McCarthy likes Luke of his win

IPSWICH boss Mick McCarthy hailed Luke Varney after the veteran striker inspired Town to their first home win in more than a month.

Grant Ward’s scuffed shot broke the deadlock after 13 minutes before the match changed nine minutes after the restart, thanks to a hapless error by Alex Smithies.

The QPR keeper’s horrendous attempt at heading away only saw the ball skew behind him to gift 34-year-old Varney (above) a tap-in.

Tom Lawrence added a third with a fine finish in the corner just after the hour before David McGoldrick, Freddie Sears and Ward were all unable to find a way past Smithies.

It was the first time Ipswich had scored three goals at home in almost two years.

McCarthy said: “The irony was that poor old Alex Smithies cost them the second goal, which set us to win as comprehensively as we did. He then kept it from being an embarrassing scoreline, but I’ll take three.

“With Luke Varney and also Jonathan Douglas, I knew what I was going to get – even though I bet some people weren’t thinking that when they saw the team sheet. Luke epitomised everything what I want in this team.”

QPR’s best chance in the first half fell to Conor Washington, whose shot struck the body of Bartosz Bialkowski before they capitulated, following Smithies’ gaffe.

They could have lost by a lot more, although they almost got a consolation when sub Sandro whacked a post with a header from Tjaronn Chery’s corner.

Hoops boss Ian Holloway said: “I am sure everyone will say everything hinged on the second goal, but it shouldn’t have.

“Everyone will blame my keeper, but I won’t as my defenders should have made an angle for him. Even with my legs, I would have run back and tried to help him.

“My players need to be mentally tougher. We have got to try and be a bigger, braver and more solid team.” Possession Shots On Target Shots Off Target Blocked Shots Corners Fouls Conceded Offsides Yellow Cards Red Cards 42% 58% 9 5 5 4 2 3 4 4 13 17 6 2 1 2 0 0