Wolverhampton Wanderers came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town at Molineux this afternoon.
Richard Stearman headed into his own net to give the Tractor Boys the lead midway through the first half.
Wolves equalised five minutes after the break when Rajiv van La Parra's deflected strike was turned in at the back post by Benik Afobe.
There were few chances created in the remaining minutes of the game, as Ipswich held on to keep their grip on sixth place.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Hello everyone! There are just three games left to play in the Championship this season and today two teams in the hunt for promotion meet for crucial points. We'll have all the action from Molineux covered for you live, as Wolverhampton Wanderers take on Ipswich Town.
A four-game winning run had propelled Wolves into the thick of the promotion race, but they have suffered defeats to Birmingham and Middlesbrough in their last two outings, leaving them eighth in the table and desperately needing a positive result today.
Sitting three points ahead of Wolves in the final playoff spot are Ipswich, who seem to have recovered from their recent dip in form. The Tractor Boys have claimed home wins over Blackpool and Cardiff in the last seven days and they are now in pole position to reach the playoffs.
TEAM NEWS: Wolves have made a couple of changes to their side, as Nouha Dicko and Scott Golbourne return following the defeat at Middlesbrough. There's just the one change made by Ipswich, with Jay Tabb replacing Stephen Hunt.
WOLVES XI: Ikeme, Iorfa, Batth, Stearman, Golbourne, van La Parra, McDonald, Edwards, Sako, Afobe, Dicko
IPSWICH XI: Bialkowski, Chambers, Smith, Berra,Parr, Skuse, Bishop, Tabb, Mings, Sears, Murphy
WOLVES SUBS: McCarey, Doherty, Henry, Doyle, Price, Ebanks-Landell, Jacobs
IPSWICH SUBS: Gerken, Anderson, Hunt, Fryers, Chaplow, Wood, Williams
I know it's been said plenty of times before, but a week really is a long time in football. Heading into last weekend's games, it was Wolves who occupied sixth spot and they were three points ahead of Ipswich. However, that is all change today and Ipswich will be on the verge of booking a playoff spot if they win.
There could be plenty of changes in the top six today, with some big games to come in the 3pm kick offs. Bournemouth, Watford and Brentford will all be expected to claim home wins, while fifth-place Derby have a tricky looking game at Huddersfield.
When these teams met back in November, it was Ipswich who came out on top with a 2-1 victory. Daryl Murphy gave the Tractor Boys the lead and although James Henry equalised shortly after the break, a second goal from Murphy sealed the points.
The teams have just made their way out onto the pitch to a great reception from the supporters and we are now just three minutes away from kick off!
KICKOFF! We are underway at Molineux!
SHOT! Ipswich are on top in the early stages of this match and they are pressing their opponents high up the pitch. They also manage to work the first shooting chance, as Murphy controls a low cross from Sears, before swiveling and poking an effort wide of the far post.
Down the other end of the pitch Wolves threaten when Iorfa is freed down the right. He then whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Bialkowski comes to claim and manages to keep hold of the ball.
Wolves are looking much better now and their forward players are causing a number of problems. Dicko has shown his strength on a couple of occasions and he is unlucky to see his low cross cleared away after a powerful run down the left.
Afobe almost has a chance when Van La Parra whips a great ball in from the left that is just over his head. Moments later the impressive Dicko charges down the right and manages to force a corner, but once again Ipswich survive unscathed.
The visitors are seeing a bit more possession at the moment, but whenever they lose the ball they look very susceptible on the counter attack. We're still yet to see any clear chances on goal for either side, with both keepers relatively untroubled so far.
Ipswich really can't handle Dicko at the moment and after he wins possession just inside the visitors' half he looks to have a clear run on goal. However, instead of powering towards the box, he shifts the ball out wide and a poor touch allows Berra to get across and clear the danger.
More good play from Wolves, as Iorfa brings the ball up from the back and glides through the midfield. He then slides in Van La Parra down the right, but the Dutchman's delivery into the box is poor and easily cleared by Ipswich.
It's turning into a real battle in the heart of the midfield and I would imagine that Ipswich are happier with how things are going. They know that a point will keep them in pole position to reach the playoffs, while only a win will do for the hosts.
GOAL! Wolves 0-1 Ipswich (Richard Stearman own goal)
What a massive moment in the season this could prove to be, as Ipswich take the lead at Molineux. It's Stearman who puts the ball into his own net after flicking on Bishop's corner. He was under heavy pressure from Smith, but it's a poor goal to give away at such a vital time.
That strike means that Ipswich would move six points ahead of Wolves in the table, while they also have a vastly superior goal difference. Wolves really have it all to do now if they are to have any chance of getting into the top six.
Wolves have struggled to create many real opportunities today and Dicko has another half-chance with a header that he can't direct on target. They just look a little bit flat at the moment, as the goal did come out of the blue.
Ipswich are making it tough for Wolves to gain any momentum and they are really taking the sting out of the game. They did look in trouble early on, but the front three of Wolves have shown little danger in the past 10 minutes.
Dicko gives the crowd something to cheer about, as he drives into the box and fires in a strike that is well blocked by Berra. They need to get him on the ball as much as possible, as his direct running is so hard to defend at times.
YELLOW CARD! Parr deservedly picks up a booking for a poor tackle from behind on Afobe.
This is a really bad call from the linesman. Dicko latches onto a great ball over the top from Sako, but he is wrongly flagged offside. The visitors were fortunate to get away with that, but they are playing such a high line this afternoon.
OFF THE POST! Wolves are so close to getting back into the game. Ipswich make a mess of clearing the ball and it lands to Edwards on the edge of the box. The midfielder then fires in a strike which takes a slight deflection on its way through before crashing against the post.
YELLOW CARD! It's another booking Ipswich and Tabb goes into the referee's notebook for a crunching challenge on Dicko. The Wolves man has been left in a heap on the floor and he is now being treated by the medical staff.
Dicko is back on the pitch, although he is still limping. It's his knee which seems to be giving him some trouble and Wolves will be hoping that he can shake that off during the half-time break.
There are going to be two minutes of stoppage time.
HALF-TIME: Wolves 0-1 Ipswich
It's half time at Molineux and Ipswich have the lead in this vital Championship clash. An own goal from Richard Stearman separates the teams and it has left Wolves' hopes of reaching the playoffs hanging by a thread.
Wolves have been seen plenty of the ball in the first half, with 57% of the possession, but they have not been able to trouble the Ipswich defence too often. They have had five shots on goal, compared to just one from Ipswich, but neither team has had a shot on target.
This isn't the only Championship game that we've got live coverage of today, as right after we're finished at Molineux, we will be switching over to watch Huddersfield's clash against promotion-chasing Derby.
Wolves take the kick off and get the second half started.
CLOSE! What a great chance for Wolves at the start of the half! Sako whips in a curling free kick that is met by Dicko at the back post, but he can only place his header wide. He really should have found the back of the net, but it's positive from the hosts.
GOAL! Wolves 1-1 Ipswich (Benik Afobe)
Wolves have started this half strongly and they are deservedly back on level terms. Van La Parra shows great skill to cut into the box and he then fires in a strike which takes a deflection and drops kindly to Afobe at the back post, who clinically slots the ball past Bialkowski.
SHOT! Sears has scored four goals in his last four games and he shows his threat when he hammers in a strike from range. It is well hit, but straight at the keeper who comfortably holds onto the ball.
Ipswich have a real problem as Murphy is down and I'm not sure that he's going to be able to continue. That is such a massive blow as he has been one of the best players in the Championship this season.
Things have just gone a little bit quiet since the Wolves equaliser, but it is still the home side who look more dangerous at the moment. The atmosphere is just a bit flat too, although there is still a long way to go in this game yet.
SUBSTITUTION: Wolves make their first change of the match, with Henry coming on for Van La Parra.
SUBSTITUTION: Ipswich are also making a change, as Anderson comes on to replace Parr.
We haven't seen too many chances on goal this afternoon and I wouldn't expect that to change in the final quarter of this match. Both teams look slightly nervous and a defeat could be a massive blow for their promotion hopes, with Wolves more in need of the points.
Berra has had a super game for Ipswich today and he pulls off a couple of great tackles to deny Dicko. The Scot has been a rock at the back for Ipswich and his presence will be vital in the remaining minutes of this game and in the last few games of the season.
This sums up the attacking play from the visitors this afternoon. Sears is able to come a long way and he gets to within 25 yards of the goal before drilling in a strike, but he gets it all wrong and drags his attempt well wide of the target.
SUBSTITUTION: It's another change for the visitors, as Hunt is on for Bishop.
SHOT! Hunt almost makes an immediate impact from the bench when he works some room and fires in a strike from range. However, like so many of the attempts we've seen this afternoon, it fails to trouble the keeper and flies well over the bar.
At this point in the game I'd expect to see more urgency from Wolves, but the late surge has not arrived. They have managed to get into some good areas, but they are just not making their possession count at the moment.
Very nearly a chance for Dicko as Ikeme's long kick is allowed to bounce by the Ipswich defence. The strike tries to use his strength, but Berra and Smith do just enough to hold him off as Bialkowski comes to collect.
SUBSTITUTION: Ipswich are making their final change of the match, as Sears heads off to be replaced by Woods.
This is such a waste from Wolves. They win a free kick in a very promising area just outside the box, but instead of whipping in a cross, Sako tries to play it short to Dicko and ends up giving it away.
CHANCE! Ipswich break quickly down the other end of the pitch, with Wood fed down the left. He then drives inside and works some space, before firing a strike just wide of the far post.
YELLOW CARD! This is a harsh booking from the referee, as Dicko goes up for a challenge with Chambers that leaves the Ipswich man on the floor. Dicko is shown a card, but there was no malice in that from the striker.
There are going to be at least four minutes of stoppage time.
CHANCE! This might just be the final opportunity of the game for Wolves. The ball breaks kindly to McDonald just inside the box and he has plenty of space to shoot, but he ends up dragging his effort across the goal and wide of the far post.
FULL-TIME: Wolves 1-1 Ipswich
The game comes to an end at Molineux and Wolves have battled back to earn a point. It may not be enough to help them in their promotion challenge, as Ipswich retain their three point lead over them in the table.
We're finished here, but stick around as I'll be bringing you more live coverage from the Championship as Derby travel to Huddersfield. Until then, goodbye!
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
