Ipswich boss Jim Magilton admitted a controversial decision to award his side a penalty was a 'pivotal' moment in the 3-1 victory.

By Derek Davis

IT was a touch of Lucky Jim for the Ipswich boss as Town beat ten-man Leicester to go 14 home games without loss.

Blues boss Jim Magilton admitted a penalty decision while the sides were level was a turning point in the match, which Town went on to win 3-1.

Patrick Kisnorbo was dismissed for a tackle on Pablo Counago which the referee initially deemed to be outside the box but after talking to an assistant awarded the spot kick and showed a red card.

Magilton said: “The penalty was a pivotal moment. From where I was sitting it looked as if the contact was outside the box.

“The player was very unlucky to be sent off and to have conceded the penalty. We had a similar incident a few weeks back when the linesman gave the penalty and the referee overruled it.

“But he gave the penalty and we took advantage of it.

“I would have felt very aggrieved if it had been us.”

After missing a penalty at Charlton it looked first of all that Lee would be relived of penalty duties and Jon Walters looked ready to take it. But after a delay while City protested Lee beat Marton Fulop from the spot.

Magilton said: “Alan showed a lot of character to step up to take the penalty and scoring.”

Pablo Counago had opened the scoring and Iain Hume had levelled before the penalty incident.

Town went on to get a third through Jon Walters in the second half to move up to seventh in the Championship.

Magilton said: “At 2-1 with half time looming we knew the next goal was going to be important. Leicester started the second half better than us but once we stepped up the tempo and got our passing going we looked like we would score.

“The three front men all scored and I felt we did a professional job.

“It was a good three points for us in a difficult game after Saturday.

“We showed a lot of character so praise to the players and we move on to Saturday when it will be another tough game.”

Magilton gave starts to Danny Haynes and Sito Castro and both impressed in the win.

He said: “Danny did very well. He has the attributes needed and he showed with the tremendous burst of pace to set up the fist goal. He needs more 90 minutes like that but he could be back to the bench.

“Sito also did well. Dan Harding has not missed a game for us and he has looked jaded whereas Sito had looked very good in the reserves and after the second half on Saturday he has earned the right to play.

“Dan now knows he has competition.”