Ipswich Town still have 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.

And 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 visitors 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 their own top-two chances alive, so it was no surprise that they 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.

And 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.

Data Debrief: Promotion race goes to the wire

Ipswich are now unbeaten in their last six away league games against Southampton, though five of those have finished level (the other being a 1-0 win in September 2023).

A point may not be what Kieran McKenna's team were hoping for, but it is a better result for them than it is Southampton, who are bound for the play-offs.

Ipswich had 19 shots to Southampton's 18 over the course of the game, also edging the expected goals (xG) battle by 1.75 to 1.01 and having more than twice as many attempts on target (nine to four). But if they cannot beat QPR this weekend, nerves will be jangling.