IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton could not have asked more from his side and hailed their performance after defeating Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Derek Davis

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton could not have asked more from his side and hailed their performance after defeating Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

He said: “We showed great character and unity and I'm pleased for them - they were outstanding to a man.

“It was not pretty but overall in the conditions I was very proud of them.

“We had to play the conditions and both sides showed their mettle.

“We are becoming hard to beat and that is one defeat in 11 now.

“We are becoming hard to beat and that was attest of character.”

Jon Stead came off the bench to score both goals for Town and he came close to his hat-trick when hit rattled a post with a long range free kick.

Magilton said: “Jon was not happy with his performance on Tuesday and was very hard on himself so I was delighted.

“Jon was unlucky not to get his hat-trick but it was a great effort and so we won't be hard on him.”

Magilton was pleased for the striker and also keeper Richard Wright who made a terrific save to deny Martin Rowlands in the first half.

He said: “It could have been a match-winning save from Richard.”

With five more games to come this month before going to Norwich, Magilton feels his side will have to maintain this momentum.

He said “It was very pleasing the way we dug out and were patient. We need to keep our resolve and stick to our principles because I'm not going to change the way we play.”

QPR also hit the crossbar from a Lee Cook free kick but the defeat will have been a blow to Gareth Ainsworth hopes of securing the manager's job with David O'Leary being tipped to take over.

Ainsworth said: “I have not been told anything more at the present so it is just about taking things day by day.

“I'm very proud to be at the helm at QPR, win lose or draw. All I can do is prepare the team for Cardiff next week.

“The difference between the two teams was Ipswich took their chances in the second half. It was disappointing but I can't fault the lads' efforts

“We might have scored twice in the first half but Richard Wright makes a great save and on another day the shot that clipped the bar goes in.”