LEE Martin is today celebrating his first Ipswich Town goal - nearly a week too late.

Elvin King

LEE Martin is today celebrating his first Ipswich Town goal - nearly a week too late.

He revealed that he got the final touch to the Blues' early goal in the 1-1 home draw against Nottingham Forest last Tuesday.

The 22-year-old former Manchester United midfielder put the Blues ahead in the 79th minute in the 3-3 Championship draw at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

Substitute Quinton Fortune equalised five minutes later to give Town manager Roy Keane the unenviable record of overseeing the worst Ipswich start since 1964/65 when Jackie Milburn was struggling to follow in the illustrious shoes of Sir Alf Ramsey as Portman Road boss.

Failure to beat Rovers means that Sir Bobby Robson, whose glorious life is being celebrated in a thanksgiving service at Durham Cathedral today, had an effectively better 1969/70 record as after a run of six defeats and one draw he enjoyed a home win over Newcastle.

Milburn led Town to three draws in their opening eight games - one less point than this campaign.

Martin confirmed that he has set himself a goal target although he is keeping the number to himself.

He said: “I promised goals when I came and it was nice to get on the score sheet.

“I got the last touch last Tuesday when Grant Leadbitter's effort spun off me into the net.

I'm happy to let him have it and will not be going to the dubious goals committee.

“If you ask Granty I'm sure he'll let on the truth, but it made Saturday's goal more pleasing for me.

“To be honest I can't remember much about it. I stood there in case the ball found me, and when it went into the net I thought it was going to bring us three points.

“We vitally needed three points, but it was still a move in the right direction.

“We might not be the best footballing team at the moment, but we are slowly getting there.“

Ipswich suffered no injuries and have a midweek break before taking on Newcastle United at Portman Road on Saturday when the north stand will be renamed in the memory of Robson.