Ipswich Town 3 Middlesbrough 3: Boro secure safety with away point at Ipswich

Town had been on course to record a fourth straight win and close further ground on the top six after Grant Leadbitter struck from distance inside the opening 10 minutes.

But they capitulated either side of the break as Tony Mowbray’s side overturned the lead thanks to Andy Halliday’s tap-in and Scott McDonald’s close-range finish before half-time, with Andrew Taylor adding a third soon after the break.

Connor Wickham, who had two efforts ruled out for offside, finally netted when he headed home from six yards to give Ipswich hope and they made sure of the point when Leadbitter scored his second goal from the penalty spot.

Despite the rally, their season looks over as they sit eight points off the play-offs with five games to play.

Mowbray, meanwhile, was left to celebrate a sweet return to Portman Road, where he spent five years as a player, as his side secured a second away win in three days to make absolutely sure of safety.

* Middlesbrough striker Marvin Emnes has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association.

The charge relates to an incident during Saturday’s 2-1 win at Sheffield United.

* In League Two, three players were sent off in a stormy Gigg Lane clash between Bury and Burton Albion which saw Tom Lees grab the only goal of the game to send the home side back to second place.