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Ipswich came from a goal behind to overcome Cardiff 2-1 and record their second Championship win of the season at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The hosts went in front courtesy of Peter Whittingham's rasping volley in the 35th minute as the midfielder lashed home his 13th goal of the campaign.

Ipswich skipper Jon Walters drew his side level with a ferocious shot in the 73rd minute as Roy Keane's side looked set to record their sixth draw in seven matches.

But substitute Jon Stead (pictured) pounced five minutes from time to snatch the winner with a clinical finish, as Ipswich clinched their first away win of the season.

Ipswich pressed forward incessantly in the second half after Cardiff had seized the initiative in the opening period, and both sides contrived to miss numerous clear-cut chances in an entertaining encounter which the visitors deserved to edge.

Richard Wright returned to Keane's starting line-up, but both the Ipswich goalkeeper and his opposite number David Marshall were forced off after they sustained first-half injuries.

Ipswich had the first meaningful chance in the fifth minute as Carlos Edwards whipped in a stunning delivery from the right which Walters somehow contrived to head wide after stealing in at the back post.

Four minutes later, Jay Bothroyd struck the bar for the hosts as the forward lashed a fierce shot from the edge of the Ipswich box which crashed against the woodwork with Wright well beaten.

The crossbar had barely ceased shaking before Joe Ledley created space down the Cardiff left and found Whittingham, who unleashed a fizzing shot which was tipped on to the bar by Wright, who showed superb reflexes in doing so.

Ipswich really should have broken the deadlock on the half-hour mark as Grant Leadbitter whipped in an exquisite free-kick from out on the right, and Stern John - who was making his Town debut after moving from Crystal Palace in the week - slid agonisingly close to converting the delivery from close range.

The visitors would rue their profligacy as Bothroyd flicked Gyepes's through ball on to Whittingham, who lashed home a crisp left-footed volley past substitute goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett to open the scoring.

John had another good opportunity to open his Ipswich account at the start of the second half as he was put clean through by Owen Garvan's incisive pass but Enckleman smothered the ball after haring off his line as the forward dallied.

Keane made his full allocation of substitutions midway through the second half, but it was the captain Walters who produced the inspiration the Suffolk side had previously lacked.

Garvan slipped through a deft through ball which found Walters in space, and the forward unleashed an emphatic shot which flew unerringly into the corner of Enckleman's net.

Bothroyd produced a neat finish five minutes later to beat Lee-Barrett from close range, only to see the offside flag raised as wheeled away in celebration.

Ipswich were undeterred by their spate of missed chances earlier on and substitute Stead was on hand to seal victory with an opportunist finish after fine play from fellow replacement Alan Quinn in the 85th minute.

The home fans streamed out of the exits disconsolately as the Bluebirds were beaten for a third match in succession, while Keane and his Ipswich side were buoyed by their second win of a tumultuous Championship campaign.

Town move above Plymouth into 22nd spot, albeit having played a game more than the Pilgrims, while Cardiff squander the opportunity to pip Nottingham Forest into fourth place.

Dan Quarrell / Eurosport