Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna knows this afternoon's 1-0 win at MK Dons was 'really important'.

Sam Morsy's fine 26th minute goal proved the difference as the Blues backed up last weekend' 4-0 home win against Forest Green Rovers.

It's the first time Town have won successive league games since late October and their first win on the road since November 19.

And the gap to the automatic promotion places has been cut to five points thanks to Plymouth's 5-2 defeat at Peterborough.

"It was a really important win for us," admitted McKenna. 

"It was important that we backed up last week's win and important that we won away from home - a couple of things that we haven't done for a while.

"First half was even. We did some good things and some things we can improve on. I do think we're an improving team integrating new players.

"But the skip produces a big, big moment for us.

"The second half was a really dominant and excellent performance.

"Look, anyone who was at the game knows that it should have been a bigger scoreline and we should have been more clinical to kill the game.

"On the other hand we've had some 4-0s, we've had some blow outs, so coming through a tight 1-0 away from home, where you have some tension and anxiety, maybe might end up being more beneficial to us."

On Morsy's winner, McKenna said: "It's a nice interception, he drove forwards and it's a great strike. It's a great captain's goal.

"It was a really big moment from him. We need that. In the last 13 games we need our big players to step up with big moments.

"Samy's led the way with that today. His performances probably go under the radar a little bit if I'm honest.

"He's been so consistent all season in two different roles. He's played with different partners. When Lee (Evans) has been fit he plays one way, then when he's with someone else he slots into another role.

"He drove us on today as he does so many weeks. His goal epitomised him. It was a really good all-round performance from him."

After naming an unchanged team for only the second time this season, McKenna said: "We've played an unchanged team the last three times we've won in the league. We had FA Cup games in between those matches though, so we rotated the team for that. So that narrative is a bit off for me. It's not that unusual for us.

"As I've said lots of times before, we look at our team, our form, the opposition, who's going to be suitable and we felt that was the right team for today.

"The boys did well and the subs who came on did well."

With Massimo Luongo replacing Cameron Humphreys at half-time, the Blues boss said: "He was always going to get maybe 30. We're building him up and Cameron has been playing terrific really.

"The tipping point was the (Humphreys) yellow card right before half-time because they've got such good one-v-one dribblers through the middle of the pitch.

"Of course Samy is on nine yellows, so he's being controlled at the minute. So that's why we moved the substitution forward a little bit sooner than planned."

With Town backed by close to 7,000 fans at Stadium MK, McKenna said: "I love it! It started from when we got off the bus - I think that gave the players a big boost.

"They were fantastic all the way through the game and that gave us a big advantage. We're just glad we could get them the away win for all the times they've been following us this year."

With Town having now kept three successive clean sheets, McKenna said: "That's going to be the bed rock for us over the last 13 games.

"I think that's partly why I was more calm after Bristol Rovers (0-0 away draw) than some because I know if you go away from home and get a clean sheet then it's always something to build on.

"We have built on that. That's two clean sheets in a row away from home now. We have to continue with that. That's the responsibility of the whole team as always."

Town now have quickfire home games against lowly duo Burton and Accrington coming up. 

"To have two home games coming up Saturday-Tuesday is something we have to attack," said McKenna.

"We have to be pleased tonight, but come in next week looking at the things we can improve, be hungry and go again."

When McKenna was informed of Plymouth's defeat and his side closing the gap on the top-two, he replied: "I did hear the scorelines.

"Look, we have to focus on ourselves. There are other teams in the driving seat and the pressure's on them to be honest.

"We've probably been written off by some for certain positions. 

"We've just stayed focused on us all the way through and will let the other ones worry about the pressure and where they are.

"We'll just take it game-by-game."