Ipswich Town boss Paul Lambert admits 'we didn't deserve anything' against Portsmouth while Stephen Ward left 'bitterly disappointed' with display

Manager Paul Lambert admitted Ipswich Town's display against Sky Bet League One challengers Portsmouth yesterday was far below the standards he demands.

Two first-half goals from Ryan Williams saw Pompey run out comfortable winners in front of 2,000 returning fans at Portman Road.

The result, a third defeat in their last six league outings, saw the Blues drop two places in the table to sixth, but still three points off second-placed Lincoln City and five off leaders Hull City, having played a game more.

"We never played well," the Blues boss told iFollow Ipswich.

"Okay there was the first 15 minutes or so and Dobs (Armando Dobra) had a good shot that was saved, but other than that it wasn't good enough. The goals we conceded were terrible.

"We dropped the runners and were punished. We didn't deserve anything. We didn't lay a glove on them.

"When we lose the first goal in a game there seems to be a sense of nerves. We have to show more desire.

"You might lose games but there's a way to lose. We have to stick together and try and come through it, but we must be better."

Stephen Ward said Town were frustrated that they couldn't build on last week's come-from-behind win at 10-man Plymouth with a positive performance or result against Portsmouth.

"We're bitterly disappointed, the whole group is," the former Republic of Ireland international full-back told iFollow Ipswich

"Last week's win was a good one and we couldn't build on it, so that's very frustrating.

"It was great to have fans back and we're annoyed that we couldn't give them a performance or result that they wanted to see.

"We need to be tougher in games. It's concerning that we're conceding the first goal in matches and we need to fix that.

"We had a great start to the season and have a lot of younger lads playing at the moment because of injuries, but we need to learn to be more streetwise.

"We're the only ones that can change it and ultimately we need to be harder to beat."

MATCH REPORT

For the first time in 280 days, Blues were able to welcome back supporters to Portman Road, with 2,000 season ticket holders present, writes Dan Palfrey.

Paul Lambert made one change to the side that defeated Plymouth last weekend, with Andre Dozzell replacing Brett McGavin after serving his one-match suspension.

It was a lively opening to the game, with the visitors carving out the first real chance. David Cornell got down low to his left to deny John Marquis, whose curling effort was heading for the bottom corner.

Marcus Harness won a knock-down which set Ronan Curtis in on goal, but the Irishman skewed his effort way over the bar from just inside the penalty area.

It was then Town’s turn to threaten the Pompey goal on 23 minutes. Armando Dobra latched onto a deft flick from Kayden Jackson, before jinking past his marker and getting a low strike off which Craig MacGillivray saved well.

Just before the half hour mark, Pompey took the lead. Harness’ low cross found Marquis who laid the ball back on a plate for Williams to slot home into the top left corner.

Portsmouth continued to threaten. This time, Lee Brown found room down the left flank and pulled the ball back to Tom Naylor, whose low effort just flashed past the post.

A minute before the half-time whistle, Williams grabbed his second and Pompey’s second. Curtis nodded down Naylor’s cross into the path of Williams who slotted home from eight yards out.

Pompey almost had a third on 55 minutes, Curtis’ deep free-kick was met by Marquis whose header from 12 yards out crashed against the crossbar.

Blues had the crossbar to thank again eight minutes later. Marquis turned provider this time and teed up Curtis whose curling effort had Cornell beaten, but for the crossbar to come to the rescue.

Cornell then produced a wonderful save to deny Sean Raggett’s header from six yards out, which looked destined to find the bottom corner.

Referee Tom Brammall brandished three yellow cards in quick succession with Curtis, Mark McGuinness and Brett McGavin all picking up cautions.

Town made four changes in the second-half to try and rescue something from the game, with a close range McGuinness header that looped over the crossbar the closest Town came to pulling one back.

Pompey stood strong to hold out for the three points which has seen them leapfrog Town in the table.

Town: Cornell, Chambers (C), Woolfenden, McGuinness, Ward, Dozzell, Nolan (McGavin 34), Dobra, Lankester (Hawkins 70), Jackson (Drinan 62), Judge (Bennetts 61).

Subs: Holy, Nsiala, Kenlock

Portsmouth: Macgillivray, Johnson, Brown (Pring 59), Naylor (C), Whatmough, Williams, Marquis, Curtis (Jacobs 86), Cannon, Harness, Raggett.

Subs: Bass, Close, Harrison, Nicolaisen, Hiwula.

Booked: Curtis, McGuinness, McGavin, Raggett, Whatmough.

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