It took the home side just a few minutes to break the deadlock as Adam Clayton crossed the ball in from a short corner, setting up Dani Ayala to head in from close range.

Daniel Ayala of Middlesbrough scores the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town at the Riverside Stadium on March 14, 2015 © Getty Images

Things got worse for Ipswich a few minutes later when keeper Dean Gerken was forced off after appearing to be knocked out in an accidental clash with one of his teammates while attempting to clear the Clayton cross.

The visitors responded quickly once the action resumed though as Jonathan Parr unleashed a long-range effort, which Dimitrios Konstantopoulos parried into the path of Daryl Murphy to leave him with a simple tap-in for his 23rd goal of the season.

Albert Adomah of Middlesbrough celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town at the Riverside Stadium on March 14, 2015 © Getty Images

Ipswich could have been ahead later in the half when Murphy attempted to head in from a powerful strike in from Jay Tabb, but the woodwork kept his finish out.

Mick McCarthy's side continued to look the more likely, but it was the home side that regained the lead on the half-hour mark when a string of passes in the Ipswich area following a corner eventually set up Albert Adomah for a low bullet into the bottom corner.

Patrick Bamford could have extended the lead for Aitor Karanka's men shortly before the break when he burst into the box after a quick break, but he lost his footing before he could make the most of the opportunity.