AIDY Boothroyd gave credit to Ipswich's first half performance against his under performing side but he was a proud man after the way his boys battled back to turn over the Tractor Boys by two goals to one.

A slow start to the game for the 'Orns saw Pablo Counago put the visitors in front after goalkeeper Mart Poom's weak clearance.

For the opening stages it was all Town but a tactical half-time substitution and some wise words from the gaffer saw the Hornets coming out looking a different prospect in the second half.

Boothroyd said: "One or two needed shaking up at half time. We needed to adjust what we did tactically and thankfully we did that

"But you have to give credit to Ipswich, they were by far the better team in the first half, I was very disappointed with our first half performance.

"We were giving them presents in and around the last third during the first half. But we dug in and we came back and I would have been disappointed if we hadn't of won because of the chances that we had in the match."

Midfielder John Eustace equalised for the Golden Boys before super sub John-Joe O'Toole won it with a close range header after Richard Wright couldn't hold on to Jobi McAnuff's low drive.

Before the game the manager was handed a blow with the news that Mat Sadler couldn't play a part due to injury.

Boothroyd said: "Losing Mat Sadler was a blow, but if you give players contracts you've got to see whether they can do it or not, so Jordan Parkes came in.

"He came up against a very good player in Jonathan Walters and he had a bit of a tough time today and I just thought in the second half we needed to make better decisions, we seemed to be enjoying the sun too much in the first half."

On the penalty that might have been, the manager was honest enough to admit that he got that wrong after Tamas Priskin went tumbling in the box during the first half.

The Hornets' boss added: "I slaughtered Lee Probert at the time but looking back he was right and I was wrong.

"I am thrilled with the result and we can go in to the mini break now, we've had a lot of injured players and people carrying bumps and bruises and they need a rest."

One of those is striker Will Hoskins who was left out of the squad as a precaution following a groin injury - his place was taken by young forward Liam Henderson.  

Match winner O'Toole has a nice habit of scoring important goals for the 'Orns and the crowd certainly appreciated his effort as his name rang out around Vicarage Road.

Boothroyd added: "He drives you mad at times, he was our young player of the year last year and did great things.

"But he came back for pre-season and wasn't in shape, he's now got himself back in the side and scored two goals in a week.  

"I've never known a young player not to go off the rails, it's just how far they go off and how far you can get them back.

"For me he's sorted himself and his diet out and he's a terrific player. He's such a willing honest kid that when the ball goes in the box he might just get you a goal."

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