Blackburn v Ipswich: His glowing tribute to his boyhood club will offer few crumbs of comfort to frustrated Ipswich Town fans today.

Jordan Rhodes was desperate to claim the scruffy winner, credited as an own goal to Town keeper Stephen Henderson, in Blackburn’s 1-0 victory over the Blues at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Town’s 14th defeat of the season, in a turgid game of few chances, coupled with victories for the sides occupying the bottom three, Barnsley, Bristol City and Peterborough, means Mick McCarthy’s men now only have Wolves between themselves and the drop-zone.

Just a point clear of safety, Ipswich were left to rue a lack of creativity in offensive areas and succumbed to Rovers’ first half-chance of the game.

They now face two crucial home games, against Blackpool, this Saturday, and Watford, next Tuesday, knowing two poor results could see them plunge into the bottom three.

Town’s misfortune is hardly likely to please Rhodes, a former Kesgrave High School pupil, who spoke of his admiration for the club after the game.

However, he will also have enjoyed the result, especially considering his controversial exit from Portman Road, when he was considered surplus to requirements by then-manager, Roy Keane.

“I’ve waited four-and-a-half years to score against Ipswich. I haven’t played them since leaving, so no-one is taking that goal off me,” said Rhodes, who has scored more than 100 league goals since leaving Suffolk.

“I would just like to put it on record that I’m very grateful for all the support that Ipswich supporters gave me, and continue to give me.

“I joined them when I was 15, went through the club’s scholarship and left when I was 19. They were really good to me.

“Even now I see the websites and the local newspapers and there is kind words for me and I’m really grateful.

“After leaving Ipswich, I made it my job at Huddersfield to wake up every morning and make myself a better player and prove a couple of people wrong behind the scenes at Ipswich who made that decision to let me go.

“I didn’t let what happened get me down and I never lost that desire to improve.”