IN-FORM striker Alan Lee helped put a smile back on the faces of Ipswich Town followers with his fifth goal in six games at Southend on Saturday.And after a timely 3-1 Championship success at Roots Hall the 28-year-old said: “I have never been this happy throughout my career.

By Elvin King

IN-FORM striker Alan Lee helped put a smile back on the faces of Ipswich Town followers with his fifth goal in six games at Southend on Saturday.

And after a timely 3-1 Championship success at Roots Hall the 28-year-old said: “I have never been this happy throughout my career.

“My former club Cardiff might be top of the table, but I would not change anything for the world.

“I am so settled and feel fitter than I have for a long while.

“I love scoring goals, and it was nice to kill the game off with the third goal.”

After three consecutive defeats, Town needed to get back on track and they took advantage of Southend's inadequacies to do just that.

“It was a derby with Southend up to produce an upset,” added Town's top scorer Lee. “We knew it would be tough, and we turned in a thoroughly professional performance.”

And talking about his goal - that added to a header from Billy Clarke and a 20-yard volley from Sylvain Legwinski - Lee said: “It was one of those chances that are made more difficult because you have time to think about things.

“The ball arrived just behind me and after getting it under control I was able to drill it under the keeper.

“We do hurt when we lose and we do analyse our defeats.”

Town lost three players through injury, although keeper Lewis Price's hip injury is unlikely to rule him out of Sunday's

televised home game against Luton Town.

Manager Jim Magilton will have a dilemma whether to stick with 19-year-old deputy Shane Supple or start with Price.

Jon Macken was replaced by Clarke after 22 minutes and Mark Noble lasted until the 75th minute before Simon Walton took his place.