THANKS to Alan Quinn's sore ankle and Danny Haynes' sore nose, Ipswich Town collected their second away Coca-Cola Championship victory of the season at Crystal Palace last night.

Elvin King

THANKS to Alan Quinn's sore ankle and Danny Haynes' sore nose, Ipswich Town collected their second away Coca-Cola Championship victory of the season at Crystal Palace last night.

The Blues were back to their best, and fully deserved to strengthen their top-six position with a 1-0 victory.

It was a thoroughly professional job by Jim Magilton's side and confirmed that the manager's transfer window signings have made his team far more resilient on their travels.

Haynes proved the match-winner with a 45th minute goal, but although the three points were fully merited the method of victory was fortunate - on two counts.

Firstly Quinn turned his left ankle over in the warm-up. He had first felt some discomfort before the home defeat by Watford on Saturday, but appeared okay to keep his place and was named on the team sheet.

Thanks to the agreement of Palace manager Neil Warnock, Town were able to confirm with the referee that a team switch could be made after the official deadline.

So in came Haynes raring to go. And the second piece of good fortune was that the ball deflected off Haynes' nose into the net.

“I saw Richard Naylor set himself for a volley,” recalled Haynes today.

“He sent it my way, and my reflex reaction was to try and direct it into the goal.

“I am sure the effort was going wide, but after it came off my nose and lower forehead it flew straight into the net.

“The ball ended where I wanted it to, but I have to admit it was a lucky goal in a deserved win. It has left my nose a bit sore.”

“I did not know until just before the off that I was playing, so I said to myself to go out there and enjoy yourself.”

Haynes can see further away wins coming from this new-look side in which Macedonian international Velice Sumulikoski made a very impressive full debut and Naylor was outstanding at the back in his first start since the 2-0 defeat at Selhurst Park over one year ago.

“Having broken our away duck at Sheffield Wednesday and having seen our unbeaten home league run come to an end the pressure is now off us,” said Haynes.

“We can go out and play. We knew the importance of last night's game, and there was an extra buzz around the squad.

“Our back four were magnificent and they deserve most of the praise. But I like to think that everybody contributed right around the park.”

Quinn was limping quite heavily as he joined his team mates on the coach for the trip home, and Haynes could well keep his place when Blackpool visit Portman Road on Saturday.

A window in the coach was reportedly broken when the Town party left Selhurst Park - a sour end to a great night for Ipswich Town who had 2,000 fans cheering them on in south London.