Ipswich striker David Johnson was at the centre of controversy against his old club.

The ex-Bury player, who joined promotion-chasing Ipswich in a £1million move from Gigg Lane, was judged to have been brought down on the edge of the area on 49 minutes by Bury defender Andy Woodward.

Woodward and his Bury team-mates claimed it was a dive and Johnson was instantly branded a "cheat" by the home fans. Nevertheless, referee Ken Leach pointed to the spot and Town's Mark Venus converted the penalty beyond Bury keeper Dean Kiely.

It was a goal though that Ipswich deserved. They had dominated the first half but Shakers' defender Chris Swailes, deputising for injured skipper Chris Lucketti, marshalled his defence well. Swailes came to Gigg Lane as part of the Johnson deal and he stopped everything his former team-mates threw at him.

But the game came to life after the penalty incident. Ipswich keeper Richard Wright, selected for the England's squad against France with team-mate Kieron Dyer, had to save well twice to deny Bury's Lennie Johnrose and Nigel Jemson and claim his 18th clean sheet of the season.

Johnson, Town's joint top scorer with 11 goals this season, could have got one himself but Kiely denied him and then the post saved Bury.

But then the floodgates opened. On 71 minutes Jim Magilton's corner was headed by Johnson before Tony Mowbray bundled the ball over in a goalmouth scramble.

And five minutes later, it was three. A terrible mix-up between Swailes and Kiely let in Marlon Harewood, on loan from Nottingham Forest. He nipped in and forced the ball over the line - his first goal for Ipswich.

The Shakers have a great home record with seven wins and this was only their fourth defeat at Gigg Lane but a relegation struggle looms. Bury are without a win in nine matches while Ipswich are on the right road for the Premiership.

Teams:

Bury: Kiely, West, Swailes, Woodward, Williams, Daws, Rigby (Forrest 50), Billy, Johnrose, Jemson (Preece 68), James.

Subs Not Used: Souter.

Ipswich: Wright, Wilnis (Stockwell 76), Tanner, Mowbray, Venus, Clapham, Dyer, Magilton, Holland, Johnson (Naylor 83), Harewood.

Subs Not Used: Petta.

Booked: Johnson.

Goals: Venus 50 pen, Mowbray 70, Harewood 76.

Att: 4,750

Ref: K Leach (Codsall).