that is obviously the highlight of my career so far."

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls