IPSWICH Town have more than enough quality and character to beat the drop.

That was assistant manager Terry Connor’s confident assessment after he led the Blues to a morale-boosting 4-0 home win over promotion-chasing Middlesbrough on Saturday.

With virus-hit manager Mick McCarthy forced to watch the game from his sick bed via a video link, Town ran riot in the second half as four goals were netted at Portman Road for the first time since the 5-1 thrashing of West Ham – a result which occurred almost a year earlier to the day.

The Blues have leapfrogged Wolves and Bolton in the Championship table following their first league win of 2013, but still remain just four points above the relegation zone after victories for Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday.

“It could go right down to the wire,” admitted Connor, after Tommy Smith’s headed double sandwiched goals from forward duo David McGoldrick and Aaron Mclean.

“You just can’t take your eye off the ball for one moment in this league. Top can beat bottom or bottom can beat top on any given day and you always know you’re going to have a game on your hands.

“We’ve just asked the lads to work hard, stick together and take things game-by-game.

“We’re pleased with the players we have been able to add though and we think we’re capable of picking up enough points over the next 16 games to still be in the Championship next season.”

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