Inspired by the recalled Darren Bent, Town shrugged off a shock first-half equaliser to score twice in seven minutes to settle the match and move back up to fourth place.

Shefki Kuqi headed over and Bent shot wide in a largely quiet start, while Paul Evans saw Bradford's best effort - his 25 yard shot - deflected over.

On loan Nico Vaesen made a good low save to deny Kuqi but he could only watch when the Finish International's 25-yard volley flashed into his top corner on 28 minutes.

Kuqi had a header cleared, Bent scuffed a shot straight at Vaesen and Tommy Miller shot narrowly over as Ipswich dominated.

In a rare Bradford break, Ronnie Wallwork almost fed Dean Windass, but in added time, Windass was on hand to nod home a Wallwork cross after Town's defence failed several times to clear.

The home side immediately regained the lead though, Bent crossing for Ian Westlake to fire home, although a furious Bradford had three players booked for dissent, all claiming Bent fouled Mark Bower in the build up.

Bent gave Town a two-goal cushion on 52 minutes with a stunning curling strike from the edge of the box, which Vaesen appeared to let go thinking it was going wide.

From then on, Bradford pushed men forward, leaving them extremely vulnerable to the frequent home counter attacks.

Bradford thought they were back in it on 70 minutes, substitute Danny Cadamarteri touching home after a quick free-kick move caught Ipswich napping, but he had strayed offside.

Town should have won by a wider margin, missing several good chances, the worst when Kuqi missed an open goal after robbing a dithering Vaesen.

Nationwide