SAM Allardyce has revealed the secret of Bolton's success - they copied Ipswich.

After seeing his side complete an excellent 2-1 win at Portman Road, the Wanderers boss rubbed salt in George Burley's wounds by admitting he had based his team plan on Ipswich's success last season.

Allardyce studied how Burley's team adapted to life in the Premiership and stole a few ideas.

It paid off yesterday when his team recorded an impressive third away win of the season.

"We have studied what teams who have got promoted from the first division have done and how we should go about the job of getting enough points to stay in this division," explained Allardyce.

"Ipswich and Charlton last year were the examples of that and we've followed them. At the minute we're doing very well by that.

"We're eighth in the table on the same number of points as Chelsea. If you had told me that at the start of the season I'd be pinching you as well as myself."

The Bolton boss was understandably ecstatic with the result, not least because it takes Wanderers to 19 points - more than they could ever have hoped for at this stage of the season and well clear of the drop zone.

"The longer we stay out of the bottom three, the less pressure we've got. It was a fantastic result for us and we are now 11 points clear of the bottom three," said Allardyce.

"We produced a very sound defensive performance and though it wasn't pretty at times, it was effective from our point of view.

"All 11 players did well. We know we are going to have to spend periods defending well and chasing the ball, especially away from home, but we did our job. At the end of the day it is about getting three points and this is another outstanding three points for us."

But Allardyce did single out the two goalscorers. Gudni Bergsson scored his first of the campaign while Michael Ricketts just can't stop hitting the back of the net.

"Bergsson was superb," enthused the boss. "He scored a very valuable 10 goals last season which is exceptionally good for a centre half. Everybody needs to notch a couple of goals when they get the opportunity and Gudni did that, from a very well-worked set play.

"Michael's goal was worthy of being the matchwinner today. His control and the execution was superb and we looked really comfortable at two up. The injury time goal we conceded put pressure on us but we defended well second half."