Jim Magilton hailed the "character, resilience and quality" of his Ipswich side after they beat West Brom 2-0 at Portman Road on Tuesday.Goals from David Wright and Jason De Vos gave them the perfect start to 2008 against the Championship leaders at Portman Road.

"In terms of the second half, that's as well as we've played for some time," said Magilton.

"In the first few minutes we had one or two chances but had a bit of a hangover from our two away games over Christmas.

"We gave them a bit too much respect. In the second half, though, we were excellent and on the balance of play deserved it.

"In a tight game we had a real go and kept a very good side quiet. Not many teams will do that this season."

Magilton hailed his two scorers - both defenders - and said: "David deserved his goal and it was a great header.

"Then Jason, who was a real doubt beforehand through injury, scored our second. He's a real man's man and always wants to play."

Ipswich's goals came in the last 15 minutes.

First, Jon Walters picked out Liam Trotter down the left and his inviting cross was met by Wright's glancing header which whistled across goal and inside the far post.

The late rally continued when they doubled their lead six minutes from time.

Gavin Williams clipped forward a free-kick and De Vos sneaked behind the Baggies defence to bury a firm header past goalkeeper Dean Kiely.

Magilton's side deserved their victory after bossing the second half and both Pablo Counago and Luis Castro Sito were denied in quick succession by Kiely.

However, the first period had been open and littered with chances for both teams. Quite how it stayed goalless at the break was a mystery.

Ipswich's best opening fell to Counago, who smashed a long-range effort against the top of the right-hand post.

At the other end, there was plenty of action too. Kevin Phillips's close-range volley was turned over by Ipswich goalkeeper Neil Alexander while Ishmael Miller headed over when unmarked at the far post before Phillips' dipping 30-yarder hit the crossbar with Alexander beaten.

Deflated Baggies boss Tony Mowbray said: "We're disappointed with the result, but I'm not going to make any excuses. We were below par.

"Ipswich deserve a lot of credit because they worked extremely hard all over the pitch, especially in midfield, to stop our fluency.

"Their league record at home speaks for itself, so obviously it's a very difficult place to come to.

"We just didn't function very well on the day but now our focus is very much on winning the next game."

Asked about the possibility of new signings in the transfer window, Mowbray added: "I'm happy enough with my squad of players and we've got competition all over the pitch."

Magilton, meanwhile, admitted having a seven-figure bid for a new player turned down.

He refused to name the player, although speculation has linked Plymouth Argyle's David Norris with the club.

Asked whether he would table an improved offer, Magilton said: "We'll see. I might do but there's other irons in the fire."

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