Blackburn 0-1 Ipswich: Conor Chaplin nets winner after Aynsley Pears’ gaffe as Kieran McKenna’s side go top of the Championship… with the hosts having three goals ruled out by the officials

Ipswich moved into the automatic promotion places after a mistake by Blackburn’s Aynsley Pears handed Conor Chaplin an early winner.

Chaplin’s tame shot twisted through the goalkeeper’s hands after nine minutes to allow the Tractor Boys to overtake a Leicester side who had lost earlier on Good Friday.

They had to take advantage of their luck at times, as Blackburn had three goals disallowed and visiting goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky was forced to make several saves.

But with seven games remaining, Kieran McKenna’s side look good for back-to-back promotions, a notable feat as they compete with three clubs who were in the Premier League last season.

The Blues boss admitted: “It was a really challenging last 30 minutes but you have to enjoy every away win.”

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“It was a mixed performance. “We were skilled in the first half, but then fatigue made us feel bad and we couldn’t maintain control.”

Rovers are still seeking their first win under John Eustace after 10 attempts and are just three points above the relegation zone.

They were furious when their equalizer celebrations were interrupted on three occasions.

In the first half, Ben Chrisene was declared offside after having “assisted” George Edmondson to score into his own goal and then the championship’s top scorer, Sammie Szmodics, was in an offside position when Joe Rankin-Costell shot home.

After the break, Scott Wharton was adjudged to have broken into Hladky before Andy Moran drove home from eight yards.

Not surprisingly, managers had very different opinions about the incidents.

Eustace said: “I don’t think Scott fouled the goalkeeper. It was a fair challenge for the ball. The referee was late with his whistle, I think he got some information from somewhere else.

‘I feel very bad. Sammie was also not in front of his goalie during Joe’s shot.

Rovers fans serenaded Attwell with “You’re not fit to referee” but McKenna disagreed. ‘His player (Szmodics) was a meter in front of Vaclav and was jumping.

The foul on the goalkeeper was clear and everyone heard the whistle. “I thought the referee did well.”

Ipswich had watched Leicester lose while watching TV in their hotel at lunchtime and quickly began to take advantage.

Nathan Broadhead had already called for a penalty before the visitors scored early.

Leif Davis advanced from left back and produced a cutback for Chaplin to fire in from the edge of the area.

Although the midfielder, returning from a back injury, did not make the best connection with his left foot, the ball bounced off Pears’ gloves and went in.

The visitors were as bright as their orange shirts in that first half and Kieffer Moore’s header almost contributed to Chaplin’s 13th goal of the season.

But it was a different story after the interval. Hladky brilliantly denied Szmodics twice and the previously underused goalkeeper also frustrated Wharton from a corner.

The concerned McKenna switched all of his forward three midway through the second half, but his team still remained under attack, although they survived.

Rovers will have to quickly reverse a run of one win in 18 league games to avoid relegation to League One and their cause was not helped by having several unavailable through illness.

Under the circumstances, Eustace said, “I’m frustrated but also very proud.” The effort was outstanding.

“I’m very encouraged by the number of opportunities we created. We need someone other than Sammie to put the ball in the net.

For Ipswich, their ability to fight back against Leeds, Leicester and Monday’s rivals Southampton is impressive.

They appreciated that they were not at their best at Ewood Park and will look to improve. “We like to base ourselves on performance,” said goalscorer Chaplin.