Ipswich boosted their hopes of automatic promotion with a convincing victory over a Huddersfield team still in the hunt for a play-off place.

The home side were two up at the interval with goals from Jim Magilton and David Johnson. Bobby Petta then came on as substitute and scored with his first touch to set the seal on the victory.

Ipswich kept a clean sheet for the 21st time in the league this season, a new club record.

In the 13th minute Magilton, playing his final match of a two-month loan from Sheffield Wednesday, scored after a shot from Johnson had been blocked by visiting keeper Nico Vaesen.

Six minutes later Mick Stockwell wasted a clear chance for Ipswich when he lost control after being put through by James Scowcroft who was having his first start since breaking his collar bone three months ago.

Magilton was dominant in midfield for Ipswich and sent Scowcroft through on the right but the shot skimmed the bar.

Then Mark Venus sent Scowcroft clear on the right but the move ended with Jamie Clapham having an angled drive blocked.

Ipswich scored their second in the 45th minute when Johnson scored his 14th goal of the season with a left-foot shot after Scowcroft had won a header in the goalmouth and Matt Holland had rolled the ball back into his path.

Huddersfield's best chance came just before the interval when Venus blocked a drive from Chris Beech after Marcus Stewart had broken clear down the left.

Ipswich had Adam Tanner come on in place of Manuel Thetis in the second half while Huddersfield introduced Delroy Facey in place of a subdued Ben Thornley at the interval.

Huddersfield had a let-off in the 59th minute when Johnson left Kevin Gray stranded but fired against the foot of the post. Soon afterwards a left-foot free-kick from Venus flew just wide.

The visitors were saved by the woodwork for a second time after 70 minutes when a header from Scowcroft rebounded off the bar from a cross by Fabian Wilnis.

Vaesen denied Johnson with a one-handed save in the 76th minute but Ipswich made sure of the points seven minutes from the end when Petta scored from close range from a cross by Wilnis.

Teams:

Ipswich: Wright, Wilnis, Thetis (Tanner 46), Clapham, Mowbray, Venus, Stockwell (Petta 81), Holland, Johnson, Scowcroft (Naylor 83), Magilton.

Goals: Magilton 13, Johnson 45, Petta 83.

Huddersfield: Vaesen, Jenkins, Edwards, Johnson, Armstrong, Gray, Beech, Phillips, Stewart, Allison (Baldry 78),Thornley (Facey 45).

Subs Not Used: Edmondson.

Booked: Gray, Jenkins.

Att: 17,170

Ref: F Stretton (Nottingham).