It could all be predetermined by the position of the planets, but there is something about Ipswich Town, Joe Royle and this time of year. In the three years since his arrival at Portman Road, Royle's Ipswich team are unbeaten during October and that curious run continues, giving momentum to the club's season just as injury woes subside.

The most encouraging horoscope must now belong to Nicky Forster, the striker signed in the summer from Reading who had been sidelined since mid-August with a cartilage injury. Forced into a premature recall, Forster trotted off the bench to perform a match-winning cameo.

"It was a lovely feeling to get the winner," he glowed. "I played in a play-off semi-final for Reading against Wigan [in 2001] when I'd missed the majority of the season. I came on when we were 1-0 down and set up one and scored one, so it has happened before."

Royle observed: "We're one point off the play-offs and I'd declare it's been a fantastic start given the problems we've had."

Forster's brilliantly taken 68th-minute winner came after he raced past Stephen Foster to collect a neat flick by Richard Naylor, Ipswich's centre-half pressed into emergency striking action by Parkin's half-time withdrawal.

Superb as that finish was, Darren Currie's equaliser 14 minutes earlier matched it, the Ipswich midfielder crisply converting a free kick conceded by Foster 25 yards from goal.

Crewe had been the first period's better side, taking the lead in the 27th minute when David Vaughan's free kick evaded everybody, embarrassing goalkeeper Lewis Price.

hat was careless, but Crewe manager Dario Gradi later used harsher words, accusing his defenders of "stupidity".

"We're so easy to score against," he added.

Simon Goodley (Daily Telegraph)