A RELIEVED and delighted Jim Magilton admitted he will be inspired and learn from the criticism levelled at him this week by fans and commentators alike.

Derek Davis

A RELIEVED and delighted Jim Magilton admitted he will be inspired and learn from the criticism levelled at him this week by fans and commentators alike.

A 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest last night, following an assertion from owner Marcus Evans that his job is safe until at least the end of the season, took the pressure of the Ipswich Town manager.

Polls have shown that more than 77 per cent of Town fans want Magilton to go and the two main Suffolk-based newspapers have reflected that opinion but the manager insists he will not let the criticism affect him.

He said: “It has inspired me even more to succeed.

“Criticism is part and parcel of the game and you have to learn to accept it and learn from it.

“It is a learning process for me and I will use it as that. It is part of my early years of my job. I will take it and move on.

“It is a game of opinion, they have theirs, I have mine.

“My focus of attention is the players and they did me proud as did the crowd.

“The crowd were magnificent. When we were low they picked us up and we need everyone to stick together.”

An own goal by James Perch gave Ipswich the lead and David Wright wrapped the age up with an excellent finish. Even though Nathan Tyson scored one goal and hit a post for Forest Town held on for their first home win in the league in six attempts.

Forest also had a goal controversially ruled out for a foul on keeper Richard Wright who dropped the ball before Joe Garner nodded in.

Magilton hailed his players who put the unrest behind them to grind out the win.

He said: “The players are oblivious to it all. As a player you let it wash over you. Players are selfish people, I certainly was. They have shown real character in what could have been a tricky game.”

Magilton admitted he was mightily relived to see that goal not given and also praised his skipper Gareth McAuley who made a goal-denying tackle on Tyson who was following up after McGugan hit a post.

He said: “McAuley showed a wonderful desire to get a result for his team and that was a fantastic tackle.”

Wright also made two excellent saves from Lewis McGugan to ensure the victory that leapfrogs Town above Saturday's opponents QPR and into 10th place in the Championship.

Magilton admitted Town had played no better in this win than they had in the previous home draws.

He said: “Our play was probably better against Blackpool but we didn't get the rub of the green then. At times at 2-0 against Forest we had opportunities to make it three or four but that is us. We like to keep people on the edge of our seat.

“It was a scrappy win but it was a win none the less and after three home draws it was important to win a game of football.

“The players showed great grit and determination. We would like to play with more fluency but what was important was the result.”

McAuley and Danny Haynes are both injury doubts for the trip to Loftus Road for Saturday evening's televised game.