GOAL hero David Norris happily took a few knocks in the line of duty but it is his thumbs that are probably the sorest part of his anatomy today.Norris's equaliser at Southampton edged Ipswich back into the play-off places, level on points and goal difference with his old club Plymouth but nudge ahead on goals scored.

Derek Davis

GOAL hero David Norris happily took a few knocks in the line of duty but it is his thumbs that are probably the sorest part of his anatomy today.

Norris's equaliser at Southampton edged Ipswich back into the play-off places, level on points and goal difference with his old club Plymouth but nudge ahead on goals scored.

The closeness between the two clubs has meant Norris getting grief from his old Pilgrims team-mates and some serious predictive texting going on, along with the odd phone call.

Norris said: “There have been a few calls and text message with some banter between me and a couple of the Plymouth lads because we are nip and tuck right now. It is all good fun.”

The midfielder believes the banter will be going on right into May as the promotion race goes to the wire.

He said: “It is going to be nip and tuck for the rest of the season now with teams getting to the top six and dropping down again and then back in. The way the league is there will be lots of twists and turns yet.”

Despite the hard times from his old mates, and Plymouth's challenge for a place in the top six, Norris believes he made the right choice and his destiny with Town is in the top flight.

He said: “We are here for Premier League football and we have a chance. I'm sure other teams believe that to but I've come here to play in the Premiership.”

Neighbours Colchester United can do Town a big favour tomorrow night when they visit Home Park but have to help themselves too by beating Sheffield United too.

The £2m signing has struggled to settle since his switch from Argyle and admitted the goal will go a long way in helping him to adapt.

Norris said: “It is a big relief to get that goal. The earlier you get that first goal when you go to a new club helps you settle in and to do it in front of that brilliant away support was special too.

“I was pleased when I did score because any goal is a good goal but even so when you are one down.

“It was always going to take time to settle in. Getting used to a new manager, a new way of playing and new players but everyone around the club have been brilliant with me. I have moved into a flat and all that sort of things help.

“Now I'm getting settled you will now start to see the best of me.”

The goal salvage a point at Southampton but Norris feels Town should have grabbed all three.

He said: “The mood in the dressing room is one of disappointment to be honest because going into these last 12 games every win is massive and we had chances even though we weren't at our best.

“We will take the point and rely on our home form in the next game.”