Town ensured that they remain in the play-off frame with a 1-0 victory over bottom placed Reading, courtesy of a 39th minute header from James Scowcroft.

Ipswich made a couple of changes to the starting line-up for this game. Mauricio Tarrico returned from suspension, with Gus Uhlenbeek making way, while Alex Mathie began on the substitutes bench, with James Scowcroft coming in for him.

The game began slowly, with the only chance of note in the first half falling to the prolific David Johnson.

The strike latched onto a Bobby Petta free kick, only to see his header striker the woodwork.

As the half progressed Keiron Dyer went close when he was put through, but the England under-21 international could not find the target. Meanwhile, for the visitors, their best chance of the first half fell to Andy Legg, but he volleyed wide after a good Reading move.

In the 39th minute though the deadlock was broken when Town took the lead. The man on target was James Scowcroft as the frontman met a Petta cross from the left and headed past Howie in the Reading goal.

There was further incident to come in the first half though, as on the stroke of half time Reading were reduced to ten men when Andy Legg was dismissed for his second yellow card.

Moving into the second half and Ipswich looked the better of the two sides, but despite looking comfortable they rarely threatened the Reading goal.

For Town Scowcroft went close to grabbing a second, but his header went over the bar, while Howie in the Reading goal had to be at his best to deny David Johnson.

As for the visitors they offered very little in attack, and to add to their problems they were reduced to nine men on 68 minutes as Andy Bernal was, like Legg, dismissed for a second yellow card.

It finished 1-0 to Ipswich though, a result that will have pleased George Burley, and keeps Town in the play-off picture.