Two goals apiece for Tommy Miller and Shefki Kuqi saw Ipswich home against Dario Gradi's Crewe battlers in a thrill-a-minute goal fest at Portman Road.

Town led 2-1 at the interval and although they eventually claimed the points, they could never afford to relax against a determined and resolute Crewe side.

The home side could not have wished for a better start against their fellow promotion hopefuls.

Town took the lead after just three minutes through a spectacular Miller strike.

Former Hartlepool star Miller's cross was partially cleared by Neil Sorvel, but the Town midfielder regained possession and hammered the ball beyond Crewe goalkeeper Clayton Ince from distance to give his side the early initiative.

Crewe were stung into action after that setback and Steve Jones tried his luck from 20 yards, although his effort flew wide of the target.

It proved a brief respite, though, as Ipswich continued to pour forward and Ince did well to deny Shefki Kuqi after six minutes.

Ipswich's excellent start was rewarded again three minutes later as they doubled their lead with Miller grabbing his second goal of the game.

Pablo Counago's pass found Miller, who curled the ball home from 20 yards to seemingly put Joe Royle's side in command.

Crewe threatened occasionally on the break, but Ipswich continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession with Counago threatening to add to his side's tally twice in quick succession midway through the first half.

Ince then did well to parry a close-range header from John McGreal before Crewe got themselves back into the game after 35 minutes.

Kenny Lunt's cross from the right was volleyed home spectacularly by Dean Ashton to give the visitors hope after they had been second best for much of the first half.

Crewe were on level terms within two minutes of the re-start after Ashton and Jones combined impressively.

Ashton pulled the ball back from the byline and McGreal turned the ball past his own keeper Kelvin Davis and into the net.

But, having done the hard work to get back on terms, the visitors found themselves behind again.

Matt Richards put in a teasing cross and Kuqi beat Ince to the ball and headed home from six yards to put Town back in front in the 55th minute.

Crewe refused to lie down despite that setback and were level again 12 minutes later, thanks to Ipswich netting their second own goal of the game.

Ashton's shot hit Richards and ended up in the back of the net to give Dario Gradi's side renewed hope.

But it was short-lived as the home side regained the initiative after 72 minutes, Martijn Reuser hammering home a spectacular effort.

Reuser then laid on Town's fifth just two minutes later for Counago, who cracked home a tremendous goal from 25 yards.

The visitors scored again when second-half substitute James Robinson netted with eight minutes remaining, but the home side had the final say as Kuqi netted again to clinch maximum points.

Teams

Ipswich: Davis, Wright, Naylor, McGreal, Richards, Miller, Bart-Williams (Diallo 56), Magilton (Santos 84), Westlake (Reuser 56), Kuqi, Counago.

Subs Not Used: Marshall, Bowditch.

Goals: Miller 3, 9, Kuqi 55, Reuser 72, Counago 74, Kuqi 88.

Crewe: Ince, Billy Jones (Walker 87), Wright, Foster, Tonkin, Lunt, Sorvel, Higdon, Rix (Edwards 79), Steve Jones, Ashton (Robinson 79).

Subs Not Used: Bankole, Roberts.

Goals: Ashton 35, McGreal 48 og, Richards 66 og, Robinson 82.

Att: 22,071

Ref: D Crick (Surrey).