Does Leeds United's four-in-a-row put them within play-off distance of the Premiership?

In-form striker Chris Wood’s seventh goal of the season and fourth strike in four games gave United a deserved victory in a game which they dominated throughout.

Wood, who nodded home Charlie Taylor’s left-flank cross after 35 minutes, had earlier fired a fine attempt from long-range against the right-hand post.

A second-half free-kick from Phillips also produced a terrific save from Ipswich goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski and Hadi Sacko later blazed wide from inside the area as United looked to bag a second.

A disappointing Ipswich mustered just one attempt on target and a Leeds side that should have already been home and hosed were relieved when Freddie Sears put a late free-kick over the crossbar.

But United had already done enough to record a fourth-straight victory under head coach Garry Monk, with the Ipswich success following league wins against Blackburn Rovers and Cardiff City and Tuesday night’s third round EFL Cup success which also came against Blackburn.

The Whites had not won four games in a row since 2009-10 under Simon Grayson in League One.

Leeds sit in the division’s top half – in 12th and just three points off the play-offs – and Phillips says his men are quietly confident of making further progress.

“Some of the losses we had earlier on – it wasn’t us,” said Phillips, whose team were third-bottom after their first five games.

“We were on a losing streak and we wanted to prove to everyone what kind of team we really are.

“All of the hard work on the training pitch is finally coming through and you can see that on the pitch. It’s a bit early to speak but, obviously, we want to keep this run going, carry on winning and hopefully climb the table like we’ve been planning to do.

“The play-offs are our main target and getting as high as we can. We’re looking up the table now and trying to pick everyone off. Hopefully, we can carry on doing it.

“It’s a great atmosphere now after four wins. It was a good atmosphere before that but it’s just always in the back of your mind – we need to get this win, we need to get this win. We’re buzzing to get another one.”

United tomorrow night visit in-form Bristol City, a side blessed with the talents of young forward Tammy Abraham who is on loan from Chelsea. The 18-year-old already has 10 goals for the current campaign.

Leeds United: Green, Ayling, Jansson, Bartley (c), Taylor, Phillips, O’Kane, Hernandez (Mowatt 82), Dallas (Grimes 86), Sacko (Roofe 77), Wood. Unused substitutes: Silvestri, Coyle, Cooper, Grimes, Antonsson.

Ipswich Town: Bialkowski, Webster (Emmanuel 56), Chambers (c), Knudsen, Berra, Skuse, Ward (Bru 75), Douglas, Sears, Pitman (Best 25), Lawrence. Unused substitutes: Gerken, Dozzell, Grant, Kenlock.

Referee: S Martin (Staffs).

Man of the match: Chris Wood.