Ipswich boosted their play-off hopes with a narrow victory over Nottingham Forest at Portman Road.

Goals in either half saw Ipswich close the gap on the Coca-Cola Championship top six to four points.

A 14th-minute James Perch own goal and a David Wright effort on 60 minutes proved to be enough for the home side, with Nathan Tyson netting a consolation for Forest.

Jim Magilton brought in Alan Quinn for Owen Garvan following a weekend draw against Blackpool.

For Forest, Matt Thornhill and Ian Breckin came in for Joe Heath and Luke Chambers after their defeat against Birmingham.

The visitors had the first effort on goal in the sixth minute but defender Wes Morgan's close-range header from a Chris Cohen free-kick was easily saved by Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright.

Wright was called into action again soon after to parry away a 30-yard Nathan Tyson drive as Forest made a bright start.

But Ipswich took the lead against the run of play in the 14th minute when Perch headed past Paul Smith into his own goal from a Tommy Miller free-kick.

Striker Jon Stead, Argentinian winger Luciano Civelli and skipper Gareth McAuley all came close to doubling Ipswich's advantage before the break.

But Forest looked dangerous on the break and had a goal disallowed after 21 minutes. Joe Garner nodded into an empty net after Wright fumbled but Morgan was adjudged to have fouled the goalkeeper from another Cohen free-kick.

Matt Thornhill drew a save from Wright with a 20-yard drive at the start of the second half, while Lewis McGugan also had a 30-yard skimming effort saved.

Two minutes after replacing Danny Haynes, substitute Jon Walters blazed over from close range after being set up by Pablo Counago.

Ipswich did extend their lead after 60 minutes when full-back Wright latched onto a defence-splitting McAuley pass to beat Smith at his near post.

Smith then saved brilliantly to deny McAuley with a close-range header as the home side dominated.

McGugan came close to halving the deficit but Wright tipped his 22-yard effort round the post at full stretch after Quinn only partially cleared a Tyson cross.

Tyson did pull a goal back after 77 minutes, firing home from close range after McAuley had intercepted a left-wing cross from substitute Garath McCleary.

The visitors came agonisingly close to an equaliser when half-time substitute Emile Sinclair hit the inside of the post from the edge of the box after 87 minutes but Ipswich held out.