Town boss Joe Royle was unhappy with his side after they lost 3-2 to Stoke having been ahead twice.

Royle said: "I'd have been disappointed with a point and we've come away with nothing.

"It's totally our own fault. Defending poorly on the same corner twice and on the same person, although the keeper was fouled in the first one.

"We didn't keep the ball, were non-existent in midfield and individually poor defensively.

"We should have been out of sight by half time. We had two great chances, allied to the goal we scored.

"Our keeper has not had a lot to do but picked three out of the net."

Royle was pleased with Ian Westlake's second goal but less impressed that his players conceded possession all too regularly: "The second goal was terrific but we didn't go on to dominate. We didn't keep the ball so we could go on and play.

"For a side that's supposed to be a passing side we don't keep the ball enough."

The Town boss was particularly displeased with the third goal which saw a mix-up between Richard Naylor and Kelvin Davis but felt the keeper was fouled on Stoke's first goal: "The third was just a straight freekick and we've just not dealt with it.

"I'm not going into referees' performances because that's making excuses. He's [Kelvin Davis] been blocked once before - good luck if they get away with it."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis was unsurprisingly cock-a-hoop at a win which took his side top of the table: "How many points have we got? Another 33 and we'll be safe!

"We get 23,000 people here, they'll go away happy - we're pleased and I'm delighted for the town.

"But it's a good spirit here, what we lack in quality we make up for in commitment.

"I thought it was a cracking game. Ipswich and Joe came for three points, it was an open game unlike some teams who come here to defend.

"It was end to end and the keeper's made some good saves."

Pulis had particular praise for the much maligned Ade Akinbiyi: "He caused them problems all night, he never stops or lets people rest and we've got to wait until the 86th minute for him to pop up.

"But it's him charging around that makes people make mistakes and I'm just very pleased he scored the goal."

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