Nicky Forster swept home a late winner to secure Ipswich's first win in six matches and leave Sheffield Wednesday languishing in the bottom three.

Paul Sturrock's side have now completed five matches without a goal - losing them all - and there was little to suggest better days are just around the corner.

Striker Forster grabbed his third of the season to snatch all the points for Joe Royle's men, sweeping home a knockdown from Jason De Vos in the 87th minute of a game short on quality.

Owls striker Daryl Murphy, on loan from Sunderland, was first to show when his early shot was well held by Ipswich goalkeeper Lewis Price.

Murphy's header soon after was cleared by De Vos but it was Ipswich, prompted by the wily Jim Magilton, who dominated the first quarter with only a 25-yard shot from Gavin Williams straight at Nicky Weaver to show for their efforts.

Ipswich continued to hold the ascendancy without creating clear-cut chances, while Owls captain Glenn Whelan and midfielder Steve Adams both fired shots over the crossbar.

De Vos blocked another shot from Murphy but the home side were dealt a blow when striker David Graham went off injured just before the break and was replaced by Chris Brunt.

Owls manager Paul Sturrock fielded the same side which started against Hull last week with Murphy and Graham forming a two-pronged attack and Lee Peacock in a wide role.

Ipswich were forced into several changes as young striker Billy Clarke dislocated his elbow in action for the reserves, meaning a full first-team debut for Danny Haynes, who stepped off the bench last week to earn his side a point with a stoppage-time header.

Dean Bowditch, back from an Achilles injury, partnered Haynes up front and Magilton returned to midfield.

Haynes' debut lasted only 45 minutes as he was replaced by Darren Currie at half-time, with the latter soon orchestrating in midfield.

Brunt's speculative shot drifted wide for the Owls and Richard Naylor's header also lacked direction before Nicky Forster blazed over from six yards.

Joe Royle sent Ian Westlake and Matt Richards on for Magilton and Bowditch respectively in a bid to find the breakthrough, while Sturrock sent on Chris Eagles for Steve Adams as both sides struggled in the final third.

Owls defender Graham Coughlan forced Price into a smart save with a thumping header from Eagles' corner as the home side wrestled back the lion's share of possession.

Then Williams went close for Ipswich, latching on to Richards' cross only to fire over the crossbar and Currie followed suit.

But the visitors fashioned the only goal of the game with three minutes, firing past Owls' on-loan goalkeeper Nicky Weaver following a knockdown from De Vos and in what little time was left the home side never came close to an equaliser.

Teams:

Sheff Wed Weaver, Coughlan, Wood, Simek, Gilbert, Whelan, O'Brien, Peacock (Corr 75), Adams (Eagles 67), Murphy, Graham (Brunt 40).

Subs Not Used: Lee, Hills.

Ipswich Price, Wilnis, De Vos, Naylor, Sito, Magilton (Westlake 65), Juan, Forster, Bowditch (Richards 64), Haynes (Currie 45), Williams.

Subs Not Used: Garvan, Supple.

Booked: Forster.

Goals: Forster 87.

Att: 21,716

Ref: I Williamson (Berkshire).