SPARKLING Spaniard Pablo Counago wrecked Walsall and said: "We've got to take it on and on."The former Celta Vigo man fired in twice on Saturday as Ipswich Town made it five games unbeaten with a 3-2 triumph.

By Dave Allard

SPARKLING Spaniard Pablo Counago wrecked Walsall and said: "We've got to take it on and on."

The former Celta Vigo man fired in twice on Saturday as Ipswich Town made it five games unbeaten with a 3-2 triumph.

How Portman Road is a home, sweet home for the dashing 23-year-old front man.

All the 13 goals for the Blues' top marksman this term have come on Suffolk soil.

Counago's latest brace helped lift Joe Royle's side almost to mid-table in the Nationwide League First Division table as the play-off push dream was kept alive.

"It was a great result – a very important win," said Counago.

"We were a bit nervous at 2-0 and 3-1 up and Walsall came back into it, but we held out for all the points in a match where we could have had more goals."

The former Spanish Under-21 international added: "I felt a bit tired at the end as we've had a hectic spell of games, but I was very happy that we had won again."

Town's hectic spell continues on New Year's Day as the Blues bid to continue the move towards a possible Premiership launchpad with a home fixture against Millwall.

Counago said: "It's so important that we keep winning, at home especially. We've had a big crowd again. They were fantastic."

The 26,550 turn-out saw Counago open the scoring just before half-time. Shortly before the hour mark the home team made it two.

Once again it was head-man supreme, Thomas Gaardsoe, doing the honours.

The happy Dane's header means that the defender has now scored with an aerial assault in each of Town's last three matches.

Darren Wrack quickly pulled one back for Walsall but Counago struck to make it 3-1 with six minutes of normal time remaining.

However, back came Wrack to set up a tense finale with a late, late second goal for the Saddlers.

Town completed a double over Colin Lee's team as they won 2-0 at the Bescot Stadium on the opening day of the campaign.

While Ipswich were winning, so were New Year's Day opponents Millwall. Mark McGhee's men were in grand away form, racing to a 3-1 victory over Rotherham at Millmoor.