Report: Ipswich Town 1 – 2 Hull City

With seven minutes to go at Portman Road, City were moving four points clear of third placed Watford, who at the time were losing 3-0 to lowly Peterborough United.

Having dominated for the first-half, but having seen Ipswich grow into the game during the second-half, it was hard to decide if it would be a point gained or two missed. With the game nearing its end, City forced their first corner of the second-half. The impressive Brady delivered his worse set-piece of the game, but Ipswich headed the ball straight back to the left wing back. Advancing into the area, and having created space with a step-over, Brady toe poked the ball onto the edge of the six yard box. Waiting was the recently introduced Koren who made no mistake with his header and you could see from his and the teams celebration what it meant.

A six point gap does not yet guarantee promotion but City are very well placed with the current components of the bottom three the next fixtures for Steve Bruce`s side. However, this division has told us to expect the unexpected, so City must be professional when heading to Molineux on Tuesday night. Watford face Millwall, but favourable results could see City win promotion on Friday night when current bottom side and probably relegated by then Bristol City arrive at the KC in front of the sky cameras.

For a team that had started slowly in recent games, the first half at Portman Road was dominant for the away side. Bruce, who started Bruce, Simpson and Meyler in place of Bruce, Gedo and Koren, saw his side perform from the start, forcing a side that had not conceded in over 8 hours onto the back-foot. As results went, the defeat leaves Ipswich looking over their shoulders.

Luke Chambers nearly headed past his own keeper in the first effort of the game before Hobbs shot over from a corner. City did eventually take the lead from the penalty spot after the impressive Meyler was pushed over in the area. With few recognised penalty takers on the field, it was Robbie Brady who took duties to slot the ball into the net.

City went close to adding a second, also through Brady who had two efforts saved before Boyd headed the rebound tamely at the keeper. The last chance of the half fell to Simpson who shot wide in a half thorough dominated by City, who held a deserved lead.

The second half was nothing of the same as Ipswich came out with renewed vigour, and although rarely threatening, forced an equaliser through Wordsworth who headed in a Chambers cross, overpowering Chester to head past Stockdale from close range.

Although Ipswich threatened through Murphy twice, it was City who were able to take their one further chance of note as Koren sealed the important victory from the bench. All that was left was for Matty Fryatt to make his first league start of the season as he made a welcomed return for the last few minutes.