Ipswich Women want strong finish after avoiding drop

Kit Graham (right) is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur [Getty Images]

Ipswich Town manager David Wright says securing their WSL 2 status for a second season is no more than the team deserve.

Town made certain of their second-tier survival with a 3-0 win at Birmingham City, who were top of the table before kick-off.

All three goals came inside the opening 16 minutes, two from Kit Graham either side of one by Princess Ademiluyi.

And the defence performed heroically to keep a clean sheet in a game in which Birmingham had 27 goal attempts.

"The amount of pressure they put on us, I thought the girls were absolutely outstanding," Wright told the club website.

"They've got a real desire to get better and it's an absolute pleasure (to come into work) and for them to get what they deserve, I'm over the moon for them."

Ipswich were bottom of the table when Wright took charge on an interim basis in January, but such has been their improvement that he was confirmed in the role last week.

Having won promotion last season, they are now six points clear of bottom club Portsmouth with just one game to play on Saturday - at home to Sunderland at their Colchester base.

"I don't want it to finish with a whimper," said Wright.

"We'll prep properly for the game - a good, strong finish to the season always gives you a nice springboard into the next season, so that's what we'll be looking to do - we're not going to take our foot off the gas, their behaviours and attitude to work is second to none."

• Interim boss Wright given Ipswich job full-time