Ipswich counter criticism

Ipswich, tanned and recharged, moved up to fourth place and answered criticism of their players' mini-break in Tenerife last week.

That the sunshine trip immediately followed a 4-2 defeat at Burnley had whipped up enough unrest in the local newspaper that chairman and manager both used their programme notes to justify the break.

Joe Royle, the manager, was still touchy after goals from Tommy Miller and Ian Westlake secured a hard-earned win.

"If we had lost, the vultures would have been hovering again," he said. "Hopefully, there will be something more interesting to put on page one this week. Maybe something about the traffic lights working in the town centre."

Westlake, scoring his fourth goal in five games from midfield, joined in the pro-sun argument. He said: "Everyone looked fresh today and we were strong at the back. Maybe we had been letting in goals because of tired legs."

As well as sealing the win with a late goal from Fabian Wilnis's cross, Westlake helped put Ipswich ahead in the game's most controversial moment.

Jim Magilton's corner brushed the hand of Ipswich's Georges Santos before falling to Westlake on the edge of the area. With Preston appealing for handball, Westlake's shot was deftly diverted in by Miller.

Craig Brown, the normally mild-mannered Preston manager, described the decision to allow the goal as "shocking and incompetent".

He added: "Everyone saw the handball bar the referee. But then the advantage was given to the home team throughout. We were refereed out of the match."

Royle countered that Santos had been pushed by a Preston defender. "Craig's shouting for a free-kick, but I'm claiming a penalty for us," he said.

Peter Bainbridge (Daily Telegraph)