Goals from Republic of Ireland international Alan Lee and Jonathan Walters gave Ipswich victory over Queens Park Rangers, who replied late on through Paul Furlong.

Lee's 26th-minute goal was the first real bit of excitement in an otherwise dour opening period at Portman Road, with both sides desperately needing the win to pull away from the foot of the table.

The game opened up slightly more after the goal, and Town could even have doubled their advantage just before the break only for Lee Camp superbly tipping over Gary Roberts' shot.

They did eventually make it two when Roberts supplied the opportunity and Walters guided the ball home from close range after 53 minutes.

And Town just about held on for a vital three points despite substitute Furlong's effort 20 minutes from time.

Rangers had gone into the game occupying the third relegation position, but knew a win would take them to just a point behind fellow strugglers Town, who named new loan signing Francis Jeffers on the bench.

Town midfielder Roberts had the first shot of the game after eight minutes, but his left-footed strike from 12 yards missed the target.

At the other end moments later, Lee Cook tried his luck from distance but the shot was blocked by Alex Bruce.

Town goalkeeper Lewis Price then cut out a dangerous cross from Steve Lomas.

Cook had another effort from 12 yards well saved by Price, with Jaime Peters failing to hit the target as Town pushed forward.

Gareth Ainsworth received the first booking of the game midway through the half for a foul on Dan Harding, before Town took the lead after 25 minutes.

Roberts provided the opportunity from the left-hand side and Lee headed home into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Rangers immediately pushed for an equaliser, but Martin Rowlands' close-range shot was stopped by Price and then Ainsworth saw another shot blocked by Bruce.

Town then came close to making it 2-0 six minutes before the break, when Harding's cross was met by the left foot of Roberts, only for Camp to superbly tip the ball over the crossbar.

Then, in the dying stages of the half, Camp was on hand to save an ambitious effort from Walters from fully 35 yards, as well as a shot from considerably nearer seconds later.

Camp then saved from Jason de Vos within four minutes of the restart, before Walters did make it 2-0 after 53 minutes.

Roberts provided the chance with good work down the right-hand side and Walters steered the ball home from six yards.

Rowlands attempted to grab an instant reply but Price was up to it, and Rowlands also fired wide midway through the half.

Moments later Rangers did pull one back, though, as Rowlands' shot from the edge of the penalty area came back off the post and Furlong followed in to net from close range.

Town then threw on new signing Jeffers up front for the final 20 minutes, and they nearly made it 3-1 when Owen Garven's left-footed strike was parried by Camp to safety.

And Jeffers himself nearly grabbed himself a debut goal, but his shot with two minutes left was kept out by Camp.

Teams

Ipswich Price, Wright, De Vos, Bruce, Harding,Peters (Haynes 84), Garvan, Legwinski, Roberts, Lee,Walters (Jeffers 72).

Subs Not Used: Supple, Richards, O'Callaghan.

Booked: Harding.

Goals: Lee 26, Walters 54.

QPR Camp, Mancienne, Cullip, Stewart, Timoska, Rowlands,Bolder, Lomas (Smith 82), Ainsworth (Furlong 63), Cook,Ray Jones.

Subs Not Used: Cole, Moore, Kanyuka.

Booked: Ainsworth, Ray Jones.

Goals: Furlong 71.

Att: 21,412

Ref: R Lewis (Shropshire).