Millwall v Ipswich: Mick McCarthy said his Blues side scored their goals at the right time as Town went back into second place in the Championship with a 3-1 victory at Millwall.

Town went to The Den following back-to-back defeats, against Derby and Southampton, in the FA Cup, but were facing a Lions team in dire straits following their humbling 4-0 defeat at League One Bradford, in the FA Cup, in midweek.

Much-changed Millwall started at a quick pace and Diego Fabbrini went close, before Noel Hunt grabbed a quick-fire brace, on five and 14 minutes, to give the visitors the advantage and silence the home faithful.

Magaye Gueye gave Millwall hope two minutes before the break before substitute Jonathan Parr knocked the stuffing out of Ian Holloway’s men, 13 minutes from time, as they huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser.

“It was always going to be tough for us, given the changes they had made and the week they have had and they set off at real pace,” said McCarthy.

“But we managed to stem the flow with the goals and took the sting out of the game.

“I didn’t put Johnny Parr on to score the third goal but (Diego) Fabbrini had been drifting inside all game and when Johnny did it, space opened up for him and it was a great finish.

“I was really pleased with the way we played, it was a difficult day for us today, their crowd made it difficult but stuck with their team and I wouldn’t have liked to have gone into the last minutes with just a one-goal lead.

McCarthy was without the injured David McGoldrick, who it is hoped will be back for Wednesday’s trip to Brighton, Luke Hyam (knee), Dean Gerken (hip) who will be out for a longer period and Cole Skuse and Teddy Bishop (illness).

Freddie Sears was brought in last night on a permanent deal from Colchester but McCarthy, who is close to bringing in a loan goalkeeper as cover, refused to be drawn on whether he would be adding to his squad with the signing of Leeds striker Billy Sharp.

It is understood there have been talks between the two clubs over a loan deal but McCarthy explained: “Unless I said we were doing something with him (Sharp) I wouldn’t comment because he’s Leeds’ player.”