Teenage striker Jordan Rhodes rescued a point for play-off chasing Ipswich against FA Cup finalists Cardiff.

The 18-year-old, on as a half-time substitute, converted from close range after an Alan Quinn shot had been charged down.

The Bluebirds, who had taken a first-half lead through Gavin Rae, appealed in vain for offside as Rhodes celebrated his first senior goal for the club.

But the home side were furious not to get all three points after a 90th-minute Danny Haynes effort was ruled out.

Haynes drilled the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards but referee Russell Booth decided there had been a foul as the ball was crossed.

Town had two further chances in injury time. Tommy Miller hit the first straight at goalkeeper Peter Enckelman following a knock down from Alan Lee and Rhodes headed wide from a Velice Sumulikoski pass.

The home side's equaliser was reward for a sustained period of pressure, which saw them miss several chances.

In the first half, Town's former Cardiff striker Lee dragged his shot wide when clean through on goal.

Ipswich skipper Jason de Vos squandered another opening in the 16th minute when he headed a deep Quinn cross into the side-netting from six yards.

Cardiff had chances of their own and took the lead in the 37th minute through Rae's fourth goal of the season.

Teenage winger Aaron Ramsey tricked his way past Town defender Alex Bruce and crossed for Rae to make no mistake from two yards.

Moments earlier, referee Booth had played an advantage after Wembley goalscoring hero Joe Ledley was fouled by Town's Manchester United loanee Danny Simpson.

Ramsey saw a curling free-kick from 25 yards fly just wide of Stephen Bywater's goal in the 29th minute following a foul on Rae.

Substitute Peter Whittingham also drove narrowly wide from 25 yards on 79 minutes as the Welsh side looked for a winning goal.

But it was Town who carried the greater goal threat.

In the 54th minute, a last-ditch tackle from the visitors' centre-half Glen Loovens halted a run from Quinn as the Irishman bore down on goal.

Owen Garvan, instrumental in midfield for Ipswich, also came close with two efforts in the second half.

Cardiff, who started the night in 13th position, are now unbeaten in nine games and still have a chance of making the play-offs.

Ipswich manager Jim Magilton had described the match as a must-win game as his side, who started in eighth place, missed out on a chance to go into the top six.

Teams

Ipswich Bywater, Simpson, De Vos, Bruce, Sito (Wright 62),Haynes, Garvan, Miller, Quinn (Sumulikoski 79),Roberts (Rhodes 46), Lee.

Subs Not Used: Colgan, Williams.

Booked: Garvan, Sito.

Goals: Rhodes 73.

Cardiff Enckelman, Blake, Johnson, Loovens,Capaldi (Whittingham 63), Ramsey, Rae, McPhail,Scimeca (Sinclair 69), Thompson, Ledley (Hasselbaink 83).

Subs Not Used: Purse, Oakes.

Booked: Capaldi.

Goals: Rae 37.

Att: 20,311

Ref: Russell Booth (Nottinghamshire).