IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell admits that his side’s 1-0 home win over Derby County was scrappy – but he doesn’t care one bit.

The Blues’ winner came with seconds of the second half restart, with the referee ruling that Keith Andrews’ header had crossed the line – the official eventually consulting his linesman after playing on for a lengthy period.

Town then defended well to secure their first clean sheet in nine games, a second successive victory moving them up a place in the Championship table to 19th.

“It was a scrappy game wasn’t it?” said Jewell.

“I think Derby edged it slightly in the first half, they had the better chances and we were indebted to Arran (Lee-Barrett) who kept us in the game to be honest.

“We started well at the start of the second half last week (Andrews scoring within 20 seconds of the restart at Barnsley) and obviously we’ve done it again.

“After that it was a scrap – like the Portsmouth game here. There wasn’t a plethora of chances second half, it was just a hard-fought 1-0 win.

“We are just delighted to get three points.”

With Derby boss Nigel Clough struggling to bite his tongue over the way the officials’ allowed the goal, Jewell said: “I haven’t seen a replay yet and we don’t get a great view, but I actually thought it looked quite deep over the line. The players tell me it was over the line.

“The length of time it took to actually give the goal is what Derby are annoyed about – and I can understand that.

“Apparently the linesman ran to the halfway line, he’s saying if he’d have stuck his flag up there would have been more confusion, but those who have seen the DVD say it was over the line anyway.”

With Andrews set to return to parent club Blackburn in the New Year, Jewell said: “He’s scored nine goals for us now and that’s a terrific contribution from a midfielder.

“Obviously we’ll be trying to keep him here beyond this loan period, but we know that’s getting more and more difficult for us.

“He wants to stay and we’re going to try and keep him. The owner (Marcus Evans) is due to see his agent on Monday.”

– For full match report and reaction, see Monday’s EADT and Evening Star.