Nottingham Forest ended their seven-match goalless drought by securing an away victory at Portman Road.

A Marcus Tudgay brace and a Gareth McCleary strike gave Steve Cotterill the welcome win.

Forest had gone 630 minutes without scoring but were ahead after just five minutes when Tudgay made an encouraging start for the visitors count.

McCleary doubled the lead 20 minutes later by collecting a weak defensive header from Damien Delaney, holding off a couple of Ipswich challenges before rifling past Arran Lee-Barrett.

After the break Forest resumed their dominance and were unlucky not to be further ahead when the home side pulled a goal back from the spot.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas won the spot kick, which Grant Leadbitter saw hit both posts before going over to give the Tractor Boys hope.

Tudgay restored Forest's two-goal advantage with his second just three minutes later by heading Andy Reid's centre back across goal.

Forest remain in the bottom three but are now only behind Bristol City on goal difference while Paul Jewell's men remain 19th.