David Johnson's 19th goal of the season and a magnificent point blank save by England hopeful Richard Wright gave Ipswich the victory that kept their automatic promotion hopes alive.

Johnson's superbly struck winner came just 60 seconds from the end of a lacklustre first half that had seen both sides create few chances.

A long clearance by keeper Wright was latched onto by the 24-year-old Johnson on the edge of the County box and he showed deadly finishing power to leave Mike Flynn floundering before drilling the ball past the stranded Carlo Nash and in the County net.

Johnson had three other chances denied him, one going wide, one being saved by Nash, and the third forcing Flynn to head his goalbound header over the crossbar.

With Dutch Martin Reuser and Northern Ireland's Jim Magilton going strong Ipswich were good value for their 1-0 interval lead.

In the second half County tried desperately to get on level terms and when Connelly's cross from the left was met full on by Ian Lawson they looked set for a 72nd minute equaliser.

But Wright pulled off a superb point blank save to deny the score.

Johnson had continued to threaten on the breakaway for Ipswich.

James Scowcroft gave him good support and the 36-year-old Tony Mowbray marshalled the visitors' defence superbly.

County battled bravely and almost grabbed the goal they most desperately sought in the first minute of injury time when Kevin Cooper met substitute Neil Ross' cross head on only to see it whip right of the post.

Wright saved from Cooper two minutes later when parrying his venomous shot but that was County's last throw of the dice and Johnson's solitary goal had ensured Stockport were still looking for their first win in 19 games.

Teams:

Stockport: Nash, Connelly, Flynn, Taylor, Nicholson (Ross 84), Gibb, Dinning, Fradin, Cooper, Moore, Lawson.

Subs Not Used: Woodthorpe, Gray, Briggs, Elliott.

Ipswich: R. Wright, Croft, Mowbray, McGreal (Wilnis 14), Brown, Clapham, Holland, Magilton, Reuser (J. Wright 46), Johnson, Scowcroft, Wilnis (Stockwell 53).

Subs Not Used: Naylor, Branagan.

Booked: Croft.

Goals: Johnson 44.

Att: 8,501

Ref: T Heilbron (Newton Aycliffe).