Match ends, Ipswich Town 1, Birmingham City 0.
IpswichIpswich Town1BirminghamBirmingham City0
Ipswich Town crept to within four points of the play-off spots with a win over Birmingham City as Daryl Murphy hit his ninth goal of the season.
Murphy had an open goal after being played in by Frank Nouble's cross.
Mick McCarthy's men had not won since 1 February but Birmingham are in greater trouble, having won just two Championship matches in 2014.
They are nine points clear of the relegation zone - but have played three more games than 22nd-placed Charlton.
Birmingham had the better opportunities early on, Lee Novak having the first real chance after a good piece of control, only to shoot wide.
But Ipswich kept at it, Nouble going close himself, before linking with Paul Taylor to set up Murphy.
Nouble's cross was so perfect, it left Murphy at the back post with a clear goal to fire into.
After the break, Ipswich looked to build on their lead, Taylor forcing Darren Randolph into a smart save, before another attempt whistled wide.
Novak missed another opportunity for Birmingham from Chris Burke's cross, before Randolph denied Ipswich sub Paul Anderson with his fingertips.
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy: "I think it was the right result - just. But I don't think we dominated Birmingham by any stretch of the imagination.
"The top five are clear and Wigan are the favourites for the sixth spot. They are ahead of us and they still have players from the Premier League last season, but we are still in there, scrapping away."
Birmingham boss Lee Clark: "We were a little toothless. We didn't have enough quality. The defence was solid and we stood up to a big physical team in Ipswich.
"We did the ugly stuff well but we didn't do enough when we had possession. We lacked that quality and I don't think we deserved anything from the game."
Line-ups
Ipswich
Formation 4-3-3
- 22Gerken
- 4Chambers
- 3Cresswell
- 8SkuseBooked at 89mins
- 6Berra
- 5Smith
- 18TabbSubstituted forHuntat 68'minutes
- 16Green
- 9Murphy
- 26TaylorSubstituted forMingsat 88'minutes
- 35NoubleSubstituted forAndersonat 52'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Loach
- 11Anderson
- 12Hunt
- 14Wordsworth
- 15Mings
- 24Richardson
- 27Ebanks-Blake
Birmingham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Randolph
- 23SpectorBooked at 60mins
- 4Robinson
- 36Huws
- 6Martin
- 14Packwood
- 31CaddisSubstituted forIbeat 45'minutes
- 20Lee
- 19ZigicBooked at 39mins
- 9MachedaSubstituted forBurkeat 59'minutes
- 12NovakSubstituted forHowardat 79'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Burke
- 8Ibe
- 10Howard
- 13Doyle
- 22Shinnie
- 24Adeyemi
- 37Blackett
- Referee:
- Keith Stroud
- Attendance:
- 15,596
Match Stats
Home TeamIpswichAway TeamBirmingham
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away1
- Corners
- Home3
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Ipswich Town 1, Birmingham City 0.
Post update
Offside, Birmingham City. Darren Randolph tries a through ball, but Nikola Zigic is caught offside.
Post update
Paul Anderson (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Brian Howard (Birmingham City).
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Foul by Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town).
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Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Aaron Cresswell.
Booking
Cole Skuse (Ipswich Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Cole Skuse (Ipswich Town).
Post update
Emyr Huws (Birmingham City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Ipswich Town. Tyrone Mings replaces Paul Taylor.
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Offside, Birmingham City. Aaron Martin tries a through ball, but Jordon Ibe is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Paul Taylor (Ipswich Town) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Luke Chambers.
Post update
Stephen Hunt (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Oliver Lee (Birmingham City).
Post update
Attempt saved. Aaron Cresswell (Ipswich Town) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Paul Green with a cross.
Post update
Hand ball by Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town).
Post update
Corner, Birmingham City. Conceded by Aaron Cresswell.
Substitution
Substitution, Birmingham City. Brian Howard replaces Lee Novak.
