Town had the chance to take the lead as early as the 5th minute, Richard Naylor was left unmarked as Owen Garvan whipped a free-kick into the box, Naylor headed the ball back across goal towards Jon Walters, who got to the ball before Roy Carroll but Walters could only head the ball out for a goal kick.

Darren Ambrose was left unmarked as David Wright crossed in from the right wing, Ambrose's header going straight into the arms of Carroll. David Norris was next to be denied by the former Manchester United goalkeeper, Jordan Stewart's header fell short allowing Norris to take a shot which Carroll managed to block despite him and Norris colliding into one another.

Town took the lead after 27 minutes, Walters giving the ball a touch towards Counago, who made the most of the Derby defence's indecision to take an extra touch before slotting the ball past Carroll and into the bottom corner for his 5th goal of the season.

The game started to slow down after the first goal with very little happening in the final 15 minutes or so of the first half. Owen Garvan had a shot that was easily saved by Carroll while Rob Hulse missed the target completely for Derby from the edge of the area. Darren Powell came on for Claude Davis.

Town's first chance of the second half came from Jon Walters, Garvan set the forward running towards goal at an angle, Walters took the shot but it curled off target and eventually went out for a Derby throw in.

Walters made up for that error just 12 minutes later, Garvan released Wright down the right side, Wright sent a low cross into the box which Derby failed to deal with allowing Walters to turn inside the 6-yard box and poke the ball home to give Town a 2-0 lead with 24 minutes left to play.

The game again sort of went to sleep after the goal, Green fired into the upper tier of the Greene King stand, which provoked chants of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot". David Norris had a chance to give Town a 3-0 lead but Carroll was up to Norris' shot.

Kevin Lisbie came on for Pablo Counago in the 89th minute, he had one chance during the 4 minutes of stoppage time but Carroll denied him with his legs.

Ipswich: Richard Wright, David Wright, Bruce, Naylor, Thatcher, Norris (Miller 82), Shumulikoski, Garvan, Ambrose, Walters (Lisbie 89), Counago (Stead 74).
Subs Not Used: Supple, Balkestein.
Booked: Naylor.
Goals: Counago 27, Walters 66.

Derby: Carroll, Connolly, Davis (Powell 36), Nyatanga, Stewart, Barazite, Green, Addison, Commons (Kazmierczak 50), Hulse, Villa (Ellington 70).
Subs Not Used: Bywater, McEveley.
Booked: Nyatanga, Connolly.

Attendance: 20,239
Referee: Mike Russell (Hertfordshire).

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