Ipswich determined to close gap on Wolves

Richard Naylor's contribution to Ipswich Town's season has only been peripheral, but his 84th-minute intervention at Molineux on Wednesday may turn out to be one of its most important moments.

The substitute striker's headed equaliser saved a point for the Suffolk side and denied Wolverhampton Wanderers two, creating a result that just about keeps alive Ipswich's hopes of an instant return to the Premiership.

It meant the gap between Ipswich, in eighth place, and Wolves, in sixth, remained at seven points where it might have been 10 and with a game in hand, Joe Royle's team might yet snatch a play-off spot.

"It keeps us in touch with Wolves," the Ipswich manager Joe Royle said. "If we can put a run together, who knows? There is still near-enough a quarter of the season to go."

There was a quarter of the season gone when Royle took over in October following the dismissal of George Burley and while his achievement in reviving a team that once languished in 19th place is remarkable, there is a clear desire on his part to see some tangible reward for their recovery.

His only target, he insists, was to haul Ipswich away from the threat of a second relegation. But the prospect of a massive financial injection for a club currently in administration would turn promotion into somewhat more than a bonus.

"We are not going to get too excited about it, but the win at Norwich last weekend kept us in the hunt," he added. "We have given ourselves a chance and if we can keep on getting results we'll see where it takes us."

Where they go initially is into a home match against Stoke City this afternoon then a visit to Crystal Palace on Tuesday in an important week for both themselves and Wolves.

The Black Country side tomorrow begin a tour of southern counties that might make their season or turn it on its head. Distracted this weekend by tomorrow's FA Cup quarter-final at Southampton, they return to First Division action with a high-pressure fixture at third-placed Reading on Wednesday, by which time Ipswich may be only a point behind. Next Saturday, Wolves are away to the leaders, Portsmouth, while Ipswich travel to struggling Sheffield Wednesday.

Leicester – the only team in the top seven in action today – can draw level on points with Portsmouth by winning at home to Sheffield Wednesday, who gave notice of their willingness to fight for survival by thrashing Coventry on Wednesday. Nottingham Forest can reclaim third spot by beating the bottom club, Grimsby, on Monday.

The middle of the table remains congested, six points covering seventh to 18th, and if Ipswich have an outside chance, so too do Norwich, who are at Portsmouth next Wednesday, and Crystal Palace, who are three behind Ipswich with a game in hand as they travel to Bradford City.

Tranmere Rovers, who have emerged as Second Division contenders with three wins in their past four matches and a point at leaders Wigan, could move closer to the top at the expense of teams above them. After hosting second-placed Crewe this afternoon, they meet third-placed Cardiff at Prenton Park next Friday. Queen's Park Rangers' home match against Bristol City – sixth against fourth – looks critical among the other Second Division ties.

In the Third Division, gaps have opened between first and second and second and third, but the race for the third automatic promotion place remains tight, with one point covering third down to ninth.