Goal in injury time saves Knights

IT wasn’t quite an ugly win but the Ipswich Knights made hard work of their second victory of the Division 1 season.

A goal in injury time by late replacement Phil Brown gave the Knights a crucial 2-1 success over Grange Thistle at Lanham Park.

However, coach Billy Livingstone was far from satisfied with Saturday night’s effort.

“We should have probably won 3 or 4-1,” Livingstone said.

“We played some good football from the back but our final attacking options weren’t great.”

Knights speedster Matt Savinni scored Ipswich’s first goal about 15 minutes into his debut as a starting player.

After being level 1-1 at halftime, the Knights only wrapped up the three points when Brown came on late.

The skilful Brown wasn’t going to play due to soreness.

However, the gamble to use him late paid off as he deflected in the winning goal just before the final whistle.

The Knights also started with Ben Hunt and Peter Hinks who passed fitness tests on Saturday.

However, Hunt was replaced in the second half with Pat Boyle moving into a central defender role alongside Stephen Hughes.

Livingstone was concerned his players went to sleep after dominating the first half.

However, it was the missed chances – including two strikes that hit the crossbar – that concerned Livingstone most.

“We played enough good stuff to avoid an ugly win but we weren’t at our best.”

The Knights Reserves also scored a winning goal in injury time to remain unbeaten from four matches.

Farron Nielson netted the late goal to give the Knights a 3-2 win.