Royle's delighted with Darren

OF all the players who snatched the ball to drive in the penalty, Blues boss Joe Royle was delighted it was Darren Curie, writes Derek Davis.

Royle was initially left fuming because Ipswich had not been awarded a first-half penalty by referee Dermot Gallagher but when Currie slotted a second-half spot- kick it didn't matter quite so much.

He said: “One of their lads has just taken Ian Westlake out and he's given nothing, if it was not a foul then why wasn't Westy booked for diving?

“I think that was a penalty and the one in the second half, there can't have been any complaints about that, can there?

“Darren Currie grabbed the ball for the penalty ahead of Darren Bent and Shefki Kuqi and I am glad he did.

“He took that well and he also made the second goal look easy because it was behind him when it came across and he has done well to turn it in on the volley.”

Royle praised the influence of skipper Jim Magilton and said: “He showed again how important he is to us.”

Plymouth clawed their way back into the game in the 87th minute when target man Mickey Evans - who will lead the home attack against Everton in the FA Cup at Home Park on Saturday - scored at the second attempt.

Evans' first effort was blocked but when it cannoned back to him, he thumped in a volley to set up a tense finale.

Argyle boss Bobby Williamson admitted: “Ipswich showed their quality at the end there when they had to defend.

“We had a go at them, which must have pleased our fans, but they kept us out.”

Williamson handed a debut to new £100, 000 striker Scott Taylor, signed on New Year's Eve from Blackpool, and said: “I am sure Scott has got goals in him. He has now got a game under his belt for us, which is important.

“He has come in and played after just being here for four days and having a run-out as sub at Wolves.”