Ipswich scored three times in the last eight minutes to earn an emphatic win that sent Barnsley crashing into the bottom three of the Coca-Cola Championship.

First-half goals from Gary Roberts and George O'Callaghan handed Jim Magilton's men a comfortable two-goal lead before the Tykes threatened to launch a late fightback when Daniel Nardiello plundered a stunning free-kick 11 minutes from time.

But Ipswich finished the game in style as Danny Haynes, Francis Jeffers and Jonathan Walters struck to a seal a memorable victory.

The Tractor Boys were dominant throughout against a Barnsley side now perched ominously in the relegation places after a run of one win from their last six games.

The hosts were searching for a third successive win and made the ideal start, taking the lead after barely two minutes through a classic counter-attack.

Defender Jason De Vos hacked Kyel Reid's corner clear to enable Jaime Peters to embark on a mazy run.

The 18-year-old, one of a clutch of youngsters who have come the ranks at Portman Road in the last few seasons, eventually slid a neat pass to Roberts, who started the season at Accrington Stanley before joining Town initially on loan in October, and the livewire winger made no mistake from six yards with a low drive.

It was no surprise to see Ipswich control the opening stages after breaking the deadlock so early on, and Jonathan Walters plundered just wide from 25 yards before O'Callaghan crashed a free-kick over from a similar range.

Brian Howard blazed tamely over from the edge of the penalty area as Simon Davey's side struggled to get back into the game before goalkeeper Nick Colgan parried a close-range Peters header at the other end after he rose well to meet Roberts' cross.

Sam Togwell forced Town goalkeeper Lewis Price to make a smart save shortly after as Barnsley threatened to restore parity while Alan Lee rattled the crossbar from 12 yards with a rasping drive.

Colgan, back in the Barnsley side after being rested against Derby last time out, produced a superb save just after the half hour to keep out Owen Garvan's six-yard goalbound volley but the Republic of Ireland international was powerless to prevent Ipswich deservedly doubling their lead two minutes before the interval.

Lee fired in from distance but his blocked effort fell kindly for O'Callaghan, who unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard drive.

Magilton introduced former England striker Jeffers, on loan from Blackburn, to replace Lee at the interval but his fast-improving side failed to reproduce their dominant first-half display.

Reid drilled straight at Price from 12 yards on the hour while O'Callaghan, buoyed by earlier strike, tried his luck from fully 25 yards but this time failed to trouble Colgan.

Former Everton hitman Jeffers looked particularly lively and keen to build on a string of fine performances, rising powerfully to head David Wright's teasing cross at Colgan before Barnsley pulled one back after 79 minutes.

Garvan was penalised for upending Brian Howard 25 yards out and Nardiello powered home the resulting set piece high past the sprawling Price.

But any hopes of a Barnsley fightback were soon erased as Haynes, Jeffers and Walters added late goals in a grandstand finish.

Haynes first pounced on a blocked Jeffers' shot to convert from 12 yards after 82 minutes before the latter notched with a low, raking shot from the edge of the penalty area.

And there was still time for Walters to add a fifth in stoppage time after he found himself in the right place to fire home the rebound after Jeffers struck the crossbar.

Teams:

Ipswich Price, Wilnis, De Vos, Bruce, Wright, Peters, Garvan,O'Callaghan, Roberts (Haynes 71), Walters, Lee (Jeffers 46).

Subs Not Used: Supple, Williams, Miller.

Booked: Garvan, De Vos.

Goals: Roberts 2, O'Callaghan 43, Haynes 82, Jeffers 86,

Walters 90.

Barnsley Colgan, Hassell, Paul Reid (Kay 46), Nyatanga,Heckingbottom (Rajczi 75), Jones, Howard, Togwell,Hayes (Nardiello 64), Kyel Reid, Ferenczi.

Subs Not Used: Letheren, McCann.

Booked: Heckingbottom, Hassell, Jones, Ferenczi, Rajczi.

Goals: Nardiello 79.

Att: 20,585

Ref: T Bates (Staffordshire).