Doncaster Rovers 0 Ipswich Town 3

Ipswich moved into the Championship play-off places after two goals from David McGoldrick and another from Luke Chambers earned victory at Doncaster.

McGoldrick and Town captain Chambers headed home from corners in the first half, exposing flimsy defending.

Mark Duffy then saw a 25-yard free-kick tipped onto the crossbar for Rovers.

McGoldrick grabbed his second when he again had far too much space in a dangerous position, sliding home after Daryl Murphy's low centre.

A lifeless Doncaster, whose injury worries were obvious in some of their haphazard defending, have now won just once in 12 league games.

Ipswich gave notice of their aerial threat when McGoldrick met a Ryan Tunnicliffe cross from the left, but his header lacked any power.

It proved a sighter for Town's top marksman as he picked his spot when allowed a free jump at Aaron Cresswell's corner.

With Ipswich's second corner of the match, they were 2-0 up, an unmarked Chambers converting Tunnicliffe drifted cross.

Rovers would have pulled a goal back before the break but for Dean Gerken, the Ipswich goalkeeper making good ground to push a 25-yard Duffy free-kick, headed for the top corner, onto the crossbar.

McGoldrick deservedly grabbed his second, sliding home from Murphy's cross.

Murphy was denied a goal by Ross Turnbull moments later when through one-on-one, with Frank Nouble's follow up offside.

Turnbull got down well to prevent McGoldrick's hat-trick as Doncaster's resistance went limp.

When the hosts did get in behind, skipper Richie Wellens chose the wrong option, passing across goal when he could have shot at an exposed Gerken.

McGoldrick missed two more chances for his hat-trick before being replaced on 83 minutes.

Chambers almost completed a memorable Boxing Day for Town fans when he burst into the area but his shot flashed wide in the closing moments.

Doncaster manager Paul Dickov:

"We can work on tactics and formations but you can't legislate for two player switching off at a set-piece. Especially against a big, physical team - you can't expect to come back from that.

"It was far too easy.

"I've been loathe to blame the injuries in recent weeks but it is taking its toll. We want to stay in this division, I still believe we will do that comfortably."

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy:

"Recent performances have been good but this league is so bonkers.

"You can have that good run and get into the top three but then you can lose three easily on the bounce.

"Doncaster beat Leicester here and QPR here - that's the league."

BBC Sport