For the second week running a Ben Pringle goal was the difference between the sides as the Blues beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Portman Road. The on-loan Fulham man, the scorer of the only goal at Huddersfield last week, turned the winner home off the post in the 63rd minute after good work from Kevin Foley.

Daryl Murphy and Jonathan Douglas missed out due to injury with Luke Hyam and Kevin Bru coming into the starting line-up, while Andre Dozzell, aged 16 years and 308 days, was on the bench for the first time.

The Blues started in a 4-4-2 formation with Bru on the right and Freddie Sears and Brett Pitman up front.

Forest threatened first in the third minute, Bialkowski doing well to get down to his left to push Nelson Oliveira’s header wide from Ben Osborn’s left-wing cross. From David Vaughan flag-kick, Gary Gardner headed straight at Bialkowski.

Dexter Blackstock picked up the game’s first yellow card in the seventh minute for catching Christophe Berra with an arm.

On eight, Sears broke away through the middle and found Pitman but Forest keeper Dorus de Vries was able to claim his low shot from a tight angle on the left.

Town were taking control of the game and in the 12th minute a long spell of Blues’ passing in the Forest half ended with Bru threading in Sears on the right of the area and de Vries pawing his shot wide at his near post.

But Forest came back into it and in the 18th minute Bialkowski made another terrific save when Pitman surrendered possession midway inside the Blues half with only Berra and Tommy Smith back.

Blackstock fed Oliveira and the on-loan Benfica man curled a shot towards the left corner of the Polish keeper’s goal, but the Town number 33 got across superbly to push the ball around the post.

Both sides had had chances in an entertaining first quarter of the game which had swung one way and then the other and on 22 Sears brought the ball forward before hitting a shot which de Vries palmed away.

Ryan Mendes was sent away on the right of the Town area on 24 but Berra got across to divert the ball behind. From the corner taken by Vaughan, the visitors went close to going in front when skipper Matt Mills powered a header off the top of the bar.

Town threatened on 28 when de Vries punched away Bru’s curling right-wing cross ahead of Pitman and the ball fell to Foley 20 yards out, but his shot went well over. Soon after, Pitman sent over a low cross from the right but the Forest keeper was able to claim comfortably.

Berra reached a high ball before De Vries virtually on the goal-line on 33 following a corner but the keeper was able to claim before the Scotland international could get in a second header.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 36th minute when a ball forward sent Gardner through on goal but Berra did well to get across to dispossess the on-loan Villa man."

What had been an entertaining half lost its momentum somewhat in a quiet final 10 minutes but just before the fourth official indicated an additional minute, Forest should have gone in front. Osborn crossed from the left and Gardner headed over from a few feet out when it seemed easier to hit the target.

Seconds later, the referee’s whistle ended what had been a well-contested half in which both sides had had opportunities, although with the visitors having had the better of the chances, and in which the again excellent Bialkowski had been the busier keeper.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles replaced Bru ahead of the second half with the on-loan Arsenal youngster a more natural wideman than the Mauritius international.

Three minutes after the restart, Pitman required treatment after he was caught late by Eric Lichaj, much to annoyance of the rest of the Town players. Referee Andy Woolmer gave a freekick but kept his cards in his pocket.

Town started to dominate, passing the ball around confidently and winning it back whenever they lost it. However, without creating an opening.

On 58 Foley shot over from distance, then a minute later Osborn scraped a low shot not too far wide of Bialkowski’s right post.

On the hour mark Michael Mancienne, who played for Town boss Mick McCarthy at Wolves, was booked for a foul on Sears midway inside the Forest half. Pringle’s freekick came to nothing.

A minute later, Oliveira smashed a shot across the face of goal with the visitors now looking more threatening.

But on 63 the Blues went in front. Foley picked up a headed clearance and took it into the area on the left and found Pitman. The striker returned it to the midfielder, who played a low ball across to Pringle, who turned a shot past de Vries and into the net off the post to claim his second Town goal and his first at Portman Road.

The visitors looked to hit back and on 67 Mendes broke away on the right but hit his shot from too tight an angle and Bialkowski claimed with the ball having already gone out of play.

In the 69th minute Pitman forced de Vries to bat away a powerful strike from the right with the loose ball just evading Hyam.

Two minutes later, the former Bournemouth man saw another strike deflect into de Vries’s arms after the Blues had cut out a Forest counter-attack and launched a break of their own.

On 73 Hyam and Oliveira clashed as they tussled for the ball, provoking a brief melee on halfway. Referee Woolmer booked both main protagonists.

Maitland-Niles shot over from distance, before Forest made a 77th minute triple substitution with Jorge Grant, Deimantas Petravicius and Chris Cohen replacing Oliveira, Mendes and Bojan Jokic.

Four minutes after coming on Grant was booked for catching Foley with a high boot as the pair challenged for a bouncing ball in the Town area following a corner.

Town had held on to their lead with relative comfort as the game moved into four minutes of injury time in which Luke Varney replaced Pitman and then Paul Digby took over from goalscorer Pringle.

Forest tried to launch a late push for an equaliser in the closing couple of minutes but despite having a lot of the ball never seriously threatened a determined Blues backline and referee Woolmer’s whistle confirmed that the three points were Town’s.

After a first half in which Forest had the better chances, the Blues were much the better side after the break.

With no Murphy to hit early with high balls, Town were perhaps forced to keep the ball more than has been the case and dominated possession for long spells in the second half.

They worked hard to create an opening, which eventually came with the excellent Foley playing a vital role in making the chance for Pringle, who once again finished clinically when his chance came.

The result sees the Blues stay ninth in the table but now just a point off the top six - plus goal difference, although with a game in hand - with Sheffield Wednesday having lost 1-0 at home to Rotherham. Town next travel to bottom-placed Bolton on Tuesday.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Foley, Hyam, Bru (Maitland-Niles 46), Pringle (Digby, 90), Pitman (Varney 90), Sears. Unused: Gerken, Tabb, Dozzell, Touré.

Forest: De Vries, Lichaj, Mancienne, Mills (c), Jokic (Cohen 77), Mendes (Petravicius 77), Gardner, Vaughan, Osborn, Oliveira (Grant 77), Blackstock. Unused: Evtimov, Wilson, O'Grady, Tesche. Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire). Att: 20,658 (Forest: 1,088).

Photo: Action Images

prebsa added 22:18 - Mar 5 I don't care Derby i have had it with you and Essex calling me and a lot of other people on here boo boys. We pay money we support our team. We wan ttown to do well like you and everyone else! Post your comments and get on with it. Stop having a go at other people!
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essexboy added 22:21 - Mar 5 How good it was to see the ball played on the ground today.Once again Bart was outstanding in all he did and saved us in the first half,he really has given confidence to the defence.First man on the team sheet now,I hope.I thought Foley was outstanding in all he did and covered both midfield and back up to the defence.Pringle adds a difference dimension and Sears was also outstanding, but does need more of the ball.Did we miss Murphy today?,I'm not sure.Please MM stick with this team Tuesday and the same tactics,baring any injuries.Today was so refreshing.Well done to all.I shall be at Bolton on Tuesday.COYB?

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essex57 added 22:28 - Mar 5 Good result full marks to all the team for giving us all hope again finally MM knows how to get 3 points out of whatever combination of players he has available I must add in my humble opinion as I've never played the game to a reasonable level or got my coaching badges ☺
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essex57 added 22:32 - Mar 5 Prebsa I'm pragmatic whatever the result so please don't try and belittle me.
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essexboy added 22:32 - Mar 5 Prebsa,are you referring to me?
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happybeingblue added 22:38 - Mar 5 Interesting fact that big Mick has to deal with food for thought GOOGLE NET SPEND CHAMPIONSHIP and read results based on last 5 seasons and see what he is dealing with and where we are in the league is commendable in all reality wether you like the style of football or not a good workman is only as good as his tools and all that :) UP THE TOWN
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derby123 added 23:02 - Mar 5 Great result. Bart again superb. Foley is really proving his worth at the moment and shows that you don't need to spend millions. Still all to play for with lots of twists and turns to come. Now to big away games coming up 4 points from these two would be a great return. Out of interest how many wins do people think we need to get play offs? I still think 8 wins are needed that would give us the same points as last season. It's a big ask but I certainly think we can do it. The beer tastes sweet tonight Coyb.

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BrettenhamBlue added 23:04 - Mar 5 Pringle and Foley are both turning out to be really good signings. Another good 3 points...let's see where this takes us.
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blueboy1981 added 23:14 - Mar 5 Another win and a clean sheet is most welcome - well done all. Have said it before - forget the hoofball, and play the game on the deck - this squad is capable of doing so much more by doing so. Signs of it today for all to see. Bart - the best keeper at the Club, as we've been saying. Good to see him in the team, right where he should be. COYB.
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robk22 added 23:22 - Mar 5 After losing 5 out of 6 games to say we are within a point of playoffs with a game in hand is remarkable. Every team goes through a slump and we still have a shot. It can only get better. No expectation on us. Let's see what happens xo COYB
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blueboy1981 added 23:23 - Mar 5 Markwill45, essex57, derby123 - and any others hanging onto your apron strings - you people can't even be happy after a win, and enjoy a Saturday evening once in a while. Cheer up you miserable so and so's - makes you wonder who really are the people who want the best for ITFC. Perhaps some of you could do much worse than look up the true meaning of being NEGATIVE.
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derby123 added 23:35 - Mar 5 Blueboy where was the negativity inomy post? I got mentioned in a post when I hadn't even posted and told to foxtrot oscar I therefore found the need to reply. As you often say everyone's entitled to an opinion. Enjoy your evening I'm certainly enjoying mine.
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essex57 added 08:00 - Mar 6 Blue boy I am always happy as you frequently tell me both my posts were positive In fact I have got 2 plus arrows☺ the third post I was defending myself from an incorrect post by Prebsa who is always ante certain people on this site. I will reiterate I am a very happy chappie today it was a great game.
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BlueMachines added 08:27 - Mar 6 The irony comes from those who openly back MM after we lose playing absolutely dire football. But whose only comment when we win is to mock/gloat/say I told you so to those who have a different opinion. No mention of a well done to the players, no mention of the improved performance, no mention of enjoying the win. Seem familiar markwill?
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atty added 08:34 - Mar 6 Forced changes. See how much difference one competent player who can keep the ball, want the ball, and play the right simple pass can make to our midfield. Great game Mr.Foley, quality performance.
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prebsa added 08:36 - Mar 6 Bluemachines spot on. Although I have to hand it to essex57 he did put a very good comment above so good to see that!
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:45 - Mar 6 Having lost against two average teams and one strong one, we have just beaten two more average teams 1-0 apiece. Against the first one we were incredibly lucky to get the points, while in the second we by all accounts just shaded it. On the face of it, nothing to get too excited about. But look at the table, and for all our hoofball and lack of game-changing players, we are one point off the play-offs. So far into the season, the table doesn't lie. It's what happens from now on that will really show whether we are just hanging on the edge or whether we can really give the more talented teams a run for their money. I doubt we can make it into the top 6, and if we do, I can't see us getting past your Hulls, Burnleys, and Brightons, or whoever; but you just never know. So let's enjoy the ride a bit longer, and let's hope we build next season on what we have now, if, as seems most likely, we are playing the Scummers in the Championship. I'd like to see an overhaul, with more emphasis on yoofs and fewer journeymen, even if some of the latter have served us well.

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hogster1970 added 09:04 - Mar 6 well here is my summary of e game. bart was awsome today with great saves which kept us in the game, MOM. back four solid but still gaps apearing and relies on the midfield to help a bit to often which means we can sit to deep. HYAM and Foley to me made the midfield, hyam his usual battling selve but showed his usual passion but does need to rein that in a bit but when he got elbowed in the face there player should have walked although he deserved his yellow card. but foley, wow hope you are watching scuse and douglas, he was always asking for the ball from either the back line or from midfiled players and he made us tick in the middle, this is were the difference is, because scuse and douglas has a tendancy to always have the back to goal and end up playing the save ball back to the defence and then you get the aimless hoof to murphy or pitman. sears was always on the run and waiting for that killer ball, unfihantly that raerly happened. twice all pitman needed to do was a simple touch and just slot a quick forward pass for sears to split the defence and he would be away on goal. i personally prefer murphy upfront with sears but we need less hoof ball when he is on the pitch as like mick mills said thats the easy option for the back 4 to use, how ever with foley in the middle this may change hopefully. and AMN come on son you had awfull body language today, you just wondered around the pitch as if you had lost a tenner, you need to assert your selve but you do have the tools in your locker, just dont become another JET please. but was great to see us play on the deck for most part of the game, we aint use to playing this way so will take time to develope. just need 3 points tuesday night now

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hogster1970 added 09:07 - Mar 6 forgot to mention pringle, he has that touch of class and make a good makeshift left winger and took his goal well, can we buy him please
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prebsa added 09:38 - Mar 6 Hogster1970. You haven't said one thing out of place. Brilliant analysis!
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Langdon_Blue added 09:59 - Mar 6 Well McCarthy seems to have worked his magic again. Two more loan signings that have certainly paid off. Foley looked a fantastic addition yesterday and Pringle scoring the winner for the second game in a row. While Boro and Burnley spend £9mil on one player each we still manage to keep in the promotion race on a shoe string thanks to the carefully selected freebies. You can't help wonder what he could achieve given some serious financial backing.

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BanksterDebtSlave added 10:02 - Mar 6 Hogster 1970...agree with the above but ideally would prefer Scuse with Foley. Scuse could carry on doing what he does protecting the back four allowing Foley to concentrate further up the pitch. To finally see someone demanding and making himself available for the ball was a godsend!! Sorry but not convinced by Hyam although I can't argue that he gets stuck in. If only we had the option to throw Bishop into the mix.

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vanmunt added 10:14 - Mar 6 Looks like injuries have been both a blessing and curse this year, losing Fraser is a blow but Bart getting in has been superb.. Midfield dynamos of Scuse and Douglas is not the best pairing but both play when fit. Sears must play down the middle and showed why yesterday. Thought it was funny the article Saturday morning from MM that hoofball was a necessity then played our best possession game for an age.. 3 points and better football, no complaints at all.

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HackneyBlue added 11:03 - Mar 6 Witchesaswell-yes you saw a different game to me,for the first time this season the centre backs linked with the midfield,Foley linked well with other midfield players and we tried to keep the ball,a lot better than the usual hoofball crap we had suffered previously. With DM,DMc,CS,TB and RF all missing i was pleasantly suprised,well done.
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HackneyBlue added 11:03 - Mar 6 Witchesaswell-yes you saw a different game to me,for the first time this season the centre backs linked with the midfield,Foley linked well with other midfield players and we tried to keep the ball,a lot better than the usual hoofball crap we had suffered previously. With DM,DMc,CS,TB and RF all missing i was pleasantly suprised,well done.
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