Advantage Derby as Martin brings Ipswich’s unbeaten run to an end

Chris Martin scored his 18th goal of the season as a single goal from Derby proved enough to beat promotion rivals Ipswich at Portman Road.

Derby leapfrogged their opponents into second place after Martin capitalised on indecisive defending by Tommy Smith to inflict a first defeat in 13 league matches on Ipswich, who ended the game with 10 men.

Though their overall performance was below par, the hosts started the brighter and almost took the lead after three minutes when Jay Tabb gathered a cross-field pass from David McGoldrick before shooting from the edge of the area. The midfielder’s effort was parried by the Derby goalkeeper Lee Grant before Daryl Murphy’s attempt to slot in the rebound was blocked by Cyrus Christie.

McGoldrick subsequently sent a shot just over after a sharp exchange of passes with Murphy as the home side continued to dominate.

Minutes later, though, Derby fashioned their first chance when Jeff Hendrick’s low shot was blocked by Tyrone Mings and Christie fired over the bar from the rebound. The visitors went close again when Johnny Russell curled wide from a free-kick.

Chances were at a premium in a cagey first half but, five minutes after the restart, Ipswich had the home fans off their seats when a neat move ended with Teddy Bishop unleashing a 25-yard shot that the diving Grant did well to push away.

Controversy followed when Ipswich had a credible penalty claim turned down after Tabb’s cross appeared to strike the arm of Richard Keogh.

But it was Derby who, against the run of play, took the lead on 57 minutes. A hopeful long ball from Christie should have been dealt with by the home defence, but Smith’s attempt to head back was woefully short and Martin nipped in to poke the ball home as Bartosz Bialkowski, the Ipswich keeper, rushed from his line.

Ipswich almost hit back immediately when Bishop’s cross was flicked on by McGoldrick, but Murphy’s header was too tame to beat Grant.

At the other end, Bialkowski was twice obliged to save from Will Hughes as Ipswich became increasingly laboured.

But there was late drama was as the game entered a six-minute period of injury time and Eustace was dismissed for a second bookable offence after hauling down McGoldrick. Kevin Bru saw a testing shot saved before Noel Hunt narrowly failed to turn the ball in at the far post following a goalmouth scramble.

But it was not to be for Ipswich, who tasted defeat at Portman Road for the first time in almost five months as Derby stretched their unbeaten run to five games.