Matt Richards converted a late penalty to secure Ipswich a potentially priceless victory in their quest to make the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs.

Michael Ricketts' renaissance continued as the former England striker struck the opening goal to hand Burnley an interval lead.

But Alan Lee, a recent £150,000 signing from Cardiff, drew Ipswich level after 62 minutes before defender Richards netted the winner from the spot with just seven minutes remaining.

Burnley's misery was compounded by the late dismissal of defender Wayne Thomas as Ipswich leapfrogged Steve Cotterill's men and extended their unbeaten run to seven matches.

It was Burnley who had began the brighter and they wasted no time driving the Tractor Boys deep inside their own half.

Gifton Noel-Williams fired narrowly wide from 20 yards before Ricketts, on loan from Leeds, tested Ipswich goalkeeper Shane Supple barely 90 seconds later.

The contest quickly developed a competitive edge and Ian Westlake was booked for unsporting behaviour after 10 minutes, and then came close moments later with a shot from distance.

Burnley saw Thomas follow Westlake into the book - again for unsporting behaviour - as tensions began to mount.

With 17 minutes on the clock the visitors should have stolen ahead but for a bad miss by Ricketts.

Jon Harley delivered a perfect cross from the left flank but Ricketts could not direct his header on target from just six yards.

Westlake then tested Clarets keeper Brian Jensen from distance while Ricketts had a 12-yard volley blocked by Richard Naylor shortly before the half-hour mark.

Lee was then denied by the woodwork after 41 minutes before Ricketts stroked the ball home from 12 yards to edge Burnley ahead.

It was the former Bolton man's second goal in as many games following his recent switch from Elland Road, and continued his revival after a horrendous couple of years in which he has scored only 20 goals since winning his solitary England cap against Holland in February 2002.

Ipswich fought back in the second half and Lee fired home Darren Currie's left-wing cross from six yards to draw the Tractor Boys level.

Royle's men continued to attack with vigour and they were rewarded in the closing stages when a spell of concerted pressure saw Thomas dismissed for a second bookable offence before Richards claimed the winner from the spot.

Michael Duff fouled the impressive Lee and Richards stepped up to fire home his fourth goal of the season.

Ipswich Supple, Wilnis, De Vos, Naylor, Barron,Westlake (Sito 45), Juan, Garvan, Richards, Lee, Currie.

Subs Not Used: Price, Magilton, Peters, McDonald.

Booked: Westlake.

Goals: Lee 62, Richards 83 pen.

Burnley Jensen, Duff, Thomas, McGreal, Harley,Spicer (Elliott 89), James O'Connor, Hyde, Branch (McCann 67),Ricketts, Noel-Williams (Courtney 83).

Subs Not Used: Karbassiyoon, Garreth O'Connor.

Sent Off: Thomas (81).

Booked: Thomas, Ricketts, Spicer, Elliott.

Goals: Ricketts 45.

Att: 24,482

Ref: D Deadman (Cambridgeshire).