Ipswich turned up the heat at the top of the First Division with three priceless promotion points against Crystal Palace.

David Johnson's first-half strike was enough to move George Burley's side above Barnsley and within striking distance of second-placed Manchester City.

Ipswich are now just two points behind City with two games left to play after they stumbled to a nervy win.

The home side completely dominated the game but couldn't finish off a Palace side who put up a determined rearguard action.

And Town had England goalkeeper Richard Wright to thank for denying Ashley Cole a goal.

Ipswich set the agenda and James Scowcroft gave Palace a scare in the fifth minute.

The former England Under-21 striker got on the end of Martijn Reuser's cross but Matt Gregg in the Palace goal tipped over the bar.

Johnson should have given Ipswich the lead in the eighth minute after good work down the left by Jamie Clapham. The striker got on the end of Clapham's cross but somehow spooned the ball over the bar.

The chances were queuing up for Ipswich and it was Jim Magilton who was the next to fray the nerves of the Portman Road faithful when he volleyed wide after Fabian Wilnis sent him away.

But Ipswich were rewarded for a dominating first-half display when Johnson put them ahead with his 20th goal of the season.

Defender Wayne Brown launched a 50-yard through-ball and Johnson chested down and turned defender Jamie Smith before drilling in a left-foot shot beyond Gregg's dive.

Palace striker Clinton Morrison had the Eagles' best chance of the half when he eluded Brown but he failed to hit the target when clean through.

Ipswich had the majority of play after the break but the Eagles had their moments.

Cole, on loan from Arsenal, brought the best out of Wright in the 64th minute. Morrison's clever flick-on found Cole in space and his goal-bound effort was brilliantly palmed away by the keeper.

Ipswich continued to press and they should have buried their struggling visitors but couldn't find a way past the Palace keeper.