[Mighty T.A.L.]

Walters winner for Ipswich

Ipswich Town went level on points with Coventry at the top of the Championship thanks to a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Portman Road.

Jim Magilton's side were the stronger throughout and were rewarded with a goal from Jonathan Walters on 72 minutes which continued their 100 per cent home record to start the season.

After a quiet opening 30 minutes, the game came to life with just over ten minutes remaining in the first half when Neil Alexander made an excellent save diving to his left to keep out Stuart Green's free-kick.

Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni was at the centre of a controversy just before the break when he handled outside his area after a moment of madness which saw him race out of his goal to chase down Alan Lee near the right touchline.

The Ipswich fans were calling for Speroni to be shown a straight red card, but following consultation with his assistant, referee Andy D'Urso decided just to book the Argentine.

From the resulting free-kick Tommy Miller sent a shot curling just wide while on the stroke of half-time Gary Roberts and Green forced comfortable low saves out of Speroni and Alexander respectively and Pablo Counago flashed a shot across goal.

Lee was attempting to score in each of the first four games of the season and he saw a shot saved on 63 minutes when he found space to send an effort on goal after some neat close control inside the Palace box.

Miller fired a volley wide before Ipswich finally made the breakthrough with 18 minutes left in match, with Walters stealing in front of his marker and heading home Roberts' cross at the back post.

James Scowcroft had a chance to get an equaliser against his former club but could not direct his header on target from Mark Kennedy's corner in the final minute.

Ipswich substitutes Billy Clarke and Danny Haynes could have both added a second in stoppage time but Speroni made a superb double save to keep out the two youngsters with reaction stops.

Skysports