Ipswich Town 1-1 Birmingham City

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 17 April 2012

Birmingham City will have to wait to secure their spot in the Championship play-offs after they were pegged back to draw 1-1 with Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

Birmingham City moved a step closer to booking their place in the Championship playoffs with a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town at Portman Road tonight.

Chris Burke put the Blues ahead in first-half injury time but Jay Emmanuel-Thomas equalised to earn the hosts a deserved point.

The Tractor Boys had much the better of the opening exchanges but failed to create any clear-cut chances.

Michael Chopra couldn't convert their best early opportunity as he headed wide from Lee Martin's cross.

Chris Hughton's visitors then took the lead against then run of play as Burke slotted in from close range following Marlon King's pass.

Chopra was guilty of missing another headed chance, but Ipswich did move onto level terms when Emmaneul-Thomas's strike was deflected in past Colin Doyle.

Nicola Zigic nearly snatched the game for the Blues late on but his effort was cleared off the line.

The result means Birmingham are five points clear of seventh-placed Middlesbrough with just two games remaining.