The long wait for a complete performance is over

There have been several results this season where specific areas of the side have been due praise but seldom does everything fall quite into place like it did here, with Chris Powell justifiably delighted at seeing his side excel in various aspects.

This had been billed as a potentially gruelling encounter both for the quick changeover from Saturday's 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday on a tough pitch and the abrasive style Mick McCarthy has engendered from his Portman Road charges.

And yet Town, even with just one alteration and missing goalscoring hero at Hillsborough Ishmael Miller through a back injury, were out the blocks in no time at all, refusing to allow their visitors any time to settle into a rhythm.

The division's leading goalscorer Daryl Murphy was largely reduced to a bystander's role as he huffed, puffed and found little change out of Town's stubborn defensive ranks, a first-half shot cleared off the line aside.

But once Nahki Wells and James Vaughan had helped tee up an ultimately unassailable two-goal lead, this exhilarating show of attacking verve switched into a second half full of discipline, diligence and a maturity when it came to decision-making in defence and on the break as both sides of the game were combined to some effect.

This Town team relishes top-eight battles

Every team in the Championship is continually striving for consistency and few, if any, have mastered the art in this most unpredictable and thrilling of divisions and Huddersfield Town epitomise this better than most.

How can a side who offered such limp showings against the likes of Rotherham United and Charlton Athletic during the recent slump in form deliver a truly assured display at both ends of the field to dent Ipswich Town's hopes of a play-off berth?

But this was in keeping with how Town have fared against the big hitters in the division this season and this fully-deserved win was the latest in a number of scalps Powell has claimed since taking charge.

Town have now secured 15 points from a possible 45 against sides currently in the top eight positions and that has helped contribute to almost a third of their points tally, with the Terriers seemingly scoffing at the notion Mick McCarthy's men were in contention for a prospective return to the Premier League.

To put that into some sort of perspective, only four others from the 16 sides outside the top eight have managed a better points tally, with Nottingham Forest (22), Reading (20), Leeds United (19) and Charlton Athletic (16) proving more effective, but it is tangible proof that these players enjoy pitting their wits against the very best in this league and now have a hunger to succeed alongside.

The strikers are firing, now to bring it out on a regular basis

Prior to kick-off, Miller's name was the one primarily on Town fans' lips after the former Blackpool man had endeared himself to the John Smith's Stadium faithful with that promising cameo at Hillsborough.

By the end here, Vaughan and Wells were suddenly back at the forefront of everyone's thoughts as the strike duo linked up to devastating effect to give an experienced central defensive partnership of Christophe Berra and Tommy Smith the runaround.

Each goal was exquisite as Wells showed his eye for goal has not deserted him despite a difficult start to 2015 for the pint-sized striker while Vaughan's well-placed lofted header was the perfect connection to a quite sublime Jacob Butterfield dink to the back post.

But while a goalscoring contribution apiece adorned their all-round offerings, supporters will hope this can be the start of something more sustained until the end of the season and not a false dawn with regards to the potency of the attack.

Both players have tended to score in fits and starts this campaign and it was only two days ago that they were struggling badly against Sheffield Wednesday so Town fans will understandably be wary and this was just the second time this term that both have netted in the same match and the last time (the 3-1 win over Watford) proved to be the catalyst for Vaughan to hit the goal trail once again.

Oscar Gobern steps up and proves his point

Town boss Powell has been fortunate that both Conor Coady and Butterfield have had the energy reserves and consistency to adapt and perform every week in the middle of midfield, with opportunities for fringe players proving scarce.

Oscar Gobern is one man in particular who has struggled for gametime but he has impressed on the rare occasions when entrusted with a pivot role in midfield by his manager, who deserves credit for making such a bold call on a player who has had so few minutes under his belt.

The 24-year-old was, at times, a tower of strength for Town in midfield, winning a number of balls back for his side and recycling possession neatly and effectively to keep the home side on the front foot.

Ipswich's midfield only actually began to pose a threat once playmaker Teddy Bishop emerged at half-time, but by that stage Gobern had assumed control of affairs at the base of midfield and offered the defence a much-needed extra body in front to deal with Muphy's attempted knock-downs and flick-ons.

He inevitably tired and his impact dipped in the second period but he was a man very much on a mission here to convince he still has a part to play at Town as he aims for a new contract this summer.

Oscar Gobern impressed in a deep midfield role for Huddersfield Town in the 2-1 win over Ipswich Town
Oscar Gobern impressed in a deep midfield role for Huddersfield Town in the 2-1 win over Ipswich Town

Survival should be a formality now and could offer experiments

It would take something quite extraordinary for the Terriers to drop down to League One now, with Wigan Athletic's latest home defeat and Rotherham United's win meaning the gap to the bottom three is expanding.

And, by securing a win of their own, Town are now well-placed to confirm their status as a second-tier club for a fourth year in succession and - though he may not yet admit it - Powell is inching ever closer to a luxurious position where he can experiment and tinker with his side.

Several of the club's talented youngsters are banging hard on the door in the hope of some first-team involvement between now and the end of this season and while the manager is understandably preaching patience over their respective breakthroughs, he can afford to take one or two gambles.

Barring a staggering combination of results against Town, this is a chance to witness first hand whether Town's various prodigies can make the step up and a host of second-string players, akin to Gobern, will be keen to impress.

Derby County aside, the remaining games are also kind on Town, with very few clubs left during the run-in having much to play for and although it is not yet a mathematical certainty, Powell can have confidence his side will get the job done sooner rather than later.