Ipswich Town have developed an encouraging habit winning points when far from their best.

The Blues are yet to fire on all cylinders this campaign but, impressively, have already pocketed ten points from their opening five games.

Town did what they had to to sink poor opposition and kept a rare clean sheet in the bargain.

As boss Joe Royle joked afterwards: "We usually make at least one schoolboy error per game."

This match was a very welcome exception.

In fact, following hot on the heels of Tuesday's 2-0 Carling Cup success against Brentford, it was the first time his side have managed back-to-back clean sheets since Royle took over in October 2002.

Town defended solidly against their lacklustre hosts and, in the end, ran out very comfortable winners. They could easily have scored more than two.

Shefki Kuqi was the two-goal hero and his first strike - seconds after he missed a much easier chance - was worth the entrance fee alone.

Two minutes before the break, and against the run of play, Kuqi spun and unleashed a thunderous 25-yard volley over goalkeeper Mike Pollitt.

Then, almost straight after the restart, he doubled the lead with a goal as simple as his opener was spectacular.

Darren Bent cashed in on a mix-up between Scott Minto and Pollitt.

He robbed the defender with an outstretched boot.

And when the diving Pollitt just failed to get his glove on the ball, Kuqi was on hand to slam home from close range.

Published Monday August 30, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette