Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy was glad his players were able to overcome any angst to scrap out a vital 2-0 home win over Blackburn Rovers at Portman Road.

East Anglian Daily Times: Liam Feeney, left, is joining Ipswich Town from Bolton. He's pictured with former Blue Dan Harding, playing for EastleighLiam Feeney, left, is joining Ipswich Town from Bolton. He's pictured with former Blue Dan Harding, playing for Eastleigh (Image: PA Wire)

The Blues produced another unconvincing performance, but birthday boy Daryl Murphy’s second half brace – a 68th minute penalty fine 87th minute strike – saw them move back to within a point of the Championship play-off places.

“It’s just a great victory,” said the Blues boss. “It was a tough, hard-fought game, they had the better of the start, but we got into the game and ended up deserved winners.

“It took a penalty to change the course of it. I haven’t seen it back, but Paul (Lambert) has said he has no complaints.

“We just had to stick with it. We’ve been there before. Don’t concede and you’ll always have a chance. I heard all the ironic cheers when all those headers were going on in the first 10 minutes, but I tell you, if you lose that scrap in the Championship then you lose the game.

“It’s always going to be a scrap at this time of a season because there is pressure on all of us to get points. It’s the same in every walk of life. When there’s a bit of angst you don’t perform as well I guess. It doesn’t really matter at this stage, it’s about winning the game.

“Three points has put us back on the heels of the top six, we have another home game on Saturday (against Rotherham), but it will be another tough one because Warny (Neil Warnock) has got them scrapping to stay in the league.”

On Murphy, who ended a seven-game goal drought to take his tally for the season to 10, McCarthy said: “It was a great (33rd) birthday for him. He’s had it tough this year. He’s had some knocks and niggles but I thought his performance tonight was excellent. I thought his second goal was outstanding.

“If you upset defenders then you’ll get goals, but if your whole concentration is on scoring goals and not doing all the other stuff then you don’t get chances. I think he’s been a real threat the last two or three games by getting back to that.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy revealed that Town are signing Bolton winger Liam Feeney on a 93-day emergency loan tomorrow.

He said: “I thought he was different class against us last Tuesday. He can play either side, he’s got real pace and he can stretch the pitch. He’s an experienced Championship player and will be a good addition.”