IPSWICH boss Joe Royle today praised his back-up troops after the Town reserves romped to their biggest win of the season.Young striker Dean Bowditch claimed a hat-trick, fellow teenager Sam Morrow netted twice and experienced front man Alun Armstrong was the other marksman as Fulham were beaten 6-1 last night.

IPSWICH boss Joe Royle today praised his back-up troops after the Town reserves romped to their biggest win of the season.

Young striker Dean Bowditch claimed a hat-trick, fellow teenager Sam Morrow netted twice and experienced front man Alun Armstrong was the other marksman as Fulham were beaten 6-1 last night.

The rout followed on from the 5-1 thrashing of a young Nottingham Forest side at Portman Road a week earlier, when Armstrong took the scoring honours with a triple blast.

Steve McCall's team have now won three games in a row, netting 14 goals for the loss of only one, to end a run of seven games without a victory.

See tonight's Evening Star for full story