Hull moved above Ipswich in the Coca-Cola Championship thanks to second-half goals from Nick Barmby and Craig Fagan at a Baltic KC Stadium.

The home team produced the better standard of football all evening but were consistently betrayed by their final ball into the penalty area until Barmby concluded a well-worked move with a good right-footed finish after 56 minutes.

The Hull-born playmaker's goal - his fifth of the season - was ample reward for a disciplined home performance which was as robust as it was enterprising, particularly after the interval.

Indeed, the game was all over as a contest after 70 minutes when Fagan side-footed Hull into a commanding position that a poor Ipswich team where never going to recover from.

Although Joe Royle will point to the backbone of the side that reached last season's play-offs having left Portman Road in the summer, these are worrying times for Ipswich supporters.

Royle's men were second best in all areas of the field and were arguably undone by their lethargic start, which enabled Hull to enjoy plenty of possession in the opening exchanges.

Ipswich improved marginally as their renowned passing game moved up the gears but Hull continued to boss proceedings and carved out the best chance of the first half when the unmarked Leon Cort brought a good save from Shane Supple.

Ipswich supporters who made the long trek to East Yorkshire were finally given something to cheer when Ian Westlake fizzed a low shot from the edge of Hull's penalty area just wide of Boaz Myhill's left post shortly after the restart.

But five minutes after Billy Paynter screwed a left-foot shot high and wide, Barmby scored the goal his side's efforts fully warranted.

Jason Price's cross was headed into the path of Ryan France by Barmby, who in turn collected the return pass deep inside Ipswich's penalty box. The former England international needed just one touch before slamming the ball past Supple and into the right-hand corner of the net.

Any hope Ipswich had of an ill-deserved comeback was gone 20 minutes before full-time when the impressive Price careered down the right flank before sending an angled cross to Fagan at the back post.

The former Colchester striker will not be gifted an easier opportunity of scoring all season and registered his third goal in five games with a simple finish from two yards.

Paynter should have made it 3-0 10 minutes later when his weak header was cleared off the goalline by an Ipswich defender.

Worryingly for Ipswich supporters, a third goal would have been a fair reflection of Hull's dominance - and the visitors' lifeless approach from the outset.

Teams

Hull Myhill, France, Cort, Collins, Dawson, Price (Lynch 79), Andrews, Delaney, Barmby (Elliott 90), Paynter (Woodhouse 88), Fagan.

Subs Not Used: Leite, Green.

Booked: France.

Goals: Barmby 56, Fagan 70.

Ipswich Supple, Wilnis, De Vos, Naylor, Sito, Currie, Magilton (Garvan 83), Juan, Williams, Westlake (Richards 66), Forster (Haynes 27).

Subs Not Used: McDonald, Price.

Att: 20,124

Ref: C Oliver (Northumberland).