Ipswich 2 West Ham 3: IPSWICH Town slipped deeper into the Premiership's relegation dogfight following a 3-2 home defeat to West Ham United.

IPSWICH Town slipped deeper into the Premiership's relegation dogfight following a 3-2 home defeat to West Ham United.

Paolo Di Canio gave West Ham a half-time lead with a neatly taken finish after good work from Frederic Kanoute.

In the 63rd minute Hermann Hriedarsson equalised for Town after Shaka Hislop flapped at a Mark Venus free-kick but just nine minutes later the impressive Kanoute had restored the Hammers' lead with a deflected shot which left Matteo Sereni with no chance.

Town pressed forward to find a second equaliser but with two minutes left West Ham clinched the points when Jermaine Defoe raced clear of Town debutant Thomas Gaardsoe and fired home.

Matt Holland immediately brought Town back within one goal with a 30 yard shot into the top corner but Ipswich could do nothing more to prevent a disappointing home defeat.