Brett Pitman's sixth goal in 11 games has put Ipswich Town on course for victory away to relegation-threatened MK Dons.

Daryl Murphy, who has scored six in his last four matches, threatened an early breakthrough for the away side when he fired an early shot wide of David Martin's goal.

At the other end, it was former Ipswich frontman Dean Bowditch who almost netted a spectacular opener when his strike from distance had Dean Gerken sprawling across, but his effort ultimately missed the target.

However, it was Mick McCarthy's men who took the lead as Luke Chambers's incisive low cross found Pitman, who stooped low to head home, although replays suggest that Jonas Knudsen's tackle on Kyle McFadzean should have been penalised earlier in play.

Buoyed on by 3,000 travelling fans from Suffolk, Ipswich almost added a second when Freddie Sears latched on to a long ball and tried to lob an onrushing Martin, but the striker-turned-winger failed to find the back of the net.

The visitors continued to apply pressure to the Dons' defence and wasted another chance to increase their lead after Jonathan Douglas volleyed wide.

Murphy, last season's top scorer in the Championship with 27 goals, tried to get in on the act and, in a carbon copy of Sears's chance, the Irishman raced onto a through pass, but lobbed the ball wide of the target, with Martin in no-man's land.

With half time approaching, MK tried to get back on level terms as Bowditch's corner found McFadzean, only for the defender to mistime his header as the ball flew harmlessly over the crossbar.

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