A Matt Holland strike gave Ipswich's play-off hopes a shot in the arm after three straight draws and increased the threat of relegation hanging over Sheffield Wednesday.

The Republic of Ireland international, with just one goal since September, got on the end of a Darren Bent flick-on from Jim Magilton's corner to head high into the net after 17 minutes.

Wednesday's chances had already taken a knock when they were forced to replace the injured Darryl Powell with Steven Haslam after 14 minutes.

But they could have gone ahead moments before Holland's breakthrough as a well-placed Shefki Kuqi volleyed into the clutches of visiting goalkeeper Andy Marshall.

Fabian Wilnis' rasping 30-yard drive was the closest Ipswich came in the opening exchanges - but after the goal both teams had chances as their equally pressing need for points drove them forward.

Wednesday midfielder Alan Quinn tried his luck from distance while another Kuqi volley and a Brian Barry-Murphy shot both forced Marshall to hold on.

At the other end Jermaine Wright's angled drive brought home goalkeeper Paul Evans into action and Matthew Richards failed to direct his header from Darren Bent's cross before Evans escaped with a yellow card after fouling Darren Bent outside the area.

The hosts could have equalised within two minutes of the restart as Michael Reddy's close-range effort was parried to safety by Marshall.

After 49 minutes Ipswich had two chances in quick succession to extend their lead - Marcus Bent bringing a save out of Evans from close-in and Reuser seeing his drive smack the woodwork.

But it was goal-scorer Holland who went closest to notching again, Evans parrying from close range to deny the midfielder his second double of the season.

Teams

Sheff Wed: Evans, Westwood (Owusu 81), Smith, Monk, Barry-Murphy, McLaren, Powell (Haslam 14), Quinn, Reddy, Kuqi (Crane 67), Bradbury.

Subs Not Used: Pressman, Maddix.

Booked: Evans.

Ipswich: Marshall, Wilnis, Gaardsoe, Naylor, Richards, Wright, Magilton, Holland, Reuser (Westlake 72), Marcus Bent (Bowditch 78), Darren Bent (Counago 63).

Subs Not Used: Pullen, Abidallah.

Goals: Holland 17.

Att: 24,726

Ref: F Stretton (Nottinghamshire).