JIM Magilton looked back over his initial season in charge at Portman Road and said: “Credit to my players for keeping going as they have had to adapt from me being a player to being their manager.

By Elvin King

JIM Magilton looked back over his initial season in charge at Portman Road and said: “Credit to my players for keeping going as they have had to adapt from me being a player to being their manager.

“We started very well, passed the ball well and kept believing after we fell behind. We got our just rewards in the end.

“I don't want the sendings off to detract from our performance. We stuck at it and Francis Jeffers produced a great finish. The introduction of Danny Haynes injected a bit of pace that proved vital.

“We controlled chunks of the game at Derby earlier in the season and didn't get our reward. This time we did.

“Our fans played their part. It was a terrific atmosphere, one of the best this season and we need that sort of backing to drive us on. The players appreciate that support.”

Magilton was particularly pleased with Jeffers: “He showed Premiership class all the way through and deserved his goal.

“He was dangerous every time he got the ball and must have had five or six shots at goal. I wasn't sure it was going to be his day but he came up with an important goal for us.”

Derby boss Billy Davies believes his side are still capable of winning promotion despite another setback.

He said: “Two individual errors cost us dearly. Two of three clubs can now gain automatic promotion and I am delighted that we are one of those with every possibility of getting over the line.”