Jack Clarke’s double helped Ipswich Town to a 2-0 win over Bristol City at Portman Road. 

A goal in each half for the 25-year-old secured maximum points for the hosts, seeing City fall to 11th in the league table. 

Emil Riis came closest for City, but was denied by Christian Walton, leaving City to return to BS3 empty-handed. 

Gerhard Struber made one change from the Robins’ goalless draw to Oxford United as Mark Sykes returned from injury to replace Sam Morsy. 

Zak Vyner was forced off in the 27th minute due to injury, with Morsy stepping in to replace the defender. 

City next host 24th-place Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, January 24th (3pm). 

The Town took the lead through Clarke in the ninth minute,  as he picked up the ball in a nice area and cut inside onto his right foot before placing a low effort into the bottom corner and out of the reach of Radek Vítek. 

City were almost level 18 minutes in, after a mistake from the Tractor Boys saw Riis one-on-one with Walton, but coming up short. 

Iván Azón and former Ipswich man Morsy tried their luck with efforts from distance before George Tanner and Vítek made vital interventions to deny Jens Cajuste and Azón, both from inside the area.  

Before the break, The Robins would have a second opportunity to level after Scott Twine’s smart backheel found Riis, whose volley went straight at the goalkeeper. 

Anis Mehmeti’s fierce effort in the 52nd minute, forced a good save from Walton before Clarke bagged his second of the night by meeting Azón’s cross with a good finish into the bottom left-hand corner, three minutes later. 

Then, Twine fired over from the top of the box moments before substitutes Cam Pring and George Earthy linked well before Earthy dragged an effort just wide of the target. 

Despite their best efforts, City failed to mount a comeback, leaving Ipswich Town to claim three points. 

Starting XI: Vítek, Tanner, Dickie (C), Atkinson (Roberts 80’), Sykes (Earthy 59’), Borges (Pring 59’), Vyner (Morsy 27’), Randell, Twine, Mehmeti, Riis (Armstrong 59’)

Subs: Lumley, Bell, Pecover, Knight

Yellow Cards: Borges, Morsy, Tanner, Armstrong 

UP NEXT AT ASHTON GATE

Bristol City host Sheffield Wednesday in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday, January 24th (3pm)