Ipswich Town boss Paul Cook delighted with first win as Troy Parrott's first professional goal takes all three points against Plymouth Argyle

Manager Paul Cook was delighted with the start his Ipswich Town side made in this afternoon's 1-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle at Portman Road.

Troy Parrott rounded Argyle shot-stopper Mike Cooper in the fourth minute to put Blues ahead and the forward's effort ended up being enough for the hosts to take the spoils.

The victory, Cook's first in his third game in charge, saw Town move back into the top six at the expense of Portsmouth.

But after an impressive opening half-an-hour they had to show their defensive qualities to keep Plymouth at bay.

"I'm just delighted with the players," Cook told iFollow Ipswich.

"We haven't had much time on the training pitch because of the games but for the first 30 minutes or so I thought we were excellent.

"We'd spoken about getting people higher up the pitch and creating more chances and we were by far the dominant team.

"Credit to Plymouth, though, as they grew into the game and there were a couple of times in the second half where we were hanging on.

"Overall we made a bright start and then had to see the game out which I thought we did well."

And he was delighted to see Tottenham Hotspur loanee Parrott finally get off the mark in a Town shirt to net his first professional goal.

"I'm so pleased for Troy as well. Yes I don't tend to praise individuals too much because we win as a team but he was working in some great positions this afternoon and it was great to see him get the goal."

Veteran midfielder Cole Skuse came on as a second-half substitute for Town in what was his first appearance of the season following a knee injury, and the manager welcomed his return to the side.

"It's great for everyone to see him back," Cook said.

"There's no one better to bring on to help see a game out than him. I'm delighted for him.

The Blues boss also discussed Flynn Downes' departure in the first half with what looked like a hamstring issue, and striker James Norwood missing out on the match day squad.

"Flynn is one we'll have to wait and see on. It's early days. It looked like a hamstring problem but it's difficult to say.

"James missed out because of back spasms. He's been having them for a week or so but he was struggling a bit more and we'll have to monitor what he's doing."

Twice Republic of Ireland-capped Parrott said he felt Town deserved the three points and was obviously very pleased to get his first senior goal under his belt.

"I'm delighted to get off the mark with my first professional goal," the 19-year-old told iFollow Ipswich.

"We definitely deserved to win the game as well. If you look at the chances in the first half we could have been two or three up at half-time.

"It's only natural in a game that when a team is losing they'll have a spell where they're on top and push forward but I think we dealt with them well.

"If you look back at the goal you can see my positioning and how I was trying to read where the Plymouth player would play the ball. Thankfully that's how it went. I had to get the first touch right and then the finish was easy.

"We started really well and the gaffer really wanted us to get after the opposition. We did that and then in the second half we saw it out professionally.

He added: "Like I said I'm really pleased with the goal but most importantly we got the three points. I'm confident there are more goals to come and all I'll continue to do is try and get into the right positions."

A run of three away games begins for Town on Tuesday when they take on 14th-placed Fleetwood Town in Lancashire (7.45pm).

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