Brighton & Hove Albion have missed their chance to move into the Championship playoffs, crashing to a 2-0 home defeat at the hands Ipswich Town this afternoon.
The Seagulls were the first to threaten, with Jesse Lingard getting in behind the visitors' defence to force an early save out of Dean Gerken.
Brighton applied further pressure in the 19th minute when Ipswich failed to clear a corner, allowing Bruno to pick out Leonardo Ulloa, but Gerken came to the Tractor Boys' rescue again.
Ipswich had their first attack of any note moments later when Anthony Wordsworth latched onto Aaron Cresswell's pass and let fly, his effort sailing wide to the left.
Mick McCarthy's side did manage to find the net before the half-time whistle, but Jonny Williams's strike was ruled out as an offside flag was raised against the midfielder.
Brighton had a great chance to break the deadlock five minutes after the restart, Lingard stinging the palms of Gerken with a volley before Stephen Ward's follow-up effort was deflected behind.
However, it was Ipswich who took the lead as Tommy Smith pounced in the area following a corner, heading Daryl Murphy's nod-on over the line at the far post with an hour played.
The hosts were the better side, but that did not stop McCarthy's men from doubling their advantage through a glancing Murphy header with 10 minutes remaining to put the game beyond their opponents.
Mark Langshaw
