Paul Heffernan netted the decisive strike as Doncaster ended a four-match losing run with a victory at Ipswich that all but ensures their Coca-Cola Championship future.

Seven points above the relegation zone at the start of the day, Rovers were second best in the first half despite going ahead after nine minutes when Gareth Roberts deceived Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright from long range.

Owen Garvan replied with his seventh of the season three minutes later before Giovani Dos Santos struck a post with a left-footed effort after 17 minutes for Town.

Connor Wickham was brought on with 24 minutes remaining to become the youngster player in Ipswich's history at 16 years and 11 days old, but the hosts were soon behind for a second time.

Heffernan netted at the second attempt after 74 minutes for his ninth of the season before substitute James Hayter added a third after 85 minutes as Doncaster clinched a seventh away win of the season.

Richie Wellens and John Spicer had early efforts blocked by Ivan Campo, and Pim Balkestein and Martin Woods volleyed over as Doncaster forged forward looking to end their poor run.

Rovers soon went ahead when Wellens found Roberts, who beat an out-of-position Wright with an audacious long-range shot from the wing for his first of the season.

The Tractor Boys levelled when Pablo Counago played the ball to Garvan and the midfielder drilled into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Garvan shot wide from long range soon after before Giovani hit the upright with a left-footed volley from 20 yards.

Dean Shiels shot over from 12 yards before Jon Walters, who was making a surprise early return from an ankle injury, had an effort off target at the other end.

Garvan fired wide before Counago saw his shot blocked by Matt Mills as the first half ended level.

Wellens had the first attempt of the second period, a 30-yard effort which was blocked by Balkestein 12 minutes after the resumption.

Walters dragged a long-range attempt wide for Town and Woods shot off target for Rovers.

Town manager Jim Magilton introduced substitute Wickham, who was only in contention after training with the first team during the school holidays, in place of the ineffective Veliche Shumulikoski but Rovers went ahead for the second time.

James Chambers crossed and Heffernan's header from six yards was saved by Wright, only for the forward to follow up and prod the ball in from close range.

Rovers added a third five minutes from time when substitute Lewis Guy found Hayter who drilled in from 12 yards for a goal just 90 seconds after coming on.

Teams

Ipswich Richard Wright, David Wright, Campo, Balkestein,Thatcher, Giovani, Norris (Quinn 81),Shumulikoski (Wickham 66), Garvan, Walters, Counago (Lisbie 80).

Subs Not Used: Bialkowski, Bruce.

Goals: Garvan 12.

Doncaster Sullivan, Chambers, Mills,Lockwood (Van Nieuwstadt 90), Roberts, Martin Woods, Wellens,Spicer (Guy 76), Wilson, Heffernan (Hayter 83), Shiels.

Subs Not Used: Hird, LuaLua.

Booked: Mills, Shiels, Wellens.

Goals: Roberts 9, Heffernan 74, Hayter 85.

Att: 19,918

Ref: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).