The Tractor Boys are back above Millwall on goal difference and with a game in hand, as they close in on a return to the Premier League a year after they were relegated.

In the first of three pivotal away games in six days, they started badly, falling behind to a Greg Docherty goal inside the first minute.

But they hit back through a superb Darnell Furlong strike and a Philogene penalty to keep their automatic promotion bid firmly in their own hands.

Charlton are still not mathematically safe from relegation but frustrated manager Nathan Jones made eight changes to his side from the 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday, their sixth game without a win.

The move looked to have paid off instantly as Docherty fired the hosts into a shock lead after only 42 seconds.

Ben Johnson’s mistake allowed Tyreece Campbell to burst down the right and when his angled drive was palmed away by Christian Walton the ball fell to the Addicks skipper who thumped it into an unguarded net.

Ipswich took a while to get into their stride but when they did Philogene volleyed over before Dara O’Shea headed straight at Addicks keeper Thomas Kaminski.

Then Ivan Azon made an awful mess of a Furlong cross, right in front of goal, when he kicked the ball with his right foot against his left leg and watched it roll feebly wide.

The equaliser came after 36 minutes when Azor Matusiwa found Furlong 20 yards out and the full-back lashed his shot beyond Kaminski into the far corner.

It was a timely first goal for Ipswich for the 30-year-old, who moved to Suffolk from West Brom last summer.

Furnell also played a major role in Ipswich’s second, 12 minutes after half-time, when he was sent tumbling in the area by Macaulay Gillesphey.

Philogene’s spot-kick was actually pretty tame but it rolled under the body of the diving Kaminski and squirmed into the net.

Philogene almost had a second moments later but Kaminski pulled off a fine save with Anis Mehmeti unable to convert the rebound.

Charlton sent on Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes as they pushed for the point they still need to ensure their safety,but Ipswich held out to move another step closer to a swift return to the top flight.