Michael Chopra helped ease Ipswich's relegation fears as his second-half strike secured victory over Blackpool.

Substitute Chopra fired in from 12 yards for his fifth goal of the season after good work by Guirane N'Daw.

Tiago Gomes hit the post in the first half for the Seasiders with Ipswich goalkeeper Stephen Henderson turning away Alex Baptiste's goalbound cross.

N'Daw also cleared Baptiste's header as Ipswich moved four points clear of the drop zone.

The result condemned Blackpool caretaker-manager Steve Thompson to a fifth defeat in his seventh game in charge.

Mick McCarthy's Ipswich, who had won only one of their previous six league games, secured back-to-back victories at Portman Road, while Blackpool remain six points clear of the bottom three after only two wins in 10 Championship matches.

Ipswich's Carlos Edwards and Blackpool's Chris Basham both fired off target in the opening exchanges, with Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks doing well to hold David McGoldrick's effort from the edge of the area.

Despite that chance, Blackpool went closest to taking the lead two minutes later when Gomes was denied his first goal for the Seasiders as his right-footed shot from inside the area hit the post.

Gomes then turned provider as Matt Derbyshire and Kirk Broadfoot went close with headers from the Spaniard's corners, while Daryl Murphy tested Gilks at the other end with a rasping drive.

Kirk Broadfoot limped out of the action shortly after the restart and Ipswich capitalised on uncertainty in the Blackpool defence when N'Daw played a long ball, which Chopra ran on to and steered a shot, left-footed, into the bottom corner.

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy: "It was a horrible, scrappy, scruffy, ugly, magnificent 1-0 win.

"I'm not bothered how we get them as long as we get the points to keep us in this league.

"We need everyone scrapping and they we're all doing that."

Blackpool caretaker manager Steve Thompson: "We always said the first goal was going to be massive.

"The Tiago Gomes one was a great chance. He hit the post and if he'd pulled it back Matt Derbyshire had an open goal.

"I'm not saying it makes or breaks the game, but it could have been very important."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (5)

Ipswich Town

  • 13 Henderson
  • 03 Cresswell
  • 04 Chambers
  • 05 Stearman
  • 20 Smith
  • 07 Edwards
  • 08 N'daw Booked
  • 14 Wordsworth (Chopra - 35' )
  • 19 Hyam
  • 16 McGoldrick (Nouble - 69' )
  • 27 Murphy

Substitutes

  • 12 Lee-Barrett
  • 02 Hewitt
  • 06 Kisnorbo
  • 17 Drury
  • 10 Chopra
  • 25 Mclean
  • 35 Nouble

Blackpool

  • 01 Gilks
  • 03 Crainey
  • 15 Baptiste
  • 17 Basham
  • 20 Cathcart
  • 42 Broadfoot (Wabara - 48' )
  • 07 M Phillips
  • 08 Gomes (Ince - 62' )
  • 31 Angel
  • 12 Taylor-Fletcher (Delfouneso - 71' )
  • 38 Derbyshire

Substitutes

  • 21 Halstead
  • 04 Wabara
  • 16 Ferguson
  • 18 Osbourne
  • 11 Ince
  • 40 Delfouneso
  • 41 Eccleston
Ref: Robert Madley
Att: 16,673

Match Stats

Shots

11 9

On target

5 4

Corners

2 7

Fouls

8 7

Live Text Commentary

93:24 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +1:58

Guirane N'Daw gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tom Ince. Matt Phillips crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, clearance by Guirane N'Daw. Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Matt Phillips, save by Stephen Henderson.

90:00 +0:14

The official flags Chris Basham offside. Stephen Henderson takes the free kick.

89:16

Nathan Delfouneso delivers the ball, clearance made by Aaron Cresswell.

87:39

Daryl Murphy is adjudged to have handled the ball. Free kick crossed left-footed by Tom Ince, save made by Stephen Henderson.

86:18

The ball is crossed by Nathan Delfouneso, clearance by Richard Stearman. Chris Basham takes a shot from 25 yards. Luke Chambers gets a block in.

85:01

Foul by Stephen Crainey on Michael Chopra, free kick awarded. The ball is delivered by Carlos Edwards, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Daryl Murphy goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

84:20

Nathan Delfouneso gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Richard Stearman. Free kick taken by Stephen Henderson.

83:17

Stephen Crainey crosses the ball.

82:22

Stephen Crainey produces a cross, Tom Ince takes a shot. Luke Hyam gets a block in. Matt Derbyshire is ruled offside. Stephen Henderson restarts play with the free kick.

80:18

Chris Basham takes a shot. Aaron Cresswell gets a block in.

78:42

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Matt Phillips, Alex Baptiste takes a shot. Guirane N'Daw makes a clearance.

77:33

Matt Gilks takes the free kick.

77:33 Booking

Booking Booking for Guirane N'Daw.

77:28

Guirane N'Daw gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Chris Basham.

76:42

Reece Wabara delivers the ball, Stephen Henderson makes a save.

76:16

Frank Nouble concedes a free kick for a foul on Angel Martinez. Alex Baptiste takes the free kick.

75:59

Chris Basham delivers the ball, Stephen Henderson makes a save.

75:47

Nathan Delfouneso sends in a cross, Luke Hyam makes a clearance.

74:43

Foul by Guirane N'Daw on Tom Ince, free kick awarded. Reece Wabara takes the direct free kick.

71:11

Luke Chambers fouled by Tom Ince, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Stephen Henderson.

70:41 Substitution

Substitution Nathan Delfouneso is brought on as a substitute for Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

69:17

The ball is crossed by Aaron Cresswell, blocked by Chris Basham. Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Aaron Cresswell played to the near post, clearance made by Angel Martinez.

68:08 Substitution

Substitution Frank Nouble on for David McGoldrick.

67:05

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gary Taylor-Fletcher by Richard Stearman. Stephen Crainey delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing, clearance by David McGoldrick.

63:47

Aaron Cresswell crosses the ball, blocked by Reece Wabara.

62:22

The assistant referee flags for offside against Matt Derbyshire. Stephen Henderson takes the indirect free kick.

61:33 Substitution

Substitution Tom Ince joins the action as a substitute, replacing Tiago Gomes.

59:24

Chris Basham challenges Carlos Edwards unfairly and gives away a free kick. Aaron Cresswell crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, clearance made by Alex Baptiste.

55:42

Matt Derbyshire is caught offside. Free kick taken by Luke Chambers.

54:34

Chris Basham fouled by Daryl Murphy, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Tiago Gomes.

54:05

Aaron Cresswell takes a shot. Clearance by Stephen Crainey.

53:14

Unfair challenge on Richard Stearman by Tiago Gomes results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Stephen Henderson.

51:08

David McGoldrick produces a cross, save by Matt Gilks.

49:02

Assist by Guirane N'Daw.

49:02 Goal scored

Goal - Michael Chopra - Ipswich 1 - 0 Blackpool Michael Chopra gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Ipswich 1-0 Blackpool.

48:26

Luke Hyam delivers the ball, Chris Basham manages to make a clearance.

47:39 Substitution

Substitution Kirk Broadfoot leaves the field to be replaced by Reece Wabara.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +2:06 Half time

Half Time The referee calls an end to the first half.

45:00 +1:52

Daryl Murphy takes a shot. Save by Matt Gilks.

45:00 +0:22

Outswinging corner taken by Tiago Gomes, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Kirk Broadfoot goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

44:50

Centre by Matt Phillips, Luke Chambers makes a clearance. The ball is sent over by Alex Baptiste, Tommy Smith manages to make a clearance.

43:39

The ball is crossed by Alex Baptiste, Tommy Smith manages to make a clearance. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Tiago Gomes, Aaron Cresswell manages to make a clearance.

41:59

Centre by Matt Derbyshire.

39:29

The ball is swung over by Tiago Gomes, Aaron Cresswell manages to make a clearance. Corner taken by Tiago Gomes from the right by-line played to the near post, Matt Derbyshire has a header from close in and clears the crossbar.

37:07

Luke Chambers concedes a free kick for a foul on Chris Basham. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Stephen Crainey from left channel, clearance by Carlos Edwards.

36:01

Guirane N'Daw delivers the ball.

34:34 Substitution

Substitution (Ipswich) makes a substitution, with Michael Chopra coming on for Anthony Wordsworth.

34:34

Aaron Cresswell crosses the ball, Kirk Broadfoot makes a clearance.

28:29

The ball is swung over by Daryl Murphy, save by Matt Gilks.

26:55

Effort from inside the box by Tiago Gomes strikes the post. Alex Baptiste produces a cross, save by Stephen Henderson. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Tiago Gomes from the right by-line, Kirk Broadfoot has a headed effort at goal from just inside the area that misses to the right of the goal.

25:20

The ball is sent over by Aaron Cresswell, Effort on goal by Luke Hyam from just inside the penalty area goes over the target.

23:09

David McGoldrick takes a shot. Save by Matt Gilks.

22:02

Carlos Edwards takes a shot. Matt Phillips gets a block in.

21:18

The ball is delivered by Daryl Murphy, clearance by Craig Cathcart.

20:31

Centre by Carlos Edwards, clearance by Alex Baptiste.

20:04

The offside flag is raised against Matt Phillips. Stephen Henderson restarts play with the free kick.

18:33

Tiago Gomes concedes a free kick for a foul on Richard Stearman. Anthony Wordsworth delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, clearance by Stephen Crainey.

17:38

Shot on goal by Daryl Murphy from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

17:00

Matt Derbyshire is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Stephen Henderson takes the indirect free kick.

16:04

Effort on goal by David McGoldrick from just inside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the target.

13:43

Carlos Edwards fouled by Stephen Crainey, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Stephen Henderson.

13:12

Unfair challenge on Gary Taylor-Fletcher by David McGoldrick results in a free kick. Matt Gilks takes the direct free kick.

13:12

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gary Taylor-Fletcher by David McGoldrick. Direct free kick taken by Matt Gilks.

10:21

Centre by Carlos Edwards, Effort from deep inside the area by David McGoldrick misses to the left of the target. Corner taken by Anthony Wordsworth, Kirk Broadfoot makes a clearance.

8:10

The assistant referee signals for offside against Matt Derbyshire. Indirect free kick taken by Stephen Henderson.

6:34

The ball is delivered by Matt Phillips, clearance by Carlos Edwards. Corner taken right-footed by Tiago Gomes from the right by-line, Chris Basham produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the crossbar.

4:50

Matt Phillips produces a cross.

4:27

Carlos Edwards delivers the ball, Craig Cathcart manages to make a clearance.

3:47

Matt Derbyshire is adjudged to have handled the ball. Stephen Henderson restarts play with the free kick.

2:25

Carlos Edwards takes a shot from a long way out which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

1:51

The assistant referee signals for offside against Matt Derbyshire. Stephen Henderson restarts play with the free kick.

0:00

The match has kicked off.

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