Huddersfield Town could have claimed a win, and should have had a draw, but a day which started brightly in the Suffolk sun ended in disappointment in the dark.

Daryl Murphy found himself in too much space to head home an 89th-minute winner from close range to complete an Ipswich comeback, and third successive Championship win.

And whether or not the free-kick, for Joel Lynch’s challenge on Murphy and taken by Aaron Cresswell, should have been awarded, Mark Robins’ side, who have been too susceptible to set-pieces, should have dealt with it better.

They were also guilty of presenting Mick McCarthy’s men with the opportunity to equalise five minutes into the second half, Jonathan Hogg playing a poor pass from the right flank which was seized on by Cole Skuse, who set up Ipswich’s top scorer David McGoldrick, a striker who played under Robins at Coventry last season, for a firmly-struck eighth goal of the season.

Town’s leading scorer and stand-in skipper James Vaughan could now be on 13, but after being fouled by Christophe Berra in the 25th minute, a decision McCarthy disputed, he had his penalty saved by Dean Gerken, “just desserts” in the words of the ever straight-talking home manager.

Ipswich Town (2) v Huddersfield Town (1) - James Vaughan penalty miss
Ipswich Town (2) v Huddersfield Town (1) - James Vaughan penalty miss

It was his second spot-kick miss of the season, after he failed to clinch victory in the home clash with Blackpool, and second in as many visits to Portman Road, with manager Mark Robins later confirming 12-yard responsibilities will now go elsewhere.

Town, having switched from 3-5-2 to match Ipswich’s 4-3-3 during the first half with some effect, still took the lead 10 minutes later, Danny Ward thumping home his third goal of the season after Vaughan diverted the lively Adam Hammill’s delivery into his path.

And had Hammill’s sweetly-struck effort been a shade lower, Robins’ men would have gone in two to the good at half-time and well placed to clinch a fourth consecutive win.

Matches can hinge on such fine margins, and even after Ipswich, industrious and direct if not totally pleasing to the eye of a footballing purist, had drawn level, Town created enough chances to have regained the lead.

Scorer Ward had a good go from a free-kick after Hogg was fouled 25 yards out.

Then his replacement Sean Scannell fired in a shot which the diving Gerken blocked but probably knew little about.

This was far from a repeat of Town’s dismal previous defeat, at home to Birmingham back in November, and neither side could really have complained had the spoils been shared.

Nine points from four games, three of which have been away, is a pretty reasonable return.

Ipswich Town (2) v Huddersfield Town (1) - Ipswich winning goal
Ipswich Town (2) v Huddersfield Town (1) - Ipswich winning goal

And with three of the four matches which remain this year at home, starting with the visit of Reading on Saturday, Town have a reasonable chance of getting more on the board in the coming weeks.

Ipswich’s hustle and bustle might not be to everyone’s liking, but they do it well, yet Town matched them in most areas, and had they returned with a point, it would have been a fair reflection of the contest.

Run of the ball

5 mins:  Ipswich’s Luke Chambers, set up by David McGoldrick, lashes an angled effort across the face of goal.

6 mins:  James Vaughan seizes on Chambers’ sloppy back pass, but keeper Dean Gerken slides out to block.

7 mins:  Christophe Berra heads wide.

12 mins:  Anthony Gerrard heads onto the roof of the net from Adam Hammill’s corner.

17 mins:  McGoldrick’s shot in the turn is saved by Alex Smithies.

18 mins:  Smithies smothers as Daryl Murphy shapes to shoot.

22 mins:  Ollie Norwood shoots over from distance.

24 mins:  Danny Ward’s shot from Adam Clayton’s tee up is pushed away by Gerken.

25 mins:  Penalty to Town as Vaughan is fouled by Berra, but Gerken dives to his left to save the striker’s effort.

35 mins:  Goal to Town as Vaughan touches Adam Hammill’s delivery into the path of Ward, who drills the ball in. 0-1.

43 mins:  Hammill’s fizzing shot hits the bar.

45 mins:  McGoldrick works his way into space but shoots wide.

50 mins:  Equaliser for Ipswich as Cole Skuse seizes on Jonathan Hogg’s misplaced pass to set up McGoldrick for a well-placed shot. 1-1.

55 mins:  Chambers shoots over.

58 mins:  Danny Ward’s 25-yard free-kick is saved.

67 mins:  Substitute Sean Scannell’s shot is blocked by Gerken.

70 mins:  Hammill’s shot is saved.

73 mins:  Norwood’s drive is held.

89 mins:  Winner for Ipswich. Town fail to clear Aaron Cresswell’s free-kick and Murphy heads home from close range. 2-1.