Royle has re-think on out-of-favour Counago after Ipswich go top

Ipswich Town 2 Millwall 0

Ipswich went to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship thanks to two late goals against at Millwall at Portman Road.

In the 84th minute, substitute Counago headed a long clearance from goalkeeper Kelvin Davis towards Darren Bent who sidefooted past Millwall goalkeeper Graham Stack.

Ipswich scored again in the last minute through Counago when Millwall, who will be involved in UEFA Cup action against Ferencvaros on Thursday, lost their concentration.

Counago, out of favour of late, turned his defender cleverly before firing home left-footed.

There was a blow for Millwall when new signing Barry Hayles challenged Davis for a through-ball and suffered rib injuries in the collision which led to him being substituted in the 57th minute.

Ipswich manager Joe Royle said: “I am delighted with three points. We were the better side but Millwall defended well.

“We needed a bit of inspiration and Pablo Counago came off the bench to provide that for us.

“Pablo is available on a free transfer but if he plays like this he can be a potent force for us.

“I have probably ignored him at times when he thinks he should have played. If he plays like this then I cannot ignore him and I hope he picks up his game from here.”

Of Bent, the free-scoring England Under-21 international, Royle said: “He cannot stop scoring and is having a great time.”

Millwall left Portman Road without manager Dennis Wise or his assistant, Ray Wilkins, talking to the press.

Royle said: “Of course I am happy to be top of the table but we’ve got to translate our home form into a very tricky game at Stoke on Tuesday.”

IPSWICH: Davis, Diallo, De Vos, Naylor, Wilnis, Miller, Magilton, Horlock, Westlake, Bent, Kuqi (Counago 67).

MILLWALL: Stack, Elliott, Lawrence, Ward, Simpson, Serioux, Wise (Muscat 72), Morris, Livermore, Hayles (Moore 57), McCammon (Harris 62).

Referee: T Bates