After Town's Victory, Manager Joe Royle said: "We started sloppily today but by half-time we could have been about 6-4 ahead. In the second half we took charge, but as usual we let them in for the goal which led to a nervous last five minutes.
"No-one could have complained if we'd scored double figures, we deserved to win 3-2, and if anything I think that flattered them.
"The front two were the difference today. Shefki deserved a goal. He can be magnificent one minute and then miss from two inches the next, but no-one works harder. He's quick as well.
"We eventually got hold of the game, hit the bar, got shots cleared off the line and missed from two inches. We had two weeks off before the game and took a little time to get into it. Derby have five forward-thinking players, you have to watch them when they have the ball, but we felt we could run off them.
"We've been playing catch-up and now we're only behind on goal difference. Today's results surprised me - I thought Sunderland had the harder fixture. We've won three of our last four and scored nine goals in our last two home games."
Derby boss George Burley said: "We made mistakes and when you make bad mistakes for goals it costs you. We started very brightly, got the goal and had other chances, but we were then caught on the break with a deflected goal.
"After going 3-1 down we got a goal back and had a chance with a late header, but it was a cracking game, end-to-end with loads of chances, but the goals we conceded were disappointing.
"We had to work hard for our goals, but Ipswich were given theirs on a plate. Overall, Ipswich deserved to win. They showed a lot of quality, and our two young centre-halves struggled against their front two. We showed a lot of strength and pace.
"At 3-2 there were a few nervous moments when we might have got an equaliser. When we were one up we had two or three opportunities to go two up, but I said before the game I felt we were still a little short of Ipswich although we have made a lot of progress.
"We are aiming for 74 or 75 points and probably need four wins and one or two draws from our remaining games to get in the play-offs. No-one expected that - we were one of the relegation favourites.
"It was a great result for Ipswich and I have my fingers crossed that they get promoted and we get into the play-offs. It's all to play for, it's been a cracking season, a good League and today was a great advert for Championship football."