Huddersfield 2 Ipswich 1: Safety not certain just yet, warns wary Powell

Huddersfield Town manager Chris Powell (Picture: James Hardisty).

Nahki Wells and James Vaughan scored first half goals which earned Town their first win in eight matches.

On-loan former Leeds United striker Luke Varney reduced the deficit early in the second half for Ipswich, but Huddersfield held on for a fine victory.

When asked about safety, Powell said: “No, no, no, don’t you even go there. We’ve got to keep going until it’s mathematically certain.

“We’ve got two away games and two big games at home before Blackpool on the last day and I hope we carry this on for the next five games.”

He added of his team’s display: “It was a first-class performance and arguably the best since I’ve been manager. To do that after we played less than 48 hours ago (at Sheffield Wednesday) is a testament to my players.

“The energy levels, movement and the way they took the game to Ipswich made me proud to be their manager.”

Powell also praised his goalscorers, saying: “They’re two very good players who gave Ipswich problems from minute one.

“They dovetailed terrifically, brought others into play and the way they got in behind them allowed Sean Scannell to do what he’s good at.”

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy was left irate as his team’s promotion hopes were dented.

McCarthy said of his players: “I had to walk off to calm down when normally I’d shake their hands at the end.”

He added: “Some strong words were said at half-time and full-time but I’ve never thought screaming and shouting does any good. I just don’t see people responding to that and it can be counter-productive. We were very poor, but when you say that it takes away from the other team. Huddersfield played well.”

Huddersfield Town: Smithies, Smith, Hudson, Lynch, Scannell (Wallace 90), Coady, Gobern, Butterfield,J ames, Vaughan (Lolley 90), Wells (Edgar 83). Unused substitutes: Duane Holmes, Carroll, Allinson, Majewski.

Ipswich Town: Bialkowski, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Fryers, Chaplow (Bishop 46), Skuse, Tabb (Williams 67), Murphy, Varney, Wood (Sears 46). Unused substitutes: Gerken,Anderson,Stephen Hunt,Clarke.

Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland).