NICKY Forster has pledged to maintain the scoring habit that has been Ipswich's trademark since Joe Royle arrived as manager.Forster opened his Blues account in a 3-0 win at Cambridge United last night.

NICKY Forster has pledged to maintain the scoring habit that has been Ipswich's trademark since Joe Royle arrived as manager.

Forster opened his Blues account in a 3-0 win at Cambridge United last night.

The former Reading marksman linked up well with fellow newcomer Sam Parkin at the Abbey Stadium and took his goal superbly.

The success of Forster's partnership with ex-Swindon star Parkin could be the key to Royle's side having another serious tilt at promotion back to the Premiership.

“The initial signs are good,” said 31-year-old Forster. “We linked up well and it was a promising start.”

Forster's pace may not be of the Darren Bent class, but it was still too much for a Cambridge team relegated to the Conference last season to handle.

And with Parkin showing a good aerial threat Royle appears to have got the mix right in his search for successful successors to Bent and Shefki Kuqi, who both left the club for the top flight during the summer.

“Both Sam and I know we are under a bit of pressure,” added Forster. “Darren and Shefki scored over 30 goals between them last season and they were the fans' favourites.

“We have a lot to live up to, but we are sure we can keep the goals flowing. We are under no delusions about the class act we are following.

“We were shown a presentation this week of last season's games, and Darren and Shefki featured so prominently.”

Dean Bowditch scored Town's other two goals in a game where the visitors used their senior side in the first period and a much younger outfit after the interval.

“It would have been great to have set up a goal for Sam,” said Forster. “I was a bit sloppy after one run down the left flank, when I should have found him with a square pass.

“We combined well though, and it was a joy to get playing again. I had a lot of time on the ball and after all the running of the previous ten days it was enjoyable to get into the action.”

Bowditch failed to find his best scoring touch for most of last season, and his two goals can only be a plus for a teenager who is likely to be pushing Forster and Parkin for a first team place.

Ipswich continue their pre-season schedule with a visit to Boston on Saturday before a near-full house is expected for the visit of Glasgow Rangers to Portman Road on Tuesday.