Jason Scotland scores again as Barnsley close in on Ipswich Town

Two of Ipswich Town’s relegation rivals drew closer to Mick McCarthy’s side last night.

Former Town striker Jason Scotland scored his fifth goal in eight league games as Barnsley beat promotion-chasing Brighton at home to move within two points of the Blues with a game in hand.

Meanwhile Peterborough picked up an impressive point at Elland Road after going in front against hosts Leeds United.

Posh are now third from bottom – four points behind Ipswich, having played the same number of matches.

Barnsley breathed fresh life into their survival fight with a 2-1 victory which did further damage to Brighton’s stuttering play-off ambitions.

The Reds, who were beaten 5-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday, came into last night without a win in three league games and sitting bottom of the table.

Scotland, making his first league start for the club, gave them an early lead when he struck home following some powerful forward play and they then showed their mettle as they regained the lead, through Chris Dagnall’s penalty, just five minutes after Leonardo Ulloa had headed Brighton level on the hour mark.

Ulloa’s night ended in misery, though, as he saw a late penalty saved by Luke Steele as the hosts held on for a valuable win which lifts them out of the bottom three.

Sam Byram salvaged a 1-1 draw for Leeds but his side’s hopes of closing in on a play-off place ended in frustration as Peterborough made it three games unbeaten on their travels.

Leeds teenager Byram turned home his fourth goal of the season early in the second half to cancel out Dwight Gayle’s stunning opener for an impressive Peterborough side aiming to climb out of the bottom three.

But although Leeds pushed the visitors back for long periods after the break they were thwarted at every turn by a resolute defence in their bid to close to within three points of the top six.