Scoring winning goals for Ipswich is far preferable to going shopping with his mum for on-loan Alan Mahon, who has admitted he would love to stay with the Blues on a permanent basis.

By Derek Davis

Scoring winning goals for Ipswich is far preferable to going shopping with his mum for on-loan Alan Mahon, who has admitted he would love to stay with the Blues on a permanent basis.

The Republic of Ireland international has become a firm favourite with Blues fans, who would love to see him make the switch from Blackburn permanent.

Although his three-month loan does not run out until the beginning of December, a deal could be done before then as Rovers' manager Graeme Souness has said he can leave on a free transfer.

The risk Town take is another club could move in for him in December, or Mahon could wait until the January transfer window opens and go to a Premiership club.

But there is no doubt the 26-year-old is loving his time with the Blues and would relish making the move permanent.

He said: "I'm enjoying my football and that is all that matters. I would like to stay. It is a great set of lads, great staff and I'm happy to be here. I hope something can be sorted out."

There was no hiding his joy at scoring, grabbing the badge on his Town shirt and letting everyone know what it meant.

Mahon knows if he were still at Ewood Park his Saturdays would not be quite so rewarding as scoring the winner for Ipswich.

He revealed: "Normally I would be out shopping with my mum I would not be involved with Blackburn Rovers, that is for sure. This is the best feeling in the world.

"There is nothing worse than training all week and not playing; there is no end product.

"But now the whole team is on a high and I won't come down until the next game."

Town might have extended their lead but for some great saves by Marlon Beresford, who also went the right way to save a Pablo Counago penalty.

Counago has banged in three from the spot this season and Mahon has no qualms about the Spaniard stepping up if called upon again.

He said: "I'm confident with Pablo. He will take the next one, but if he doesn't then I would be more than happy to take one."

Mahon's 42nd-minute winner came from a Counago knock- down and he superbly drove in a left-footed shot from 25 yards.

In typically modest fashion Mahon said: "It was good to score but that was a bonus. To get the win to get the three points was the important thing.

"It is the best feeling in the world. I don't score a lot so when I do it is a bonus."

It proved to be an important strike as chances went begging.

He added: "We had a few chances before I scored and few after but the important thing was the three points."

Mahon has been a lucky leprechaun for Town, as their good run has coincided with his arrival from Blackburn.

After failing to win six games they have now won five of the seven league games played since he joined the club on September 9.