Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy admits he was a relieved man after his team finally got back to winning ways tonight.

The Blues ended a five-game goalless and victory-less run with a 2-0 triumph over Burton Albion at Portman Road to move up to 12th in the Championship table.

Nigel Clough’s visitors gave as good as they got throughout, creating 18 attempts and 12 corners, but Luke Chambers (15) and Freddie Sears (88) netted in each half.

“Of course there’s relief, I’m not going to lie about that,” said McCarthy.

“It’s not been nice over the last couple of weeks because people start to doubt me, doubt the players and doubt the club. That atmosphere can be difficult to play in.

“We all prefer it when people have got happy, smiley faces and they want to come and watch us. Hopefully that will go some way to achieving that.

“Did someone say we are three points off the play-offs? I was s**t yesterday, I couldn’t do my job and I needed to be out the door! It’s bonkers. That doesn’t bother me by the way, it’s just a matter of fact. It’s a crazy old league and we’ve got a lot of games to play.”

With Sears ending his own goalless run, McCarthy said: “What was it 27 games without a goal? Thirty-eight was it? Blimey, it was worse than I thought. I said I’ve watched three seasons of ‘Scandal’ since he last scored. It was probably four actually!

“I never once considered leaving him out though because he’s terrific.”

The entire Town team, including keeper Bartosz Bialkowski, celebrated with Sears after his predatory finish.

“That was lovely to see,” said McCarthy. “I just hope Bart didn’t pull his hamstring! Because it was Freddie it was a little bit extra special.”

On the game in general, McCarthy said: “I think they are a very capable team, they play a system that can be difficult to play against (wing-backs), they get men forwards, they’ve got two big fellas up front who are a constant threat. The game was open, but I did think if it was left wide open we’d win because I thought we’d got better players up top.

“It’s another clean sheet, which is fab, because that’s now five in the last seven games.

“We’re not going to beating teams three, four, five-nil. We might have a better chance of that when we’ve got Didz (David McGoldrick) and Jonny (Williams) back, but it’s never been that way. So a clean sheet and 2-0 suits me fine.

“They attacked with six players and I was happy to defend with six and leave four up with their four and thankfully it worked out. We had the better finishers on the night.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy said dropping Jonathan Douglas and Grant Ward for Kevin Bru and Teddy Bishop was tactical.

“I changed the team because I wanted Bish and Kevin Bru in the team at home,” said McCarthy. “I thought they might give us a bit more subtlety. Dougie has got a bit of fluid on his knee to be fair. For a guy of 33/34 he’s been incredible and he’ll be back in on Saturday.”

Explaining why Jonny Williams wasn’t on the bench, after his five minute cameo at Blackburn, the Blues boss added: “He has got a tight thigh and we have got to protect him. He’ll be alright. I think he’ll be involved Saturday.”

Town travel to table-topping Newcastle this weekend.