Town overcame fellow promotion hopefuls Sheffield United 3-0 in a scrappy affair played in torrential conditions at Portman Road. Shefki Kuqi, on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, scored the first from a spotkick with Ian Westlake and Darren Bent netting in the second half.
The Blues lined up with Chris Bart-Williams and Richard Naylor returning the starting line-up after suspensions, Tommy Miller dropping to the bench and Pablo Couñago on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury at Derby.
Chances were rare in a first half very much affected by the sodden conditions. Richard Naylor came close to opening the scoring in the fifth minute when he headed Jermaine Wright's chipped cross just wide of Paul Gerrard's post.
The visitors had the first of two penalty appeals on 17, Jack Lester going to ground after knocking the ball past Kelvin Davis to his right, inside the area. Referee Mick Fletcher decided that Lester, banned last season for a headbutt on Jim Magilton when a Forest player, had dived.
A minute later Lester sent a very dangerous ball across the Blues' box, however there were no white and red shirts there to finish off the job.
For Town Darren Bent had a header deflect over the bar before he put a Wilnis cross over from a position at the near post, the ball appearing to take a deflection off a defender, although the referee gave a goalkick.
The Blades called for a penalty for the second time on 31. Michael Tonge beat Matt Richards before Ian Westlake tackled him as he entered the Town box, the England U21 player going to ground inside the area. It looked a foul, although the tackle was probably outside the box. However, referee Fletcher felt there was no foul and gave a goalkick.
Ian Westlake thought he'd scored his second career goal in the 33rd minute when he latched on to a rebound after Paul Gerrard had saved from Jim Magilton. While the youngster started to celebrate, a linesman's flag was noticed, ruling the goal out for offside, erroneously according to TV replays.
Two minutes later Lester was booked for a succession of dives, something which probably influenced the referee when deciding whether to award the Blades either of their claimed penalties.
Jermaine Wright's strike was deflected wide on 39, but two minutes later the Blues went in front.
Darren Bent played in Shefki Kuqi inside the area but the on loan Sheffield Wednesday player was hauled back by Chris Morgan. Referee Fletcher failed to see the incident, however his assistant in front of the Britannia Stand was clear that there was a foul.
Kuqi took the kick himself and struck it low to former Town loan man Gerrard's right and into the net, not overly comfortably.
For once there were no 45th minute goals for Town to concede and no changes at the break.
Chris Bart-Williams picked up his sixth yellow card of the season for kicking the ball away after a foul had been awarded against Fabian Wilnis in the 50th minute. Soon after Georges Santos also entered the book for a foul, his fifth yellow card of the season, which will mean he misses a game.
The match was increasingly scrappy and disjointed but United were having their best spell of the game. On 56 Kelvin Davis made a terrific save from Lester from an Armstrong cross and Ward knock-down. The keeper reacted quickly to block the effort, the defence clearing up before Brown could pounce on the rebound.
On 57 Westlake and Stuart McCall were both injured in a crunching challenge in the centre of the park, both players requiring treatment before carrying on.
Just after the hour Ashley Ward went into the book for a late tackle on Georges Santos which left the Frenchman on the floor in considerable pain.
Ward and Lester were becoming increasingly frustrated at their lack of success against Santos and Naylor as well as the referee, and Lester was replaced with Paul Peschisolido on 61.
Blades' defender Rob Kozluk did well to get in front of Darren Bent to clear Jim Magilton's dangerous cross in the 64th minute when the youngster looked set to head home.
On 65 Wayne Allison replaced the out of luck Ward, who had been given a hard time by the Town crowd throughout, partly for his days at Norwich City.
The Blues went two goals up in the 66th minute. Jim Magilton played a ball inside to Shefki Kuqi 35 yards out. The Finn played a first time ball into the path of Ian Westlake, the 19-year-old holding off defenders and, with the composure of a veteran, confidently beating Gerrard.
There seemed no way back for the Blades from here and their frustrations were continuing to boil over, Michael Brown picking up a yellow card for yet another late United tackle.
Darren Bent failed to match Westlake's success in a one-on-one in the 72nd minute after Jim Magilton had played him in. Bent had time to pick his spot but hit the ball straight at Gerrard.
Shefki Kuqi probably saved a goal a minute later when he headed a Michael Tonge cross over from under his own bar. From the resultant corner Sheffield United bundled the ball home, however Kelvin Davis had clearly been fouled.
With five minutes remaining Michael Brown tried a trademark distance effort, but Davis dived to his right to deny him, claiming the ball at the second attempt.
Peter Ndlovu got his name in the book for another late tackle, this time on the hugely impressive Westlake. While the Blues prepared to take the kick Tommy Miller replaced Jim Magilton.
With time running out Darren Bent added the third. Westlake whipped in a low corner from the right to the near post where Bent flicked it past Gerrard and into the net.
There was just time for Kozluk to add his name to the long list of Sheffield United bookings for a foul on Westlake.
Not the prettiest of games and the Blues didn't always pass at their best, the conditions making things difficult for both sides.
Swing Low Sweet Chariot rang around Portman Road in tribute to the rugby union side's victory earlier in the day while United's fans were told how they are the "Norwich of the north” and that Town fans "hate Sheffield”.
The Blues battled when they needed to battle and kept their composure well, particularly given some of the challenges which came in, particularly once the game was won.
Chris Bart-Williams' endeavours in a deep midfield role were typical of the display, while Ian Westlake's influence continues to grow and he can consider himself very unlucky should he make way for Alan Mahon when the Blackburn loanee is back from injury and illness.
Just the result Town required after a short downturn in results and a third clean sheet of the season to boot. A trip to Cardiff next week looks a tricky encounter, however it is a chance to gain three points from another one of the sides vying with the Blues for promotion.
Town: Davis, Wilnis, Richards, Santos, Naylor, Bart-Williams, Magilton (Miller 86), Wright, Westlake, Bent, Kuqi.