Ipswich keep play-off hopes alive as they come from a goal down to win the East Anglian derby

Danny Haynes made one and scored one as Ipswich boosted their play-off hopes with a 2-1 win over East Anglian rivals Norwich City.

The promotion-chasing Suffolk side came from a goal down to secure victory in the derby clash.

It was a match dominated by Town but City took the lead in the fifth minute through a stunning Ched Evans strike.

The forward, on loan from Manchester City, drilled the ball into the bottom left corner from 25 yards after Ipswich lost the ball in midfield.

But the hosts hit back in the 12th minute through a bizarre own goal from City centre-back Alex Pearce.

Pearce diverted a drilled Haynes' cross into his own net from six yards as he attempted to clear.

Ipswich then went ahead in the 39th minute when Haynes latched on to a Pablo Counago through ball to convert past City goalkeeper David Marshall.

Town could have been further ahead by half-time but were kept at bay by a succession of saves from Marshall and a host of squandered chances.

After 17 minutes, the Scottish international foiled Shefki Kuqi, who had been played in by Counago.

Alex Bruce also saw a powerful header kept out by Marshall following an Alan Quinn corner in the 32nd minute, while a 25-yard Tommy Miller free-kick was pushed away in the 14th minute.

Kuqi, who returned following a four-week lay-off with a hamstring injury, lasted only 36 minutes of his comeback.

He limped off to be replaced by Jonathan Walters, who was also returning from injury.

In first-half injury time, Counago had a great chance to extend Town's lead but he headed a Haynes cross over from six yards.

It was a similar story in the second half, with Haynes, Counago and Walters all missing clear openings.

In the 59th minute, Haynes dragged his shot wide from six yards after being set up by Counago.

Walters also shot wide in the 77th minute from 10 yards and Counago punched the ground in frustration after Marshall tipped his curling shot round the post six minutes from time.

Norwich threatened rarely but had a claim for a penalty in the 85th minute when Darren Huckerby went down under a challenge from Town's Danny Simpson, who is on loan from Manchester United.

City midfielder Darel Russell shot wide from the edge of the box in the second half but the visitors failed to test Stephen Bywater.

Boss Glenn Roeder sent centre-half Gary Doherty up front in the closing stages but they could not find an equaliser.

Watched by 29,656 fans, the win moved Ipswich into seventh place - within a point of Crystal Palace.

Daily Mail