Charlton Athletic (h) 2-1
Match 260: 25-2-1961: Division 2
On a wet afternoon Ray Crawford, the sharpest forward on show, was the difference between the teams. In an entertaining game both sides were guilty of missing chances but Crawford, despite the efforts of Gordon Jago - Charlton`s best performer - scored twice and also struck the bar with a fine header. John Elsworthy had a superb game, keeping Dennis Edwards on a tight rein and still finding time to prompt many of the Ipswich attacks. More
Town clicked into top form on a gloriously sunny afternoon, coasting to a comfortable double over a Leeds side renowned for its excellent away record. Ted Phillips ended a barren spell with two goals, the second of which ranked among the best seen at Portman Road. After exchanging headers with Ray Crawford he fired home an unstoppable volley. Derek Rees, restored to the side after scoring 17 goals in 15 Football Combination matches, was also on the score sheet. With Sheffield United on FA Cup duty Ipswich moved to within one point, with a game in hand. 
A scrappy match with almost forty free kicks didn`t do justice to two promotion candidates. Ipswich, putting the cup humiliation behind them, dictated much of the play and should have had both points. They missed a number of clear opportunities and John Elsworthy conceded an unnecessary penalty, bringing down George O`Brien when little danger threatened. It was nonetheless a useful result which left Town in 2nd place with 38 points from 28 matches, three points behind Sheffield United with two games in hand. 
Without hitting top form Ipswich overcame the shock of conceding an early goal to dominate, especially after the interval when they had a blustery wind at their backs. Ted Phillips hit a post with a header but they had only Ray Crawford`s equaliser to show for their efforts, thanks to some fine saves by Rotherham goalkeeper Jack Wren, a late deputy for Roy Ironside. Scotsman Wren, a free-transfer signing from Hibernian, saved his best until last, blocking a Phillips penalty six minutes from time - Phillips` first miss from the spot after twelve successes. It was Wren`s only appearance in the Football League, although he returned north of the border to play regularly in the Scottish League. 