Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna says his side’s 2-0 win against Wanderers could be a big one in their season.

George Hirst opened the scoring on the stroke of half time, beating James Trafford with a ruthless volley following a well-worked counter attack.

The Whites had a big chance to get back on level terms early in the second half after Conor Bradley was brought down in the box, but Dion Charles was denied by Christian Walton from the spot.

Cameron Burgess doubled the visitors’ lead 22 minutes from time with a clinical header from Leif Davis’ corner.

McKenna was delighted with their performance and believes they have come a long way since the 1-1 draw at Portman Road on the opening day.

The manager explained: “It was a performance to really enjoy. Just full of determination, grit, organisation and producing and executing in the big moments when we needed to.

“That is what games like today were always going to be about. It wasn’t going to be free-flowing and a pretty game because of the conditions and the stage of the season - both teams are fighting like mad for points.

“I thought there were so many good things about our performance from a mentality point of view especially.

“Seeing the growth in the individuals and the team from where we started the season against Bolton, it is really pleasing.”

He added: “It can be a big one for the belief in the squad. We have overcome quite a few different hurdles this season, different landmarks and things the club hasn’t done before.

“To come away to a big stadium and get a victory against an opposition of this level, we have been close on quite a few occasions but we hadn’t done it yet this season.”

McKenna was also frustrated with a decision in the build-up to the penalty, but admits his side should have handled the situation much better.

“It was probably the one moment of the game, those couple of minutes, that gives us a big area to work on and learn from,” he said.

“It was a clear free kick on Wes in the build-up right in front of the linesman, the fourth official and the ref, and they didn’t give it.

“The players didn’t handle the emotion of that well enough and we didn’t defend the next couple of phases. You could still see they were angry at the decision, but we need to move on quicker.”