Ipswich's play-off hopes were emphatically ended as they were crushed by Wimbledon at Portman Road.

Town dominated the first-half only for Neil Shipperley's fifth goal in five games gave the Dons the advantage.

Adam Nowland doubled the visitor's advantage in the second half before Darren Bent pulled one back, but a late brace from David Connolly and an Alex Tapp strike gave Wimbledon a convincing triumph.

Martijn Reuser tested Kelvin Davis from 30 yards in the ninth minute but the Wimbledon stopper was up to the task.

Joe Royle's side dominated the opening exchanges and Marcus Bent twice headed wide from corners delivered by Reuser.

Magilton again fired over the bar when well placed from Matthew Richards' cross and Marcus Bent forced a solid save from Davis.

Wayne Gray fired narrowly wide for the Dons midway through the half before Shipperley opened the scoring.

Connolly broke clear on the break and his shot was blocked by Patrick Agyemang, but the ball fell to Shipperley and he bundled home from five yards.

Ipswich immediately countered and Bent should have done better when he drilled wide from the edge of the six-yard box.

Davis kept the Dons in front when he produced a superb save to turn Reuser's 30-yard free-kick round the post.

And just a minute later Shipperley almost doubled the advantage but he saw his header come back off the woodwork.

Reuser twice went close for Town in the early stages of the second half but on the hour mark the Dons doubled their advantage.

Adam Nowland played a one-two with Shipperley and advanced into the box to coolly slot past Marshall from 10 yards.

Darren Bent went close for Town but pulled his shot from the edge of the six- yard box wide.

Bent gave Ipswich hope when he flicked home a fine header from Jim Magilton's cross 12 minutes from time.

But just three minutes later Connolly drove home from six yards to put the result beyond doubt.

Connolly then hit his second with a fine effort from the edge of the box six minutes from time after Nowland played him through.

Alex Tapp completed the rout three minutes later when he converted Shipperley's cross.

Teams:

Ipswich: Marshall, Wilnis (Darren Bent 55), Gaardsoe, Makin, Richards, Wright, Magilton, Holland, Reuser, Counago, Marcus Bent.

Subs Not Used: Bowditch, Collins, Bloomfield, Pullen.

Booked: Makin.

Goals: Darren Bent 79.

Wimbledon: Davis, Gier, Leigertwood, Chorley, Hawkins, Agyemang (Nowland 45), Tapp, Reo-Coker (Andersen 45), Gray (Kamara 74), Connolly, Shipperley.

Subs Not Used: Lewington, Gore.

Booked: Kamara.

Goals: Shipperley 28, Nowland 60, Connolly 83, 85, Tapp 88.

Att: 25,564

Ref: M Warren (W Midlands).