Jay Tabb's goal 14 minutes from time has earned Ipswich Town a 2-1 victory over Stevenage in the first round of the League Cup at Portman Road.

Mick McCarthy's side looked the more dangerous for much of the early stages in Suffolk, but it was a frustrating opening to the match when Brett Pitman fired a good chance wide from Larsen Toure's cross.

Despite Ipswich's early dominance, it was Stevenage who improved as the first half progressed and an uneventful opening 33 minutes was forgotten when Teddy Sheringham watched his team take the lead with a stroke of luck.

Dean Parrett was responsible for forcing the error as he created space to unleash a shot which Dean Gerken saved, but the Ipswich goalkeeper was left helpless as the ball rebounded off Christophe Berra before crossing the line.

Stevenage were twice given a scare as Ipswich piled the pressure on late in the first half, with Pitman firing wide after being picked out by David McGoldrick, before Tabb forced Chris Day into a fine save with a powerful strike.

Ipswich emerged reinvigorated following the interval, but it appeared that they would regret another missed chance when Josh Yorweth sliced wide after reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box.

However, the defender quickly made up for the miss when he climbed highest to head home Ryan Fraser's corner and level the tie.

Ipswich threatened to run away with the match after taking the lead, but Day twice came to the rescue to get hands to headers from Pitman and McGoldrick.

Fraser's influence continued to grow in the latter stages as he fired a shot of his own into the side-netting, before delivering a cross which Luke Chambers could only head wide.

Ipswich were finally rewarded for a long spell on top as a patient passing move resulted in Pitman releasing McGoldrick, whose clever touch allowed Tabb to sneak in at the back post with a simple finish.

It was a controversial finish after the referee had pointed to the spot when Parrett went down under pressure from Berra, but the decision was quickly reversed following a consultation between officials and Sheringham was left angered on the touchline as his side's impressive challenge ended in defeat.