Sears strikes as Town win at home for first time

Freddie Sears’ fifth goal of the season was enough to hand Ipswich Town their first home win of the campaign against Wigan Athletic.

The former Colchester United striker reacted quickest to a loose ball to turn and stab past Christian Walton against the run-of-play in the second half as Town won for just the second time this season.

Town boss Paul Lambert, in search of his first win as Town boss, named another unchanged team, providing academy graduate Jack Lankester his first start at Portman Road.

On the other hand, Latics boss Paul Cook made two changes to last weekend’s side as Callum Connolly started against his former employers and Will Grigg entered the frame. Gary Roberts, another former Town midfielder, was selected to start for the visitors.

A positive start for the hosts

The Blues, without a home win for 249 days, started brightly with Jon Nolan sliding Flynn Downes through-on-goal, but the blustery conditions held the ball up allowing Reece James to clear the danger.

The ever-present Nolan featured again as he delivered a cross to the far post; however, Jonas Knudsen could not get enough power behind his effort to trouble Walton.

Wigan had an attacking chance of their own when Grigg drifted into space, but he was out-muscled by Town skipper Luke Chambers. Gary Roberts then flashed a low cross into the box from the left-wing, but it went harmlessly wide.

Josh Windass, a summer transfer target for Ipswich Town, had Wigan’s best chance of the game on 20 minutes as he was picked out in a good position, but the former Rangers midfielder drove a low shot wide.

Windass and Grigg came centimetres away from opening the scoring when Roberts’ cross bounced in the area; but they could not lap up the opportunity when the Town defenders were caught sleeping.

Jordan Roberts’ clever flick produced Town’s best chance to score, allowing Sears to run through-on-goal, but the striker struck over the bar to send both sides into the half-time break level.

Paul Cook’s word at half-time clearly energised his players as the Latics came bursting out the blocks for the second half. Reece James came closest for the visitors as he cut inside his marker inside the box, but his effort rattled the crossbar.

Both managers looked to get an edge over their opponents and made their first substitutions respectively on the hour-mark. James Vaughan replaced Will Grigg for the visitors, while Gwion Edwards came on in place of the tired Lankester.

And the Town change worked magic as the hosts took the lead on 68 minutes. Chalobah’s drifting ball was poorly cleared, Nolan and Roberts both tried their luck before Sears swivelled on the spot and shot into Walton’s shoulder and over the line.

Cook replaced Windass with former Town striker Joe Garner; Lambert brought Dozzell on for Downes on 72 minutes.

Wigan felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Chalobah conceded a foul right on the edge of the box, but the referee Scott Duncan remained unmoved despite their protests.

Town fell victim to a few suspect decisions from Duncan as Roberts was deemed to have made a foul; Chalobah was then penalised for what seemed a soft foul on the edge of the box.

Reece James thought he had clutched at least a point for the Latics as his curling free-kick seemed destined for the bottom corner, but Gerken’s out-stretched hand denied the visitors a late leveller.

The Town ‘keeper was called into action again moments later as he produced a strong save after the ball bobbled around in the box with two minutes left.

Lambert made one last change to consolidate his side’s position, as he opted to replace Roberts with Kayden Jackson.

Wigan was handed an almighty slice of fortune when the Fourth Official indicated that seven minutes would be added on, but it turned out not to be enough as Town held on to register just their second win of the season and move to five points of safety.

Ipswich Town: Gerken, Knudsen, Chambers (C), Pennington, Chalobah, Nolan, Spence, Roberts (89′ Jackson), Sears, Downes (72’ Dozzell), Lankaster (62’ Edwards).

Subs: Bialkowski, Edwards, Jackson, Bishop, Nsiala, Dozzell, Kenlock.

Wigan Athletic: Walton, Byrne (81’ McManaman), Morsy (C), Grigg (60’ Vaughan), Windass (71’ Garner), James, Roberts, Kirpe, Connolly, Burn, Evans.

Subs: Jones, Gibson, Vaughan, Massey, McManaman, Dunkley, Garner.