Waghorn sets Town on way to success
IPSWICH are up to seventh in the Championship table after condemning Preston to a fourth straight defeat.
A direct free-kick by Martyn Waghorn in first-half stoppage time, a David McGoldrick header and a wonder strike by Bersant Celina ensured victory for the hosts.
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy praised his team for their battling qualities.
He said: “It was what was required.
“There are all sorts of different ways to win a football match.”
Ipswich had early chances wasted by McGoldrick and Jordan Spence.
The Portman Road crowd was getting restless with the continuing halt in play and, in the 23rd minute, Jordan Hugill was booked by referee Andrew Madley for persistent fouling.
A minute later McGoldrick was also booked for arguing with the referee after netting from an offside position.
In the 29th minute Cole Skuse came off injured and was replaced by Kevin Bru and seven minutes later another injury, this time to Preston’s Darnell Fisher, resulted in Marnick Vermijl replacing him.
A minute before half time a foul on Waghorn on the edge of the penalty area resulted in the Ipswich No.9 curling a left-footed shot past the Preston defensive wall and into the net for the opening goal of the game.
Ipswich started the second half brightly and in the 49th minute a cross from the right by Spence was headed home by McGoldrick.
In the 64th minute another move down the right, involving Spence and Celina, resulted in a wonderful strike from the Kosovan forward, who beat the PNE keeper Chris Maxwell by firing into the roof of the net.
Preston boss Alex Neil said his team did not perform well. He said: “We don’t need to sit here and feel sorry for ourselves but our last two performances have been very disappointing.
“We have a smallish squad and now have nine players missing through injury – and we are being stretched to the limit.”