Ipswich continue their automatic promotion charge with victory at Sheff Wed

Ipswich climbed up to third in the Sky Bet Championship as goals from Ivan Azon and Jack Clarke earned them a 2-0 victory over relegated Sheffield Wednesday.

Both goals came inside the final 15 minutes as the Tractor Boys moved above Millwall and to within two points of Middlesbrough with a game in hand.

Wednesday are without a win since September and fell to a 28th defeat of the season, with the Owls still waiting to taste success at Hillsborough this campaign.

The visitors started the game on the front foot as George Hirst and Clarke both had efforts on goal, before Anis Mehmeti forced the strongest save out of Pierce Charles when he twisted and turned in the box to create an opening.

Wednesday grew in confidence without causing too many problems until Sean Fusire drilled a low shot towards the bottom corner, which was held by Christian Walton 10 minutes before half-time.

Ipswich came again before the break through Sindre Walle Egeli, only for the winger to miscue his strike which was eventually fumbled behind for a corner.

From the resulting set-piece, Darnell Furlong’s header was cleared off the line by Svante Ingelsson after returning Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves won the first contact at the far post.

The slow nature of the match continued after the break, the next chance coming through Wednesday’s in-form striker Jerry Yates, who forced a corner before seeing a shot blocked behind after Jamal Lowe’s neat touch.

Ipswich then had the best chance of the game so far with only 15 minutes remaining. Substitutes Jack Taylor and Azon combined well through the centre, with the Spanish striker failing to get his poked strike on target as the home side survived.

Azon would soon make up for his wasted moment soon after in the 78th minute. Ben Johnson’s inswinging cross from the right fell to his feet and he made no mistake as he turned in from close range for his fifth goal of the season.

Three minutes later, the visitors won a penalty when referee Tom Reeves pointed to the spot after Clarke went to ground under the challenge of Fusire.

Ipswich top goalscorer Clarke brushed himself down to take the kick himself, dispatching to the goalkeeper’s right from 12 yards to ensure the visitors would enjoy a comfortable ending to the contest.

It would be his 13th goal of the season, with the away side ending a run of successive draws and extending their unbeaten run to six matches.