A goal from George Boyd, his third of the season, earned Peterborough United a place in the third round of the Carling Cup after a hard fought 2-1 victory over Championship rivals Ipswich Town at London Road.

Ipswich had two chances from set-pieces in the early exchanges with Lee Martin denied by goalkeeper Joe Lewis and then floating a 25-yard effort over the crossbar.

The Tractor Boys did get their noses in front just before the quarter hour mark as Pablo Counago was allowed to get into a good position down the right hand side and cross for Tamas PRISKIN who made no mistake from close-range.

Craig Mackail-Smith fired wide at the other end after finding some room 25-yards from goal, but he dragged his shot past the post.

Lee Frecklington fired an ambitious volley wide on 17 minutes after a neat build-up from the hosts.

The midfielder was certainly in the thick of the action and was denied by former England goalkeeper Richard Wright after a good through ball from Mackail-Smith.

The Frecklington v Wright duel continued when the goalkeeper denied the former Lincoln City midfield man's free-kick after Mclean had been upended by Bruce, who was booked.

However, Town were handed a chance to double their advantage from the spot after referee Mr Shoebridge gave a penalty kick on the advice of his assistant after Zakuani's challenge on Priskin. Priskin stepped up, but saw his penalty saved by Joe Lewis.

There was certainly an open feel to the cup-tie and Boyd probably should have levelled on 28 minutes after a good through ball by Mackail-Smith, but the winger's toe-poke was saved by Wright.

The home side drew themselves level on 31 minutes and it was one of cleanest strikes of a football you will ever see, FRECKLINGTON picking up the ball nearly 30-yards from goal and hammering it past Wright and into the top corner.

Spaniard Counago was denied by Lewis moments later after Posh over-committed in attack.

However, when attacking, Posh were always a threat and it was that man Frecklington again in the thick of it, this time seeing a shot bend away from goal after Mclean raced clear in the channel.

Balkestein headed a Delaney cross wide of the target on 42 minutes after another slick counter-attack from the visitors.

Half-time: Posh 1-1 Ipswich Town

Lee Martin, who had been wasteful from set-pieces in the first half, curled a free-kick over the crossbar moments after the re-start after Rowe had fouled Priskin. Rowe was cautioned.

Ipswich boss Roy Keane made a double substitution just before the hour mark,introducing highly-rated striker Connor Wickham and former Chester City man Jon Walters.

Batt found the side-netting with a shot at the back post after a Martin free-kick was allowed to travel past several attackers and defenders in the six-yard box.

Posh got their noses in front on 64 minutes and it was BOYD who fired through the legs of goalkeeper Wright after a superb tackle from Diagouraga had rebounded kindly into the winger's path.

Mclean was denied a quick-fire third after Boyd's free-kick rebounded into his path, but Wright made a stunning save to deny the striker.

Wickham turned and fired over with his left-foot on 72 minutes as Ipswich responded well to falling behind.

Wickham then curled a shot wide of the target on 86 minutes as Posh attempted to play out the final few moments and seal their passage into round three.

David Wright curled a shot over the crossbar moments later before Charlie Lee replaced the hard-working Shaun Batt. There was chaos late on as Wright went up for a corner and the ball was cleared, but Boyd couldn't get the ball out of his feet and Bruce got back to hack the ball clear.

Final Score: Posh 2-1 Ipswich Town

Posh: Lewis, Martin, Morgan, Zakuani, Rowe (sub Pearce 90min), Frecklington, Diagouraga, Boyd, Batt (sub Lee 88min), Mclean, Mackail-Smith. Unused subs: McKeown, Keates, Torres, Green, Mills.

Ipswich: R. Wright, D. Wright, Delaney, Bruce, Martin (sub Upson 75min), Counago (sub Wickham 57min), Priskin (sub Walters 57min), Balkestein, Healy, Quinn. Unused subs: McAuley,Lee-Barrett, Smith, Trotter.

Attendance: 5,451 (1,198 Town fans)