IPSWICH Town eased back to winning ways with a convincing and much-needed 4-1 victory at home to Accrington Stanley.

The Blues got their promotion push firmly back on track thanks to first-half goals from Kayden Jackson, James Norwood and Alan Judge and a late fourth from birthday boy Will Keane.

It was just what the doctor ordered and, in terms of League One fixtures, comprehensively ended a barren winless run stretching back to their November 5 success at Rochdale.

Eight league games had slipped by since that victory in the North-West and Town had slithered to fifth in the table, with critical fingers being pointed at manager Paul Lambert.

However, this result could be a major turning point and the only blemish was a late penalty won and converted by Stanley's Offrande Zanzala, after a foul by James Wilson.

Lambert named the same team that drew at then-leaders Wycombe Wanderers on New Year's Day, with Will Norris in goal and a back three of Luke Chambers, Wilson and Luke Woolfenden.

Gwion Edwards and Luke Garbutt were the wing-backs, with Flynn Downes and Emyr Huws in midfield and Judge playing in a more advanced role behind strikers Jackson and Norwood.

Town were three-up and coasting after a one-sided, morale-boosting first half.

In fact, they could and should have notched double that amount, given their superiority and dominance against a poor Accrington side.

Lambert's men carved the visitors' defence open at will and their opener came in the 12th minute, after a wonderful slide-rule pass from Garbutt to the overlapping Woolfenden.

The defender, deep in the area, delivered a low cross from the left and Jackson bundled home from the close range, just getting there ahead of Jerome Opoku.

It was his eighth goal of the season but his first since the 3-1 victory at Southend United on October 26.

Town made it two just before the half-hour mark.

Norwood connected with a long clearance forward, raced through on goal and sublimely lifted the ball over advancing keeper Josef Bursik.

It was a quality finish - the striker's tenth of the season - and there was also a touch of class about Ipswich's third, on 44 minutes.

Chambers pushed forward, played a clever one-two with Norwood and then pushed the ball into Judge's path.

The Irishman made no mistake with the goal at his mercy and fired home for a convincing half-time lead.

It was only his second goal for the club and his maiden league strike, having only previously scored in the FA Cup victory at Lincoln City.

To be 3-0 up was a dream but it could have been six, given additional chances for both Norwood and Jackson.

The former sliced an early effort before screwing wide of the far post, after a right-wing cross from Jackson.

Judge then fed Jackson, giving him a one-on-one opportunity, but the striker's effort was well-saved by Bursik.

With the game won, Town lost some of their impetus in the second period.

Their best chance came after a deep corner from Garbutt was headed just wide by Norwood.

Zanzala's penalty five minutes from time trimmed the deficit.

However, Keane had the last laugh, putting the finishing gloss on a highly-satisfying afternoon, rifling a low shot inside the near post.