Jack Clarke brace against Bristol City helps Ipswich go second in Championship

A brace from Jack Clarke helped move Ipswich up into second spot in the Championship table and made it four league wins on the trot after downing play-off chasers Bristol City 2-0 at Portman Road.

Town leapfrogged Middlesbrough by a point who play on Wednesday, while they remain eight off table toppers Coventry, who won at home to Millwall 2-1, but have a game in hand on both Boro and the Sky Blues.

Town struck after eight minutes, with Clarke’s low effort into the bottom corner of the goal his ninth goal of the season.

Jens Cajuste spun in the City half and fed the winger who darted inside and finished across City’s Czech goalkeeper Radek Vitek from inside the penalty area.

The Robins had a wonderful opportunity to level the scores in the 19th minute after a dreadful defensive lapse.

Christian Walton played the ball out to Cedric Kipre but his attempted pass was diverted by Scott Twine and fell at the feet of Danish striker Emil Riis but Walton made a fine stop.

The stadium erupted in the 27th minute when former Town skipper Sam Morsy, who led Ipswich to consecutive promotions from League One and the Championship and who signed for City from Kuwait FC earlier this month, came on to replace Zak Vyner.

Wes Burns’ superb cross-field pass found Ivan Azon whose strike from just outside the penalty area grazed the roof of the net as Town pressed for a second goal.

And Vitek miraculously tipped over a shot from Azon, to prevent Ipswich from going 2-0 ahead.

Burns pulled the ball back and Cajuste’s shot was blocked but the ball spun loose and Azon fired at goal from four yards out but Vitek somehow reacted amazingly and tipped the ball over the bar.

Twine back-heeled the ball into the path of Riis but he fired straight at Walton and Anis Mehmeti, who Town are reportedly interested in signing in the January window, fired a fierce shot which was punched clear by Walton.

Town stretched their lead in the 55th minute when Azon picked up a headed clearance from Dara O’Shea and squared to ball to Clarke who fired past Vitek.

City pressed to get a foothold in the match and Neto Borges’ shot flew just beyond the far post.

Kasey McAteer almost made it 3-0 when he attacked the near post but Rob Dickie just got to the ball first to concede a corner.

And as the game drew to a close Sinclair Armstrong appeared to be fortunate to escape a red card when he clashed with O’Shea in the penalty area and Vitek stretched to deflect a shot from Ashley Young.