Leicester City came from behind to keep alive their play-off hopes with a rare away win against mid-table Ipswich.

Jason Scotland put the hosts ahead in the 43rd minute of an entertaining game when he neatly controlled Lee Bowyer's pass and calmly fired the ball home.

But Ben Marshall levelled just before half-time with a long-range free-kick.

The Foxes improved after the break and David Nugent headed in the winner to take City to within three points off the top six with four games remaining.

Ipswich will consider themselves unfortunate not to have gone into the break ahead having had much the better of the first 45 minutes.

Scotland forced a decent stop from Kasper Schmeichel, who then pulled off an even better stop to tip Grant Leadbitter's 30-yard free-kick around the post.

Jermaine Beckford was twice guilty of wasteful finishing for Leicester but the hosts were still on top.

Scotland was a constant menace and had three openings before he finally broke the deadlock.

Marshall's fierce 35-yard free-kick made it 1-1 almost immediately and seemed to affect Town after the break.

City grabbed the winner when Nugent headed home after his initial effort was saved and they eased to victory with the minimum of fuss.

Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell:

"In the first half we played well. We were in the ascendancy and far superior, with lots of crosses and shots.

"To concede an equaliser in the manner we did, right on half-time, was a real kick in the teeth and we didn't seem to recover.

"We laboured, got stretched and went out with a whimper. The equaliser gave them a lift. They picked up their tempo in the second half.

"Leicester are a very good side and if they don't go up this season, I'd say they're certainties to go up next season, with the squad they've got."

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson:

"It's a great result for us. We've lacked consistency all season. There's very little margin for error but we've put ourselves in a position where we're still in with a shout.

"That's pleasing and if we can go into the last game of the season with something to play for we'll be pretty happy.

"All in all, the season hasn't really panned out the way we hoped but we're still in with a chance."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Ipswich

  • 12 Lee-Barrett
  • 03 Cresswell
  • 05 Delaney
  • 20 Smith
  • 22 Carson (Emmanuel-Thomas - 58' )
  • 06 Leadbitter
  • 07 Edwards
  • 08 Bowyer
  • 16 Stevenson (Martin - 66' )
  • 14 Scotland
  • 27 Murphy (Chopra - 73' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Wright
  • 31 Sonko
  • 09 Emmanuel-Thomas
  • 11 Martin
  • 10 Chopra

Leicester

  • 01 Schmeichel
  • 02 Peltier
  • 03 Konchesky
  • 06 Bamba
  • 26 Morgan
  • 11 Dyer (Gallagher - 46' )
  • 16 Drinkwater (King - 46' Booked )
  • 19 Wellens
  • 20 Beckford
  • 22 Marshall (Howard - 79' )
  • 35 Nugent

Substitutes

  • 12 St Ledger
  • 10 King
  • 27 Schlupp
  • 07 Gallagher
  • 09 Howard
Ref: Bates
Att: 18,282

Match Stats

Shots

17 12

On target

7 7

Corners

10 2

Fouls

3 5

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:32 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +3:46

Unfair challenge on David Nugent by Grant Leadbitter results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Wes Morgan.

90:00 +2:34

Effort by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas from a long way out goes over the target.

90:00 +2:34

Effort on goal by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas from long range goes harmlessly over the bar.

90:00 +1:43

The ball is crossed by Paul Konchesky, save made by Arran Lee-Barrett.

90:00 +0:46

Centre by Paul Konchesky, save made by Arran Lee-Barrett.

88:58

Paul Konchesky delivers the ball, clearance made by Damien Delaney.

86:50

Andy King crosses the ball, save by Arran Lee-Barrett.

84:32

Jermaine Beckford is caught offside. Free kick taken by Arran Lee-Barrett.

81:57

Grant Leadbitter takes a shot from 30 yards. Souleymane Bamba gets a block in.

81:25

Unfair challenge on Aaron Cresswell by Paul Gallagher results in a free kick. Aaron Cresswell crosses the ball in from the free kick, Andy King manages to make a clearance.

78:04 Substitution

Substitution Steve Howard on for Ben Marshall.

78:04

Effort from outside the penalty area by Damien Delaney goes wide left of the goal.

77:16

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas fouled by Paul Konchesky, the ref awards a free kick. Carlos Edwards crosses the ball in from the free kick, Souleymane Bamba makes a clearance.

76:25

Shot from long range by Grant Leadbitter goes wide of the left-hand post.

75:07

The ball is swung over by Lee Martin, save by Kasper Schmeichel.

73:08

Long range shot by Jermaine Beckford goes wide right of the goal.

72:07 Substitution

Substitution Michael Chopra replaces Daryl Murphy.

69:41

Inswinging corner taken by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Effort on goal by Damien Delaney from deep inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

69:00

The ball is delivered by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, clearance made by Souleymane Bamba.

65:17 Substitution

Substitution Ryan Stevenson leaves the field to be replaced by Lee Martin.

61:44

Corner from the left by-line taken by Ben Marshall, Lee Peltier takes a shot. Save by Arran Lee-Barrett.

57:02

Paul Gallagher provided the assist for the goal.

57:02 Substitution

Substitution Jay Emmanuel-Thomas on for Josh Carson.

57:02 Goal scored

Goal - David Nugent - Ipswich 1 - 2 Leicester David Nugent scores a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Ipswich 1-2 Leicester.

56:11

David Nugent takes a shot. Save by Arran Lee-Barrett.

55:08

The ball is sent over by Richie Wellens. Corner taken right-footed by Ben Marshall, Paul Gallagher takes a shot. Arran Lee-Barrett makes a save.

54:37

Andy King gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Arran Lee-Barrett. Arran Lee-Barrett takes the free kick.

54:08 Booking

Booking Andy King is shown a yellow card.

52:13

Shot by Grant Leadbitter from outside the box goes high over the target.

51:29

Jason Scotland takes a shot. Blocked by Wes Morgan. Corner taken by Grant Leadbitter from the left by-line, Andy King manages to make a clearance.

50:26

Jermaine Beckford takes a shot. Blocked by Tommy Smith.

50:14

Josh Carson crosses the ball, save by Kasper Schmeichel.

49:24

The offside flag is raised against Ryan Stevenson. Kasper Schmeichel takes the free kick.

48:36

The ball is crossed by Ben Marshall, Grant Leadbitter makes a clearance.

47:54

The ball is swung over by Paul Gallagher.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution (Leicester) makes a substitution, with Andy King coming on for Daniel Drinkwater.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Lloyd Dyer goes off and Paul Gallagher comes on.

45:00 +2:45 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

45:00 +1:52 Goal scored

Goal - Ben Marshall - Ipswich 1 - 1 Leicester Free kick scored by Ben Marshall. Ipswich 1-1 Leicester.

45:00 +0:57

Josh Carson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ben Marshall.

42:55

Assist on the goal came from Lee Bowyer.

42:55 Goal scored

Goal - Jason Scotland - Ipswich 1 - 0 Leicester Jason Scotland finds the net with a goal from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Ipswich 1-0 Leicester.

40:04

Centre by Jermaine Beckford, clearance made by Carlos Edwards.

39:29

Outswinging corner taken by Grant Leadbitter, clearance by Lee Peltier.

38:20

Grant Leadbitter sends in a cross.

37:47

Corner from the left by-line taken by Lee Bowyer, Souleymane Bamba makes a clearance.

36:33

Centre by Lee Bowyer.

34:28

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Grant Leadbitter, David Nugent makes a clearance. Corner from the right by-line taken by Grant Leadbitter, Souleymane Bamba makes a clearance. Left-footed shot by Aaron Cresswell went wide right of the target.

34:20

The ball is delivered by Carlos Edwards, Souleymane Bamba manages to make a clearance.

33:56

David Nugent takes a shot. Save by Arran Lee-Barrett.

32:48

Centre by Daryl Murphy, save by Kasper Schmeichel.

31:32

Jermaine Beckford takes a shot. Save by Arran Lee-Barrett.

30:26

Shot from inside the area by Damien Delaney clears the bar.

28:45

Effort on goal by Ryan Stevenson from just inside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the target.

27:53

Josh Carson takes a shot. Save by Kasper Schmeichel.

27:39

Paul Konchesky crosses the ball, save made by Arran Lee-Barrett.

26:23

Shot by Jermaine Beckford from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.

25:25

Ryan Stevenson is ruled offside. Kasper Schmeichel takes the free kick.

24:06

Aaron Cresswell produces a cross, clearance made by Lloyd Dyer. Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Grant Leadbitter, clearance by Daniel Drinkwater.

23:33

Centre by Carlos Edwards, Lee Peltier manages to make a clearance.

21:37

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Grant Leadbitter, Daniel Drinkwater makes a clearance.

19:28

Paul Konchesky challenges Josh Carson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Carlos Edwards.

18:35

Jason Scotland produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.

17:43

Jermaine Beckford takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.

16:59

Lee Peltier is ruled offside. Arran Lee-Barrett takes the indirect free kick.

14:19

Unfair challenge on Ryan Stevenson by Souleymane Bamba results in a free kick. Grant Leadbitter produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick, Kasper Schmeichel makes a save. Corner from the left by-line taken by Grant Leadbitter, save by Kasper Schmeichel.

12:56

Josh Carson produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.

12:01

The ball is swung over by Aaron Cresswell, Wes Morgan manages to make a clearance. Corner taken right-footed by Grant Leadbitter from the left by-line, save made by Kasper Schmeichel.

11:39

The ball is delivered by Carlos Edwards, clearance by Lee Peltier.

6:30

David Nugent produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses wide left of the target.

5:57

Jason Scotland produces a drilled right-footed shot from 25 yards. Save by Kasper Schmeichel.

5:10

The offside flag is raised against Jermaine Beckford. Free kick taken by Arran Lee-Barrett.

4:46

Josh Carson takes a shot. Save by Kasper Schmeichel.

1:29

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Wes Morgan by Daryl Murphy. Kasper Schmeichel takes the direct free kick.

1:00

The referee blows for offside. Arran Lee-Barrett restarts play with the free kick.

0:00

The game begins.

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