Ipswich manager Jim Magilton hailed his side as "outstanding" after they boosted their play-off chances with a 2-0 win over Charlton.The Blues fired themselves back up to eighth in the table after a tricky spell which has seen them pocket just two points from a possible 12.

However, this precious victory against one of their main rivals was a welcome tonic and Magilton said: "It gives us a lot of confidence.

"Sometimes after a bad run you don't know where your next win is going to come from, but there's so much character in our dressing room.

"The players knew this was a big game and they stood up to the plate. Now we've just got to carry on winning.

"We've got eight games left and have nothing to lose but everything to gain.

"I'm the first person to criticise the players and give an honest assessment when we play badly, but today I thought we were outstanding.

"We showed so much character and desire and, to a man, worked hard. We got our just rewards and were good value for 2-0."

The bad news for Ipswich was a hamstring injury to new signing Shefki Kuqi.

The former Blues star, who re-signed on Friday, came off the bench but had to be stretchered off within 15 minutes.

Ipswich had taken the lead in fortunate circumstances - even Magilton admitted it was a slice of luck - through Owen Garvan.

The Irishman picked up the ball wide on the left and lashed over a powerful cross which flew into the net off the far post.

Town were good value for the their lead, with Alan Lee narrowly off-target twice and Charlton goalkeeper Nicky Weaver alert to deny both Alex Bruce and Pablo Counago.

Lee was also convinced he had won a penalty, after appearing to be tripped by Darren Ambrose.

However, the referee disagreed and booked him for diving.

The hosts continued to press after the break and grabbed their second seven minutes after the restart through Danny Haynes.

The substitute volleyed home from the edge of the box, after a corner was only partially cleared into this path.

Charlton had three goals disallowed and went close when Greg Halford headed against the bar after a corner by Ambrose.

Boss Alan Pardew said: "We're very disappointed because we controlled large sections of the game.

"I couldn't fault the attitude or applications of my players but things just didn't go our way.

"We've played a lot worse than that and won.

"But there's enough character and resilience in the dressing room to bounce back - we've just got to keep on working hard.

"I'm buoyed by the fact there were some good performances from us today and the truth is that we still carry a major threat - and by that I don't just mean finishing in the play-offs, I mean to go up."

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