Stoke retained top spot in the Coca-Cola Championship thanks again to the goal-scoring exploits of Liam Lawrence.

Lawrence bagged a brace in the 3-2 win over Scunthorpe last time out to move the Potters into pole position in the scramble for promotion, and was again on target to sink Ipswich.

The former Sunderland and Mansfield midfielder let fly from distance late in the first half to light up an otherwise dull encounter and help City secure a fifth straight win.

To compound matters for Ipswich, who fell out of the play-off pack after their defeat in front of a bumper crowd of over 23,500 at the Britannia Stadium, they also had boss Jim Magilton sent to the stands in the second half following a touchline fracas.

Stoke, meanwhile, have now scored 13 goals in their last five games and appear to be hitting form at exactly the right time.

Carl Dickinson replaced the suspended Danny Pugh at left-back and Richard Cresswell earned a recall to the Stoke side while Alan Quinn returned to Ipswich's starting XI.

Given the fact both sides started the day wedged in the top six it was no surprise that the promotion rivals cancelled each out in a low-key opening.

Lawrence curled a 25-yard free-kick over the bar after six minutes while Alan Lee blazed wide from close range at the other end 16 minutes later.

Lawrence continued to look a threat from set-pieces and from his right-wing corner shortly after, Mamady Sidibe headed wide as the hosts enjoyed plenty of early possession.

Glenn Whelan tested Ipswich goalkeeper Stephen Bywater from long distance while Ricardo Fuller drilled wide from 20 yards nine minutes before the interval.

Tommy Miller dragged a left-footed shot wide from 20 yards before Lawrence broke the deadlock in fine style three minutes before the interval.

Lawrence showed great awareness to cut in from the right flank before unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard shot past Bywater to take his tally for the season to 13 in all competitions.

It was a superb strike from a player galvanised under the stewardship of boss Tony Pulis and visibly brimming with confidence.

The visitors responded in a positive manner after the restart as Richard Naylor rose well to head Miller's teasing free-kick over before Velice Sumulikoski fired just wide from 25 yards.

Ipswich manager Magilton was then sent to the stands by referee Michael Jones after an angry confrontation with a ball boy on the touchline.

Just after the hour Stoke failed to double their advantage.

Fuller first saw a speculative overhead kick drift inches wide before Bywater reacted quickly to keep out Ryan Shawcross' 20-yard drive.

A smart Steve Simonsen save denied Sumulikoski 18 minutes from time while Alex Bruce failed to hit the target with a wayward 30-yard effort in a scrappy end to the game.

Teams:

Stoke Simonsen, Griffin, Shawcross, Cort, Dickinson, Lawrence, Delap, Whelan, Cresswell, Sidibe (Diao 81), Fuller.

Subs Not Used: Fulop, Parkin, Gallagher, Wilkinson.

Booked: Lawrence.

Goals: Lawrence 42.

Ipswich Bywater, Bruce, Naylor, De Vos, Harding, Norris (Garvan 76), Sumulikoski, Miller, Quinn (Haynes 46), Walters, Lee (Counago 72).

Subs Not Used: Colgan, Wright.

Att: 23,563

Ref: Michael Jones (Cheshire).