Southampton out of automatic promotion race
Ipswich Town still has work to do in the Championship promotion race despite equalising late on in a 2-2 draw with Southampton, whose hopes of a top-two finish are over.
The Tractor Boys knew a victory at St Mary's would move them three points clear of third-placed Millwall going into the final matchday, and given their vastly superior goal difference, they would have been all but assured of a return to the Premier League.
They were on course for the win when, after a back-and-forth first half that saw Cyle Larin and Ivan Azon go close at either end, Wes Burns struck for Ipswich.
The visitor pressed high to recover possession three minutes after the interval, and when Azon opportunistically flicked the ball into Burns' path, his right-footed drive beat Daniel Peretz for power.
But Southampton hit back within 10 minutes after Jacob Greaves chopped down Finn Azaz on the edge of the area. From the resulting free-kick, Ryan Manning fired off a low effort that flicked off Marcelino Nunez and past the outstretched leg of Christian Walton.
Southampton needed a victory to keep its own top-two chances alive, so it was no surprise that it took the initiative as Leo Scienza curled narrowly wide of the top-right corner and Azaz sent a ferocious effort spinning past the left-hand post.
Larin sent the home fans into raptures when, with 10 minutes remaining, he latched onto Manning's pass, sent both Greaves and Leif Davis scurrying the wrong way with a clever turn, then prodded past Walton with the outside of his boot.
Kasey McAteer missed a good chance to draw Ipswich level, but Jack Clarke would not be denied in the 87th minute, as his volley bounced into the far corner following a scramble on the edge of the area.
Clarke could have won it for Ipswich on two occasions, prodding against the near post and seeing a left-footed strike repelled by Peretz, but they must win at home to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday to be certain of finishing second.
Anything less than three points would open the door for Millwall, who are a point behind the Tractor Boys but have no realistic chance of overhauling their goal difference, or Middlesbrough, who are another point back.
