Ipswich Town moved into the play-off places at the expense of Cardiff City after a well-deserved success at Ninian Park.
The Bluebirds were rarely in the game until the closing minutes, when Peter Thorne made it 3-2, and Joe Royle's side fully deserved a victory.
Ipswich took the lead in the 28th minute after Mark Bonner downed Ian Westlake in the box. Tommy Miller, who had replaced injured skipper Jim Magilton a minute earlier, gave his side a deserved lead from the spot.
Five minutes later the unmarked George Santos doubled the lead when he headed home from a corner.
Robert Earnshaw raised home hopes with his 21st goal of the season and his 100th for the club when he despatched a penalty in the 57th minute after Tony Vidmar had been felled in the box.
Ipswich restored their two-goal advantage thanks to a blunder from City keeper Neil Alexander, who flapped at an 82nd minute corner to gift Chris Bart-Williams an easy score.
Thorne powered in a header four minutes later to set up a rousing finish, but the visitors held firm for a deserved victory.