Dean McDonald's first goal for Ipswich gave Joe Royle's side's play-off hopes a major shot in the arm as they extended their unbeaten run to eight matches with a 2-1 win at rock-bottom Crewe.

A fourth goal of the season from Steve Jones - a first in since the Alex last won in November 17 matches ago - gave Dario Gradi's side a 16th-minute lead.

But just under four minutes later that was cancelled out by a fourth goal in six matches by Alan Lee, who limped out of the action and was replaced by McDonald before the break.

And six minutes after the interval the 19-year-old beat his man and bent a precise shot inside the far post to give the Tractor Boys a decisive advantage and earn them a third straight win on the road.

The picture continues to look grim for the Alex, well adrift at the bottom following their eighth defeat in nine matches in a game that never really got going.

Even though Ipswich shaded matters it was a tepid start, with the early action seeing a Richard Naylor cross run over the Crewe six-yard line and Jason De Vos heading a Darren Currie free-kick over the crossbar.

The bustling Luke Rodgers had the first real chance for the home side in the 10th minute, beating Fabian Wilnis and De Vos in a 70-yard run before firing wide of Shane Supple's goal.

Just a couple of minutes later Jones' low effort was tipped around the post by the Town goalkeeper.

And in the 16th minute the improving hosts took the lead. Jon Otsemobor's short pass sent Rodgers into the area and his low cross was stabbed home by Jones from close-range.

That advantage proved short-lived, however, with Lee making no mistake with a header from around five yards, pouncing on Matthew Richard's hooked ball into the box.

The Alex almost regained the lead when a Kenny Lunt free-kick flashed past Gareth Taylor only for Richard Walker to fire over.

Despite losing Lee to injury, the visitors once again established their dominance in the closing stages of the opening period but could not find a second goal, with Jimmy Juan just thwarted when Alex goalkeeper Ross Turnbull tipped over his free-kick.

Jones almost added a second within two minutes of the re-start, volleying over after Otsemobor's cross was headed away by De Vos.

In the 53rd minute, McDonald gave the visitors the lead with a finish of real class.

Richards' long cross-field ball picked the diminutive youngster out at on the left corner of the box, he jinked past Otsemobor and curled his shot in off the far post.

Stephen Foster almost got Crewe level again with headers from two Lunt set-pieces but was kept out by Supple, who later pulled off a scrambling save from Taylor.

At the other end, McDonald and Juan missed further chances for the visitors, who never looked like losing their lead.

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