IPSWICH Town finally secured their place in the play-offs - despite failing to beat Cardiff in the final game of the league campaign today.A 1-1 draw with the visiting Bluebirds was enough to clinch a top six finish for Joe Royle's side as both Wigan and Sheffield United failed to grab the wins needed to overtake Town.

IPSWICH Town finally secured their place in the play-offs - despite failing to beat Cardiff in the final game of the league campaign today.

A 1-1 draw with the visiting Bluebirds was enough to clinch a top six finish for Joe Royle's side as both Wigan and Sheffield United failed to grab the wins needed to overtake Town.

Shefki Kuqi's 27th minute goal eventually proved crucial as the Blues claimed fifth place in the First Division table and booked a play-off semi-final clash with West Ham, who drew 1-1 at Wigan thanks to Brian Deane's last-gasp leveller.

The Blues will now entertain the Hammers in the first leg on Saturday, May 15 (12.15pm kick-off), with the second leg scheduled for Upton Park on Tuesday, May 18 (7.45pm). Crystal Palace will meet Sunderland in the other tie.

Darren Bent was denied by Cardiff goalkeeper Martyn Margetson soon after Kuqi had broken the deadlock.

And Royle's men - and the home fans in a packed Portman Road crowd - were forced to sweat on other results after Ipswich midfielder Jermaine Wright appeared to deflect Lee Bullock's header past Town keeper Kelvin Davis just before the interval.