IPSWICH Town ensured its fans had a Happy Easter with a fine victory over fellow play-off chasers Sunderland in the Portman Road sunshine.An injury-time penalty at the end of the first half was all that separated these two sides in what was a fine advert for first division football.

IPSWICH Town ensured its fans had a Happy Easter with a fine victory over fellow play-off chasers Sunderland in the Portman Road sunshine.

An injury-time penalty at the end of the first half was all that separated these two sides in what was a fine advert for first division football.

Town strikers Darren Bent and Shefki Kuqi caused problems for the Sunderland defence all afternoon.

And it was Bent who made the penalty after he was brought down by stand-in Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Myhre at the end of the first half.

Tommy Miller showed no nerves as he stepped up to take the kick and blasted it past the Norwegian keeper.

But it was the much-maligned Town defence that deserves the praise after this game – for once it looked cohesive and in total command.

Town were rewarded with an all-too-rare clean sheet which pleased the large crowd.

With just four matches left in the season – and with West Ham and Millwall both dropping points – Ipswich are now well in the play-off frame.

Their destiny is in their own hands.