- Kieffer Moore opened the scoring after just eight minutes on Tuesday night
- Haji Wright pulled one back for the hosts before Cameron Burgess settled the tie
- Are Sheffield United the worst team in Premier League history? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast
One more point will be enough to send Ipswich to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years after Cameron Burgess’ second-half winner put them within sight of back-to-back promotions.
If the Tractor Boys avoid defeat against Huddersfield – who are all but relegated – on Saturday it will be enough to take them up automatically and send Leeds United into the play-offs.
A draw or more would crown a stunning triumph for coach Kieran McKenna, who led his side up from League One only last season. Ipswich rode their luck at times at Coventry but goals from Kieffer Moore and Burgess – either side of Haji Wright’s leveller – saw them over the line.
The visitors’ nerves were settled immediately when Wes Burns raced into the space behind Jay Dasilva and cut the ball back perfectly for Moore, who hammered it home from 12 yards.
It was no more than Ipswich deserved after a confident start against the Sky Blues, whose play-off bid faded either side of their agonising FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester United.
Kieffer Moore (centre) opened the scoring on a night which took Ipswich one step closer to a season in the Premier League
Cameron Burgess (centre) netted a hurried winner at close range minutes after the Tractor Boys lost their lead
It was a nervous evening for the over 2,000 fans who made the journey to the CBS Arena
The home side eventually started to click into gear, however, as Kasey Palmer had a shot from the edge of the box blocked well by Massimo Luongo, and Ben Sheaf – who missed in the shoot-out against United at Wembley – just off target with a fierce drive from distance.
Yet for all their possession, Coventry were struggling to find a weak spot in Ipswich’s defensive structure. These speculative efforts were the best they could do and in the first half-hour at least, Vaclav Hladky did not have to make a serious save.
But when he was required, Hladky certainly stepped up. Palmer’s deflected effort was cleared off the line and when the ball dropped to Haji Wright, Hladky somehow managed to palm his close-range volley over.
By now Coventry were well on top though the visitors commitment to keep the ball out was hugely impressive. And when their focus did drift, Ipswich were grateful to see the unmarked Ellis Simms scoop over from 10 yards.
At the other end, Brad Collins kept the home side in it with a fine reflex save from Nathan Broadhead’s header and then Simms wasted another chance to equalise as Coventry broke.
There was a four-minute stoppage in the early stages of the second half when referee James Bell suffered a calf injury had to be replaced by fourth official Dean Whitestone. Seconds after the restart, Ipswich were so close to a second when Collins presented Broadhead with the ball and the Town forward struck the bar.
And the visitors regretted that miss not long afterwards. Palmer found Wright and the American’s low finish was too hot for Hladky to handle.
The hosts battled manfully despite their own play-off hopes being dashed due to a faulty run
A long period of stoppage time was factored in after referee James Bell was replaced by the fourth official Dean Whitestone
Haji Wright (right) dragged Coventry level in the second-half but it wasn’t enough for the hosts
Kieran McKenna will look to thrill the fans at Portman Road against all-but-relegated Huddersfield on Saturday
Coventry were still slack at the back though this time Collins came to their rescue with a solid save from substitute Jeremy Sarmiento following Joel Latibeaudiere’s loose pass. Collins bailed his side out once more by denying George Hirst, another sub, when one on one.
After those near-misses, Ipswich squeezed ahead a second time when Mark Robins’ men failed to deal with Leif Davis’ free-kick and Burgess forced it home off the post.
