Ex-Blues forward praised after maiden league start for early frontrunners as Pitman and Seddon strike

PAULLambert praised the impact of former Pompey striker Oli Hawkins as leaders Ipswich Town continued their perfect start to the League One campaign.

The Tractor Boys delivered a 2-0 win over relegation favourites Rochdale at Portman Road.

Hawkins, who joined Ipswich after being released by the Blues earlier this summer, made his first league start for the club.

He assisted Ed Bishop’s opener, as well as hitting the post himself with a shot on the swivel before half time.

Ipswich have picked up maximum points so far.

Their manager, Lambert, told the East Anglian Daily Times: ‘I thought we deserved to win.

‘Oli had a great chance – it’s a brilliant header and a hell of a save, you’ve got to give that kid his dues. Then Oli hits the post, we have one off the line and you think it could be one of those days.

‘I thought Oli Hawkins did great for the goal. I thought he had a great game.

‘I just thought Oli would give us something different. I don’t just mean physically. He’s got a good touch and I knew he’d be a handful. On another day he could have got a hat-trick. So yeah, it paid off.’

Hull City also have three wins out of three after Keane Lewis-Potter and George Honeyman were on target in the Tigers’ 2-0 win at

Northampton Town.

Lincoln City crept above Hull on goals scored following a 2-0 win at home to Charlton Athletic in yesterday’s match.

Second-half strikes by Jorge Grant and Lewis Montsma extended the

Imps’ winning start to the campaign.

Meanwhile, Sunderland edged Peterborough United 1-0 in a battle between two likely promotion contenders at the Stadium of Light.

The tight clash was decided by Grant Leadbitter’s 81st-minute penalty for the Black Cats.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson was adamant the referee shouldn’t have pointed to the spot for a foul on Denver Hume by Jack Taylor.

However, Sunderland counterpart Phil Parkinson was certain it was a penalty as his side sit fifth.

Oxford United had to overcome a bizarre event at their team hotel before going to Accrington Stanley – but still picked up a first win of the season.

As part of coronavirus precautions, last term’s beaten play-off finalists have their team bus sprayed with an alcohol-based sanitiser.

But that triggered the breathalyser used by the driver as a safety measure, meaning the coach wouldn’t start.

The U’s had to get taxis and lifts to the Wham Stadium, although they still picked up a 4-1 success.

Robinson told the Oxford Mail: ‘We’ve spent a lot of money on making sure our players are safe and everything that goes with it.

‘The problem is the blowing machine got affected by the alcohol gel on the coach, which meant when he (the driver) blew into it, the coach stalled and wouldn’t start for six hours.

‘We had to use staff cars, taxis, you name it to get to the ground.

‘This week has certainly been sent to test us. That’s the beauty of life – when the going gets tough, the tough get going.'

Ex-Pompey skipper Brett Pitman was on target in

Swindon Town’s 4-2 defeat of Burton Albion.

Another former Fratton favourite, Steve Seddon, netted the only goal on his second AFC Wimbledon debut in their 1-0 win at

Fleetwood Town.

Other results: Doncaster Rovers

4-1 Bristol Rovers; Gillingham 2-0 Blackpool; Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Shrewsbury Town.