Joe Royle's in-form Ipswich came from a goal down to dominate at the Priestfield Stadium and keep their hopes of a swift return to the Premiership firmly on track.

Ipswich, now unbeaten in nine league games, are two points outside the play-off positions after they avenged the defeat they suffered to Gillingham at Portman Road earlier in the season.

Gillingham have never beaten Ipswich at the Priestfield Stadium and did not look like breaking that hoodoo after a bright start.

Ipswich took the lead for the first time after 72 minutes when a pass from Fabian Wilnis enabled Pablo Counago to fire home. Just six minutes later Marcus Bent made the points safe when he drilled the ball home from 18 yards.

In a bright opening spell the home side's Paul Smith saw his 25-yard volley saved by Andy Marshall after 10 minutes and shortly afterwards Counago sent a header over the crossbar.

Gillingham continued to push forward and Paul Shaw sent his shot just wide of the target before Ipswich were forced into an early change, bringing on Martijn Reuser for the injured Thomas Gaardsoe after 14 minutes.

The visitors looked dangerous whenever they pushed forward and Gillingham keeper Vince Bartram had to be on his toes to save a 20-yard volley from Jermaine Wright.

Reuser was swiftly making an impact, having a 30-yard shot blocked and then hitting the woodwork with a curling free-kick after Tommy Miller had been fouled.

Gillingham were also forced to make a change through injury, replacing Mark Saunders with David Perpetuini, but shortly afterwards they took the lead against the run of play. Simon Osborn's in-swinging corner found the head of Chris Hope, whose goalbound effort was superbly parried by Marshall, but Smith followed up to fire the ball home after 28 minutes.

The visitors deservedly levelled just four minutes later when a great run and cross from Miller enabled Counago to touch the ball past Bartram.

That gave them just the impetus they needed and once they had got their noses in front, they were rarely troubled.

Teams:

Gillingham: Bartram, Nosworthy, Leon Johnson, Hope, Edge, Saunders (Perpetuini 27), Smith, Osborn, Shaw, Wallace (Ipoua 70), Tommy Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Rose, Edusei, Spiller.

Goals: Smith 28.

Ipswich: Marshall, Wilnis, Naylor, Gaardsoe (Reuser 14), Makin, Miller, Magilton, Wright, Richards, Counago (Westlake 86), Darren Bent (Marcus Bent 68).

Subs Not Used: Pullen, Abidallah.

Booked: Miller.

Goals: Counago 32, 73, Marcus Bent 78.

Att: 8,508

Ref: D Crick (Surrey).