Keane stays grounded after first win

ROY KEANE refused to get carried away after his Ipswich side ended their long winless run with a 1-0 victory against injury-ravaged Derby on Saturday.

David Wright’s second-half goal secured Town’s first win in 15 games, although they stay rooted to the bottom of the Championship.

“I’m pleased, it’s better than losing and it’s always nice to win football matches,” he said.

“It’s ironic because I don’t think we played particularly well. Having said that, for four or five weeks I’ve been saying how well we’ve played without getting the rewards. We huffed and puffed and won an ugly match. Sometimes that’s what you have to do. That’s allowed.”

Plymouth and Reading stayed above the Tractor Boys with victories of their own.

Grzegorz Rasiak put the Royals ahead in the opening minute at Coventry and they did not look back in a 3-1 triumph.

Plymouth ensured it was a losing start for Gordon Strachan as Middlesbrough boss, Jamie Mackie netting the only goal in the 64th minute.

“It was frustrating,” admitted Strachan. “It always is when you lose. But it was nice to be back. I enjoyed it, not the game but the experience.”

West Brom regained top spot from Newcastle in emphatic style with a 5-0 victory over Watford.

With the Magpies and Cardiff not in action, the Baggies took full advantage with goals from Jonas Olsson and Graeme Dorrans putting them in charge at the interval.

Things got even better in the second half as Luke Moore, Gianni Zuiverloon and Simon Cox boosted West Brom’s goal difference.

It was only Albion’s second win in seven games and their first goals in three and manager Roberto Di Matteo said: “It is amazing we get all this criticism for not scoring in two games. We are still up there with the top scorers.”

Bristol City climbed to fifth despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Sheffield Wednesday. Nicky Maynard put City ahead but Luke Varney levelled with 15 minutes remaining. Doncaster and Blackpool shared the points after a see-saw battle that saw Rovers twice take the lead only to need a last-minute goal from Billy Sharp to secure a 3-3 draw. Preston were also limited to a point as they climbed to eighth after a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. Peterborough dropped to second bottom after Barnsley came from behind to win 2-1.