Sky Bet Championship: Ipswich Slip In Play-off Race As Stoke Draw Boosts Hull And Rivals

Add as a preferred source on Google

Late drama across the Sky Bet Championship keeps the promotion and relegation battles tight, as Ipswich Town drop points in a six-goal thriller at Stoke City while Hull City close in, Millwall maintain pressure on Middlesbrough, and Leicester City climb out of the bottom three with an important home victory.

The highest profile twist comes at the bet365 Stadium, where Ipswich lead 3-2 on 82 minutes but draw 3-3 after Milan Smit converts a stoppage-time penalty for Stoke City. That equaliser means Ipswich lose ground in the chase for automatic promotion places, despite recovering from two goals behind earlier in the match.

Hull City take full advantage of Ipswich slipping up, moving within two points after a 2-1 home win against fellow promotion hopefuls Wrexham. Joe Gelhardt scores first on 40 minutes, extending a strong scoring run, although Arthur Okonkwo denies Gelhardt from the penalty spot four minutes later to keep Wrexham in touch.

Lewis Koumas adds Hull's second shortly after the hour mark, giving the Tigers a cushion before Wrexham respond. Nathan Broadhead cuts the deficit with 14 minutes left, but Hull hold firm. That result, combined with Ipswich's draw, tightens the promotion race and increases pressure on those chasing automatic spots.

Elsewhere in the Sky Bet Championship, Millwall gain another crucial win by beating Derby County 1-0, staying close behind second-place Middlesbrough. Josh Coburn scores the only goal during the first half, and Millwall then protect the narrow advantage, adding weight to their push near the top of the table.

At the other end of the Sky Bet Championship, Leicester City move out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win against Bristol City. Ben Nelson and Abdul Fatawu strike inside 28 minutes, putting Leicester firmly ahead. Emil Riis then sees a second-half penalty saved by Jakub Stolarczyk, ending Bristol City's play-off push for the night.

The Stoke City versus Ipswich Town contest swings several times. Smit scores first on 35 minutes, claiming a maiden goal in English football, and Bae Jun-Ho doubles the advantage just before half-time. Ipswich respond when an Eric-Junior Bocat own goal narrows the margin, before Jack Taylor and George Hirst put Ipswich ahead.

Cedric Kipre then brings down Lamine Cisse inside the penalty area during stoppage time, handing Stoke a final chance. Smit steps up and converts the spot-kick, sealing a 3-3 draw and completing a personal brace. The late equaliser keeps Stoke's spirits high and leaves Ipswich frustrated after a strong comeback seemed enough.

Match data underlines why Stoke feel the point is fair. Ipswich concede a fifth league penalty this season, the joint-highest figure in the division. Stoke register 15 shots to Ipswich's 17 but record 3.43 expected goals against Ipswich's 1.48, with both sides also striking the woodwork in a very open encounter.