Murphy: Deserved and Much-Needed Win Monday, 27th Jan 2014 06:00 Town goalscorer Daryl Murphy thought the Blues deserved what he felt was a much-needed victory over Reading at Portman Road on Saturday. "It was deserved and well-needed,” said the Irishman, who missed games earlier in the month with a thigh problem. “We've had a bad run of late but that goes to show how well we can play. "I'm rarely injured and to be out watching the lads is a horrible feeling. I needed to get myself right but thankfully I'm back now.” The 30-year-old, whose goal was his eighth of the season, admitted he was concerned when his 62nd minute strike hit the bar: “I steadied myself and made sure I wasn't offside. "When it went off the crossbar I thought that knowing my luck it wasn’t going to go in but thankfully it did.” Murphy’s close friend Stephen Hunt — they both grew up in Waterford — created his goal and impressed in only his second league start for the Blues. "He was very good,” Murphy added. “That's what he gives you, energy, determination and he buzzes around the pitch. "He's too bubbly to be honest with you. He can be annoying sometimes but that's just him. That's the way he's always been and he's never going to change so you get used to it.” The former Celtic man says the victory over the Royals is a boost as the Blues, who moved up to seventh, look to get back in the top six: “We were in the play-offs a few weeks ago but couldn't stay in there. This result will kick us on and give us the confidence to get back up there. "We kept a clean sheet, which was important as well. The lads in the back five were excellent.” Reading’s Hope Akpan saw his own personal unbeaten run come to an end having not ended up on the losing side in his previous 12 appearances in the league - two starts, 10 from the bench - this season: "It's very disappointing. After the first half we were very disappointed not to get something from the game.” He was in no doubt that his team ought to have been awarded a first-half spot-kick when Ryan Tunnicliffe appeared to bring down Jobi McAnuff. "It was definitely a penalty in my eyes," he insisted. "Jobi's took it past him and he's knocked him over. The ref said at half-time it might have been a penalty but he never gave it. "It's two bad goals that we conceded but luckily there's a quick turnaround to the next game so hopefully we can get back on track.”
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