JASON De Vos is backing skipper Jim 'Magic' Magilton to lead Ipswich Town into the Premiership.The Canada international defender took over the captain's armband at the start of last night's1-1 draw at Preston that stretched Ipswich's lead at the top of the Championship table to six points before this afternoon's games.

JASON De Vos is backing skipper Jim 'Magic' Magilton to lead Ipswich Town into the Premiership.

The Canada international defender took over the captain's armband at the start of last night's

1-1 draw at Preston that stretched Ipswich's lead at the top of the Championship table to six points before this afternoon's games.

Town were outplayed in the first period in a match shown live on satellite television, but the introduction of Magilton as a second-half substitute helped to turn the match and the visitors enjoyed much more of the play.

De Vos said: “Jim makes us tick and after the interval we were able to get our full-backs more into the game.

“This was down to Jim who made a big difference and it was a great substitution. He helped to win us a point that was very important to us and he can help us collect a lot more in the coming weeks.

“On the face of it, a draw is a good result against an in-form team, but we did not want to settle for that.

“We did not play well and that is the third game in a row where we have not been at our best.

“Other teams are gaining more knowledge on the way we play and they are putting pressure on us and not giving us time to pass the ball around as we would like.

“It is up to us to sort it out and we will do this on the training ground.”

De Vos and his central defensive partner Richard Naylor had busy evenings while right-back Fabian Wilnis caught the eye with a good performance culminating in the pass that led to Tommy Miller scoring his eighth goal of the season in the 69th minute.

It was his first league goal since November 2 and equalised a 36th minute strike for David Nugent, who came into the Preston team to play up front in place of Patrick Agyemang, who was left out after 14 consecutive starts.

James Scowcroft, making his second Ipswich debut on his return to the club, worked hard but was booked - his fifth caution of the season.

Ipswich aim to get the referee to look at the video as they feel that the caution for a foul on Chris Sedgwick was harsh.

Town have two home games next week and it remains to be seen whether Scowcroft will be eligible for the Tuesday contest with Watford and next Saturday's encounter with Queens Park Rangers.

Scowcroft picked up a slight calf injury while Ian Westlake also took a knock but is expected to be fit after sustaining a gash to his Achilles.