Crystal Palace got off to the perfect start to the new Championship season, by coming away from Portman Road with the three points following a 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town. 

It was a fine start for Peter Taylor and he will have been even more pleased with the fact that his side showed great character to stage a second half comeback after finding themselves a goal down at the break.

Goals from Jobi McAnuff and debutant James Scowcroft in the space of three minutes did the trick, but the Eagles had to withstand some severe pressure in the later stages.

With new captain Carl Fletcher impressing throughout with his passing ability and calm head, alongside fellow debutants Mark Kennedy, Leon Cort and Scowcroft, Taylor and his squad will make the trip back to London satisfied with their work on a hot afternoon in Suffolk.

However, with a particularly enthusiastic home crowd behind Ipswich, Palace had to withstand some early pressure from their hosts but some no nonsense defending from both Cort and Mark Hudson saw any danger cleared.

It was Palace who had the first clear cut chance of the game after 11 minutes though, when Clinton Morrison forced a corner after latching on to Scowcroft's through pass. Kennedy picked out Hudson with his cross and he placed a header back into the area. Scowcroft helped it on and Morrison tried to scramble it home, only to see Shane Supple desperately snatch the ball to safety.

Cort then connected with Kennedy's free kick, but his header was well saved by Supple, moments after his earlier save.

At the other end, Richard Naylor really should have given Town the lead when he found himself unmarked in the box from Darren Currie's corner kick in the 23rd minute but he could only guide his header over the bar.

Ipswich edged ahead after 30 minutes though, when Nicky Forster picked up the ball just inside the Palace half and raced at goal. He held off Hudson's challenge, before slotting a low shot into the bottom corner past Gabor Kiraly.

Peter Taylor made a change at the break, replacing Morrison with Dougie Freedman up front as Palace emerged for the second half looking determined to get themselves back in the game.

Within 10 minutes of his arrival, Freedman had caused concern to Ipswich but his audacious attempted chip was just too high to trouble Supple in the 54th minute.

Three minutes later and Palace were level, as McAnuff raced onto Scowcroft's flick-on and away down the left. He then drilled a perfectly placed shot with his left foot into the far corner to send the 2000 travelling fans wild.

Palace built on the momentum too and just minutes later, a deep cross from Kennedy found Hudson in the area, totally unmarked. He headed the ball back into the danger zone, where Scowcroft scrambled the ball home from close range against his former club.

Ipswich began to find more urgency in their play and forced a series of corners as the game went into the final 15 minutes, with substitute Alan Lee offering a more physical presence than Dean Bowditch who he replaced.

Scowcroft continued to offer a valuable outlet alongside Freedman for Palace though and he stung the hands of Supple with a low drive in the 79th minute after the Ipswich defence had stood off him for too long.

The Eagles were largely camped in their own half for the final five minutes, with one or two nail-biting moments and some last ditch clearances required as the likes of Currie continually probed with crosses into the area.

After four agonising minutes of added time, the referee brought proceedings to an end though and Palace could reflect on three hard earned points.

Ipswich Town: Supple, Wilnis, De Vos, Bruce, Naylor, Forster, Currie, Williams (Richards, 57) Peters (Haynes, 82) Bowditch (Lee, 67) Harding. Subs not used: Haynes, Clarke, Price.

Palace: Kiraly, Granville, Hudson, Cort, McAnuff, Scowcroft, Morrison (Freedman, 45) Kennedy (Watson, 82) Soares, Butterfield, Fletcher. Subs not used: Flinders, Macken, Borrowdale.

Bookings: Alex Bruce (45), James Scowcroft (84), Danny Butterfield (90).