Simon Cox's second-half volley was enough to keep West Brom in the Coca-Cola Championship automatic promotion places with a 1-0 win at Plymouth.
The former Swindon forward fired home from close range, meaning Graham Dorrans' late failure to convert a penalty did not prove crucial.
Dexter Blackstock bagged a double as Nottingham Forest remain third in the table after a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday at the City Ground.
Blackstock opened the scoring with a 24th-minute penalty after Darren Purse had handled in the area. Luke Varney levelled for Wednesday but Blackstock struck again with 10 minutes remaining.
David Cotterill scored one goal and created another as Swansea defeated Preston 2-0 in the early kick-off at the Liberty Stadium to keep their bid for a play-off place on track.
The Swans' club record signing curled home a fine first-half free-kick and crossed for Ashley Williams to head home a second goal after the break in a one-sided encounter.
Daryl Murphy marked his Ipswich debut in sensational fashion by scoring in the opening minute of their clash with Middlesbrough.
Murphy struck after just 23 seconds having being set up by fellow debutant David Healy, who also arrived on loan from Sunderland on transfer deadline day, but David Wheater's goal saw the game end 1-1.
Meanwhile, Aaron Mclean's ninth-minute strike gave Peterborough a 1-0 win over nine-man QPR, Lee Williamson's last-minute equaliser saw Sheffield United secure a 1-1 draw against Derby and Neil Danns struck a late winner as financially-troubled Crystal Palace beat Scunthorpe at Glanford Park.
Elsewhere, Barnsley claimed a valuable home win over Watford, Leicester kept themselves firmly in the play-off picture with a 2-1 win at Blackpool and the day's other 3pm kick-off saw Bristol City draw 1-1 with Coventry at Ashton Gate.
Copyright (c) PA Sport 2009, All Rights Reserved.
