Substitute Jonathan Walters scored twice as Ipswich ended their Coca-Cola Championship campaign with a deserved home victory over Cardiff.

On-loan Blackburn forward Francis Jeffers put the Tractor Boys ahead early on, before Paul Parry drew City level just before the interval.

However, Walters then grabbed an excellent second-half brace to send the Ipswich supporters home happy.

Ipswich defender Alex Bruce was named in the starting line-up after recovering from the knee and ankle injuries he suffered during the draw with Leeds last weekend, while Cardiff boss Dave Jones selected the same team that slipped to a 1-0 defeat against struggling Hull last time out.

And the decision came back to haunt Jones straight away as the Tractor Boys took the lead in the fourth minute.

Owen Garvan played a pass across the edge of the penalty area and Jeffers made no mistake with a crisp drive into the bottom corner of the net.

The former Arsenal man, who is fast becoming a favourite with the Portman Road faithful, has now scored four goals in nine games for Ipswich.

Cardiff pushed forward looking for an immediate equaliser and Northern Ireland striker Warren Feeney should have done better when he headed over from close range following Parry's inviting cross.

Ipswich forward Alan Lee then fired wide from 12 yards after he carved out a half-chance, before Parry blazed over from long range.

Cardiff had now fully recovered from their sluggish start and Shane Supple was forced to parry Steven Thompson's stinging 18-yard drive to safety.

But the Bluebirds did draw level in the 37th minute when Parry headed home from six yards after Feeney's pinpoint cross.

The away side were looking full of confidence and Thompson wasted a chance to put them ahead when he fired wide following the lively Parry's cross.

However, Ipswich started the second half much stronger and Bruce headed over from close range when it seemed easier to score following Garvan's free-kick.

Lee's effort from the centre of the penalty area was then saved by David Forde, and Fabian Wilnis blasted an audacious overhead kick over the crossbar during a frantic five-minute spell.

The Bluebirds then came close to punishing the home side for their profligacy when Parry's 18-yard drive needed to be saved by Supple.

Wilnis again missed another glorious chance when his close-range effort was superbly saved by Forde, before City striker Thompson headed over following former Aston Villa midfielder Peter Whittingham's cross as the game swung from end-to-end.

But Ipswich then settled the nerves of their supporters in the 68th minute when they deservedly regained the lead.

The influential Garvan whipped in a low cross and former Bolton striker Walters coolly slotted home from six yards.

Roger Johnson came close to drawing Cardiff level again when his long-range drive forced an excellent save from Supple soon after.

But the Tractor Boys made sure of the points in the 79th minute when Walters grabbed his second of the game.

Jaime Peters fired a low cross into the centre of the penalty area and Walters reacted fastest to slot the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Teams:

Ipswich Supple, Wright, Bruce, Wilnis, Harding, Peters,Williams, Garvan, Roberts (Haynes 58), Lee (Walters 67),Jeffers (O'Callaghan 77).

Subs Not Used: Price, Miller.

Goals: Jeffers 4, Walters 68, 79.

Cardiff Forde, McNaughton, Purse, Johnson, Ledley,Parry (Gilbert 85), McPhail (Gunter 60), Blake, Whittingham,Feeney (Green 74), Thompson.

Subs Not Used: Alexander, Flood.

Goals: Parry 37.

Att: 26,488

Ref: K Stroud (Hampshire).