IPSWICH Town recorded their first victory under boss Paul Lambert when they held on to pip Wigan Athletic 1-0.

Freddie Sears scored their precious winner midway through the second half.

Reporter Matt Plummer dishes out his ratings and gives his verdict on the Blues players.

DEAN GERKEN 7

THE keeper saved his best until last, hurling himself to his left to turn Reece James' free-kick round the post. It was a heart-stopping moment, with just two minutes plus stoppage time remaining.

JORDAN SPENCE 6

NOT one of the better performers, once again giving the ball away too easily, too often. Perhaps fortunate to have kept his place in recent weeks.

LUKE CHAMBERS 7

DOGGED and determined at the back, putting his body on the line during a frantic finale. Played a key role in his side holding out, despite being under pressure in the closing minutes.

MATTHEW PENNINGTON 8

TOWN'S star man and hard to remember him putting a foot wrong. The defender won plenty in the air, made numerous important tackles and interceptions and his distribution out of defence was excellent. Very deserving of the clean sheet.

JONAS KNUDSEN 5

DISAPPOINTING, again. The Dane missed an early chance at the far post but most alarming was his distribution, which continues to be sloppy. He gave the ball away two or three times in the first ten minutes and, unfortunately, that set the tone for his afternoon.

JON NOLAN 7

THE midfielder was neat and tidy, especially early on. The reality is that he probably wouldn't be playing if Cole Skuse was fit. However, he appears to be grabbing his opportunity.

TREVOH CHALOBAH 7

TWO moments early on summed up the Chelsea loanee's afternoon, slipping and gifting possession but then spinning in his own half and driving forward. He made two or three surging runs and had a hand in the goal, sending a cross into the box.

FLYNN DOWNES 7

HAD some eye-catching moments early on but faded and no surprise to see him withdrawn early in the second half.

JACK LANKESTER 6

THE impressive youngster made his first home start and clearly has a bright future. This wasn't his day, though, and, again, and it was no surprise to see him replaced just after the hour-mark.

JORDAN ROBERTS 6

HARD to fault his effort or work-rate but the striker doesn't pose the threat or have the presence you'd expect from your main striker.

FREDDIE SEARS 7

SEARS is flourishing under Lambert and his match-winning goal was his fifth in seven games, since the Scot took charge at Portman Road. It was scrappy and fortunate but they all count. Sears also missed a chance early on when he blazed over from a one-on-one position.

SUBSTITUTES

GWION EDWARDS (for Lankester, 62)

Didn't make much of an impression in his half-hour on the pitch.

ANDRE DOZZELL (for Downes, 72)

A COUPLE of neat touches but no real impact.

KAYDEN JACKSON (for Roberts, 89).

NOT USED:

Bialkowski, Bishop, Nsiala, Kenlock.