Tommy Miller scored his sixth penalty of season as Ipswich stumbled to victory over struggling Cardiff at Ninian Park.

Cardiff boss Lennie Lawrence has instilled a determined work ethic in his side as they try to maintain their Coca-Cola Championship status for another season and that was evident throughout the opening 45 minutes.

But the visitors upped the tempo after the break and despite a late Cardiff rally, the points head back to Portman Road.

Lawrence named the same side that started the 1-1 draw at Coventry with midfielder Lee Bullock continuing to partner teenager Cameron Jerome up front.

Ipswich manager Joe Royle was forced to make one change to the team that hammered Nottingham Forest 6-0 with Darren Currie coming in for injured skipper Jim Magilton in midfield.

Ipswich went into the game full of confidence following their mauling of Gary Megson's side but Cardiff have lost only one of their last six Championship games on home soil.

They started the stronger and Lee Bullock went close with a header in the opening minute and Richard Langley's free-kick flashed wide of the post when it only needed a touch from someone in the crowded Ipswich penalty area.

First-half chances were few and far between as the hard-working Bluebirds refused to give Ipswich time to play.

It took the Tractor Boys until 10 minutes before the break to manage a shot on target but Darren Bent's effort from distance was well held by Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Alexander.

The visitors finished the first half stronger than they started it but they could not find a way through the well-organised home defence although Shefki Kuqi was denied by Alexander.

Ipswich defender Fabian Wilnis had the first chance after the break. He made space for himself to have a shot from the edge of the area but the ball was deflected into the arms of Alexander.

Currie was unlucky with a volley before the visitors went ahead on the hour mark.

Wilnis beat two defenders on the right-hand side and played the ball into Miller and after a clever turn his progress was halted by a foul by Danny Gabbidon. Miller picked himself up and made no mistake from the spot for his 12th goal of the season.

The hosts should have hit back straight away but Jobi McAnuff was denied by a smart stop from keeper Kelvin Davis after racing through on goal.

Bullock tried to haul his side back on level terms but he got little change out of the Ipswich rearguard and was denied by an excellent saving tackle by Richard Naylor with 15 minutes left.

The Bluebirds piled forward in the closing stages but Ipswich held on for the points that keep them three adrift of top two Wigan and Sunderland.

Teams

Cardiff Alexander, Weston, Gabbidon, Collins, Barker, Langley (Fleetwood 74), Ledley, Inamoto (Koskela 74), McAnuff, Bullock, Jerome.

Subs Not Used: Margetson, Vidmar, Williams.

Booked: Inamoto, McAnuff.

Ipswich Davis, Wilnis, De Vos, Naylor, Unsworth, Richards, Miller, Currie, Westlake, Bent (Horlock 86), Kuqi (Scowcroft 57).

Subs Not Used: Counago, Juan, Price.

Booked: Naylor.

Goals: Miller 62 pen.

Att: 11,768

Ref: R Olivier (W Midlands).