Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says tonight's comfortable 4-0 home win against Morecambe is only the first first small step towards his promotion-chasing side gaining some powerful momentum.

Freddie Ladapo and Conor Chaplin both scored twice in the first half as the Blues cut the gap on inactive League One leaders Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday.

"It was a really good performance - individually and as a team," said McKenna. "We were dominant in all aspects really. We got the early goal and pushed on from there.

"We would have liked more goals in the second half, but the clean sheet was important.

"It's a good result and good performance. It's the first step towards building some momentum but only the first step.

"We have the break with the FA Cup now (at home to Burnley on Saturday), which we look forward to, and then it's a big game at Cambridge United."

East Anglian Daily Times: Freddie Ladapo celebrates after putting Ipswich Town into a first minute lead.Freddie Ladapo celebrates after putting Ipswich Town into a first minute lead. (Image: Steve Waller)

He continued: "I think we've consistently performed to a really high level. I don't think there's been many occasions where our performances have been too far off.

"Sometimes it's dictated by the opposition. Tonight we're playing in good conditions to play football and Morecambe have come to be positive and play a football match because they've won three games in a row.

"We don't get that every week, which is fine. It's not always in our control what the flow of a game looks like.

"We have to keep finding different types of performances and different types of qualities in different types of games. 

"The challenges that we face week-by-week are varied and it doesn't always look like today. It's up to us to keep coming up with the solutions.

"Tonight was a night we enjoyed, it's a positive step towards gaining some momentum, but it's no more than that. It's one small step."

MORE: Andy Warren's player ratings following 4-0 home win against Morecambe.

On tonight's goalscorers, McKenna said: "I thought Freddie was excellent. I think he's improving all the time. He's showing me, he's showing everyone really, that you can improve right the way through your career.

"He's come here at 29-years-old and he's a different player than he was six months ago. His all-round game and understanding of his role is improving all the time.

"Conor gets another couple of really good goals that he likes to get after really good moves by the team.

"It's good for them two, but there were good performances all over the pitch.

"I thought the defenders were excellent. To a man really it was a strong performance."

With Harry Clarke and Nathan Broadhead both impressing on their first starts for the club, McKenna said: "Both showed why we've brought them here.

"It was a good night for Harry making his (full) debut for his hometown team in front of his family. He settled into the team straight  away, as we were confident he would do. He showed his qualities and also showed some areas where he has to improve. We'll work with him on that.

"Nathan showed his qualities too. He showed what he can bring as a footballer, as a goal threat and as a creator.

"He can also improve and I'm sure will get stronger and develop with us."

McKenna made five changes to the team that had started last weekend' 2-1 defeat at Oxford United, with Richard Keogh and George Edmundson replacing Luke Woolfenden and Cameron Burgess in central defence.

"Richard and George have been training well, played well against Rotherham and played well against Morecambe in the reverse game.

"Richard dealt with Cole Stockton really well in the away game. He's such a strong striker with his back to goal and there are not many defenders around who can cope with him, but Richard excelled in that area.

"We felt that was right for tonight. Richard is so experienced and we thought his leadership would help Harry on his debut too."