By Aston
February 13 2008

Town won their second away game of the season last night and cemented their place in the top 6 of the Championship, after beating Crystal Palace 1-0. Town started with a 4-4-2 formation with Alan Lee and Jon Walters up front with David Norris, Tommy Miller, Velice Sumulikoski and Danny Haynes in midfield, David Wright was rested from the starting line up so Alex Bruce played at right back, Dan Harding was at left back while Richard Naylor returned to action in the middle of the defence alongside Jason De Vos.

Town started the game the better side and could have had an early lead when Danny Butterfield's back pass to Speroni forced the ‘keeper to come rushing out of his area before Danny Haynes could make contact with the ball.

Alan Lee curled a shoot into the arms of Speroni while Jon Walters and debutant Velice Sumulikoski both headed wide.

Palace's best chance of the first half came in the 38th minute, Mark Hudson evaded the offside trap and managed to beat Stephen Bywater with his shoot only to see Richard Naylor clear the ball a yard before it crossed the line.

Town's goal came just before the half time break when Richard Naylor's volley cannoned into Danny Haynes' head and into the back of the net for the strikers 5th goal of the season.

Palace were very lucky to end the game with all 11 men on the pitch at Speroni brought down Town striker Jon Walters while Speroni was the last man referee Clive Penton saw it only as a yellow card offence.

Palace introduced Shefki Kuqi and Dougie Freedman in the second half as they looked for a goal but Town managed to hang on despite the extra pressure and take all three points back to Suffolk

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Lawrence, Hudson, Hills, Danns, Watson (Fletcher 46), Derry (Freedman 67), Scannell, Scowcroft (Kuqi 56), Morrison.
Subs Not Used: Ifill, Fonte.
Booked: Speroni, Danns.

Ipswich: Bywater, Bruce (Wright 86), De Vos, Naylor, Harding, Norris, Miller, Sumulikoski, Haynes, Lee (Counago 82), Walters.
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Garvan, Trotter.
Booked: Haynes.
Goals: Haynes 45.

Attendance: 16,090.
Referee: Clive Penton (Sussex).

On a personal note I'd like to thank a young fella called Adam and his American cousins who helped me find my way to the game last night without a hitch.

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