MAGNAMINOUS Jim Magilton accepted Ipswich Town's first home defeat in 11 months with and equal measure of dignity and disappointment.Goals from Tommy Smith and Nathan Ellington took Watford to the top of the table, although Jon Walters pulled one back for Town.

Derek Davis

MAGNAMINOUS Jim Magilton accepted Ipswich Town's first home defeat in 11 months with and equal measure of dignity and disappointment.

Goals from Tommy Smith and Nathan Ellington took Watford to the top of the table, although Jon Walters pulled one back for Town.

Ipswich fans were livid at Watford's tactics and then the time-wasting but Magilton praised the opposition, if not the referee.

Magilton said: “The better team won. They physically dominated and didn't allow us to play and got their just rewards as we were second best all afternoon.

“Watford are a good side and any side that finishes above the will get promoted.

“They came and did a really professional job on us and we didn't have enough people with the courage of their own convictions to win it.”

Alan Lee hit the crossbar and Jon Walters went close late on, but Magilton felt the result was fair.

He said: “Had Alan's gone in it may have changed the game, but its all ifs and buts. I was disappointed with our quality and tempo of play. We were sloppy and playing against a team that capitalised on that.

“To lose the home record in that fashion is extremely disappointing.”

Watford used all the tricks they could to hold on to the lead and play out time and Magilton accepted that, but he was not happy with Andy D'Urso who added just four minutes of time added on.

He said: “I'm always disappointed with Mr D'Urso.”

Town fans jeered Watford's approach but manager Aidy Boothroyd didn't care.

Boothroyd said: “If you judge the performance by winning it was up there as a ten, if you judge it on the ability to be stylish and nice I would give it a five.

“The result was fair and we are the first team to beat them here, which is an incredible record and credit to Jim.

“If people want us to come here and go toe to toe with the team with the best home record in the division and go home black-eyed and having lost, then say that is okay because we did right for the game - then that is not going to happen.

“I'm not pleased at all because people will want to knock us off the top. I will get excited if we are still top in May.”