And with that, it's time to say goodbye. Thanks for joining SM for coverage of Ipswich and Brentford's 1-1 draw. Both sides are still well in the promotion mix, but it's Brentford who'll go home happier today. Make sure you click around on site for reports and reaction throughout the evening. Enjoy the rest of your weekend folks!

How crazy is that? Four teams are all on 66 points, with Norwich one further back on 65. The Canaries were the only side in the top six who won today, with Bournemouth's 5-1 win over Fulham last night enough for them to lead the way with 10 games to go. Derby would be top on 68 points had they not conceded TWICE in injury time at home to Birmingham. What a league the Championship is!

How bonkers is the #Championship?! Just look at the top of the table after today's games http://t.co/RKIzYIUaVe pic.twitter.com/hQTlj1rRIe — Sports Mole (@SportsMole) March 7, 2015

What it all means is that the Bees stay one point above Ipswich in the playoff race. Had Ipswich taken one of their many second-half chances, they would be just three points off the top as it has been yet another crazy day in the Championship!

Brentford will no doubt be happy with a point at one of the hardest grounds to visit in the league. They played some neat football at times, but didn't threaten enough in the second half.

No goals since the 25-minute mark and it finishes one apiece at Portman Road. Ipswich had the better of the chances and only have themselves to blame for some of the misses. Murphy, especially, won't sleep tonight after his miss of the season contender right at the start of the second half.

Two minutes to go. It's surprising that McCarthy never made his third substitution. At one point Varney was ready on the touchline but got told to go back and retake his seat in the dugout.

Smith's wild clearance has so much spin on it that it goes out for a corner. Brentford finishing strongly here.

It's FIVE more minutes as Smith makes a vitally important tackle on Pritchard, who was about to let fly in the area.

You get the feeling that Brentford are ready to take a point here as Jota spends an age to take a free kick. How much injury time will there be?

It's hard to say who is more likely to get the winner in the last few minutes. Ipswich look more threatening at the moment, but Brentford will fancy their chances on the break.

Tabb's delivery is into the middle of the six-yard box where Button makes a simple catch. Wasted opportunity there by Ipswich.

BOOKING! Roles reversed now as Odubajo brings down Parr, who had done well to win the ball back high up the pitch down the left. Free kick in a good crossing position for Ipswich...

BOOKING! Parr is the first Ipswich player into the book for a foul down the Brentford right.

SAVE! Brilliant stop from Button as he somehow keeps out Bishop's close-range effort after the Ipswich teenager had danced away from his man in the box.

BOOKING! Yellow card number three for Brentford as Diagouraga hauls over Wood in the centre circle. Moments earlier Brentford wanted a penalty as Pritchard's prod in the box appeared to strike Chambers on the arm. The Ipswich captain was pulling his arm away from the ball, though.

Pritchard is lining up a volley at the back post but he doesn't have the chance to shoot as Wood stretches out a leg to divert it away. A little over 10 minutes remaining.

Corner to Brentford as Parr opts for the safety-first option with Odubajo lurking behind. Brentford have been second-best since half time, but can they finish strongly in Suffolk?

CHANCE! Wood has his first chance since coming on and it's a really good one as he manages to squirm between two Brentford defenders before sending his header from eight yards wide of the target.

BRENTFORD SUB: Third and final change for the Bees and it's not too surprising as Long replaces Gray up front. Remember, the Everton youngster scored two goals on his full debut in midweek.

BRENTFORD SUB: Interesting from Warburton as he makes a change at centre-back, bringing Moore off for Harlee Dean. The former hasn't handled Murphy's physicality too well this afternoon and it looks like Warburton felt that it might cost them the game.

SHOT! Excellent control by Gray to bring down a high ball and he then unleashes a powerful drive from 20 yards that is unfortunately straight at Gerken. Either side and that's a goal.

UPDATE: As things stand in the Championship, Middlesbrough are dropping to fourth place as they are now losing 2-1 at Forest. What a job Dougie Freedman has done at the City Ground.

SAVE! Another chance for Murphy to double his and Ipswich's tally after Tabb had got up well to win a 50-50 in the air. The ball dropped kindly for Murphy and his low effort from a tight angle was kept out by Button.

BRENTFORD SUB: A first change for the visitors as Judge is replaced by Jota down the right.

CHANCE! Another chance that you would expect Murphy to put away as he races clear of the Brentford defence to pick up Mings's long ball over the top. He just has Button to beat but can't get the better of him as the keeper stands up and makes a fine save.

SAVE! Pritchard gets it up and over the wall, but Gerken was already moving to his left and makes a good save.

IPSWICH SUBS: McCarthy makes the first two changes of the match, with Chaplow and Sears off for Ted Bishop and Chris Wood. Bishop makes his return after a wee while out injured. Brentford have a free kick in a very dangerous position...

Odubajo with some really good defending to get back and dispossess Sears after the striker appeared to escape his grasp and was picked out with a ball over the top by Chaplow.

Mings produces a neat turn on the edge of the box before getting off a right-footed shot low towards the near post that Button holds comfortably.

UPDATE: Not what Ipswich fans will want to hear, but Norwich have scored twice in quick succession in the second half and now lead Millwall 4-0.

Gray wants a Brentford corner after his shot bobbled wide of the target, but you have to say that was just good defending from Berra.

CHANCE! Berra is left all alone on the left of the box after Brentford could only half-clear a corner. The centre-back clearly isn't that comfortable shooting and his cross-cum-shot in the end goes out when he should have just had a whack at goal.

You have to say that since Murphy's incredible miss right at the start of the half, Brentford have been the better side. You get the feeling that the third goal will be crucial.

Parr is now back on the field and McCarthy will be pleased to see that as he has been one of Ipswich's brightest players today.

UPDATE: With Parr still receiving treatment, let's have a look at the latest in the games that affect these two and the playoff race: Derby 2-0 Birmingham, Millwall 0-2 Norwich, Forest 1-1 Boro, Wolves 2-1 Watford

BOOKING! Douglas is the second Brentford player into the referee's notepad after wiping out Parr. He was clearly going for the ball, but the Norwegian got there first and is now down injured.

ACTION SHOTS: Pictures from the first-half via Club photographer @DAPhotography2 #itfc pic.twitter.com/cLQuioVO9z — Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) March 7, 2015

It's been a very strong start to the second half by Ipswich as Sears's deflected shot wins them a corner. It doesn't come to anything, but it's certainly encouraging for the home side.

MISS! Oh my goodness! This is an unbelievable miss from Murphy as he somehow shoots over the crossbar from just a few yards out after Brentford had given the ball away on the edge of their own box. Parr's cutback was perfect for the Irishman but somehow he stabbed it over when it was easier to score the open goal.

KICKOFF! We're back underway at Portman Road. No changes from either manager at the break.

Douglas celebrates his sixth goal of the season:

ACTION | @dougieno8 celebrates his goal at Ipswich Town. #ITFCvBEES pic.twitter.com/DxZMl28pY9

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) March 7, 2015

As things stand in the Championship, just three points separate the top-five sides, with Brentford holding onto sixth place three points behind Norwich City. Ipswich remain a point behind their opponents in seventh.

Here's Championship top-scorer Murphy notching goal number 22 this season:

HALF TIME: Town 1-1 Brentford #itfc pic.twitter.com/QgzDsx61vM

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) March 7, 2015

Ipswich boss McCarthy will no doubt have words to say about the referee if his side don't win today. Late in the first half Odubajo appeared to shove over Parr as the last man, but referee Duncan then brought the play back for an earlier foul that few people saw. Had Odubajo been guilty of a foul, he probably would have been sent off for a professional foul.

The half-time stats back up that it has been an even contest - both sides have had eight shots and three on target. Brentford are the better passing side and they've had more possession with 59% of the ball.

All square at Portman Road then. After an even start to the game, Murphy put Ipswich ahead with a close-range effort but the Tractor Boys didn't really build on the lead. Brentford deservedly equalised through Douglas and since then it's been an even half, with both sides having chances to score the third.

CHANCE! Big, big chance for Ipswich just before the 45-minute mark as Tabb breaks away through the middle. His pass out to Sears on the right is a little behind the striker, but he does well to cut back inside and find Chaplow on the left with Ipswich players queueing up to shoot. Chaplow's shot is saved by Button and Brentford are then able to hack it clear.

CLOSE! Another loose header from Mings and Brentford take advantage of their numerical superiority. Pritchard is found by Judge and he then cuts back for Gray, whose powerful effort flies just past the post.

Boos from the home fans as Duncan gives a free kick to Brentford when it appeared that Odubajo barged over Parr, who was trying to go clear on goal. It looks like it was for a foul away from the ball, but it's hard to see what Ipswich did wrong there.

Gray is caught offside for the third time today. The lone Brentford striker is keen to beat the Ipswich offside trap, but he's had no joy so far.

Skuse feeds Sears down the inside-right channel and the latter picks out Murphy in the box. He controls it well with his back to goal but can't get off a shot from eight eight yards.

BOOKING! First yellow card of the game is shown to the bright Pritchard, who cynically chopped down Skuse in the middle.

A little unlucky for Ipswich there as Sears's cross from the right hits Moore before ricocheting back into the striker and going out for a goal kick.

UPDATE: Derby back to the top of the live table as Forest equalise against Boro at the City Ground. Sounds like a hell of a strike from Gary Gardner.

Ipswich's best moments are likely to come from set pieces and the latest, a free kick from Tabb, causes chaos in the area before Brentford just about clear their lines.

CLOSE! Pritchard is always looking to create and his deep cross is well met by Judge, whose header under pressure from Parr loops a yard or so wide of the target.

Groans from the home support as a short-corner routine fails to work. You wonder why Chaplow did that when Ipswich's goal came from a corner on that side.

Murphy's pullback is cut out in the Brentford area after he had cut inside onto his dangerous left foot. Ipswich trying to establish a foothold once again after their positive start.

Brentford are in the ascendency here and almost create another chance as the ball is pinged out to Dallas on the left, but he can't find a cross for a teammate in the middle. Dallas holds his width and is always a good option for his teammates.

UPDATE: Boro didn't let Derby have top spot for long as they go in front against Nottingham Forest.

You have to say it had been coming as Brentford level the score. The Bees worked the ball out to the right wing where Judge's cross to the back post was volleyed at goal by Dallas. Gerken made a fine save to keep it out, but Douglas was the quickest to react with a looped header over Gerken.

CHANCE! Brentford enjoying their best spell of the game here and they have another opportunity to level the scores as Dallas's dinked cross is just too high for Douglas, who had drifted into the box and was completely unmarked in front of goal. Gerken should make an easy catch but somehow he fumbles the ball out for a corner.

SAVE! Gerken does really well to hold Pritchard's curling shot after Mings's defensive header went straight to a red-and-white shirt and Dallas teed it up for Pritchard.

UPDATE: And we have a new league leader in the live Championship table as Derby County go in front against Birmingham City. Jamie Ward with the goal.

UPDATE: There has been a goal in the other big game in the playoff race today and it's also the hosts who lead at Molineux. Benik Afobe putting Wolves 1-0 up on Watford.

Duncan lets Diagouraga escape a booking after he nastily scythed down Tabb on the left. From the resulting free kick, Bidwell's clearance goes straight to Murphy, who looks for the corner with a curling shot that's easy for Button to save.

At the other end it's a decent opening for Brentford as Pritchard draws defenders to him on the left of the area before cutting back for Dallas, whose 20-yard strike is wild and horribly high and wide.

CLOSE! It's all Ipswich at the moment as Chaplow plays a one-two with Tabb before stabbing the ball out to Parr on the left. The Norwegian doesn't really cross or shoot and his effort fizzes across the area and out for a goal kick.

SIDE-NETTING! Murphy's in the mood today and capitalises on some hesitant play between Moore and Button before hooking an effort from a near-impossible angle into the side-netting. Sears was in the middle and Murphy should have tried to cut back for his strike partner.

CHANCE! It could be 2-0 to Ipswich as Sears gets the right side of Moore but can't quite run away from the Leicester City loanee, who does well to track back and not foul the striker. Had he done so he would have been sent off and Brentford's task of getting back into the match would have been made extremely difficult.

Murphy makes it three goals in two games against Brentford this season before the 10-minute mark today. The Bees must be sick of the sight of him.

Moments after he charged down Button's clearance, Murphy stabs Ipswich in front from close range after Berra had nodded down a corner into the six-yard box. That's league goal number 22 for Murphy as he scores his first goal in five games.

We weren't exactly sure what formation McCarthy would play, but it appears to be a 4-4-2 with Parr on the left of midfield and Chaplow down the right. Skuse and Tabb in the middle.

Decent start from Brentford and they have the first shot at goal as Judge gets in from the left and fires a shot which goes harmlessly wide.

KICKOFF! Off we go at Portman Road in this huge game for both sides.

This isn't the only game involving two of the top eight today - there's also Wolves vs. Watford at Molineux and I'll bring you updates on that game and any other big goals that will affect these two throughout the match.

Here come the two sides out of the tunnel. Ipswich are in their traditional colours of blue shirts and white shorts, while Brentford also don their home colours of red-and-white striped tops and black shorts.

The reverse fixture was on Boxing Day and Ipswich won 4-2 at Griffin Park to go briefly top of the table that day. Murphy scored twice that day, including the opener inside the first minute.

Looking at the head-to-head record between these sides, my prediction of an Ipswich win looks good. The Blues have won their last three matches against Brentford, who have never kept a clean sheet against the Suffolk side in league competition.

PREDICTION: Right, just 10 minutes until we get underway. This game is extremely hard to call, with Ipswich off-form at the moment but still very strong at home. Only Derby County have a better record in front of their own fans, but Brentford will be a tough test today. I think it will be tight, but I'm just going to back Ipswich to win 1-0.

Warburton really has done a superb job to not only get Brentford challenging for promotion in his first season in the Championship but also playing some of the best football. McCarthy has done just as well to steady Ipswich in the last couple of seasons, but his playing style is much more pragmatic to the demands of the second tier. It will certainly be a clash of styles today.

Right, let's have a look at how the table looks going into this game. As mentioned above, Ipswich are out of the top six for the first time in ages after suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time this season. Today's game offers them a perfect chance to restore their playoff place, but it won't be easy against a Brentford side who have been arguably the most impressive in the division this season.

REFEREE WATCH: The man with the whistle today is Scott Duncan, who referees a match involving Ipswich for the first time since November 2013.

Ipswich left-back Tyrone Mings seems to be in an especially playful mood this afternoon..

PICTURES: The players arrive at Portman Road ahead of the game with Brentford @OfficialTM_3 @P18NDO @DAPhotography2 pic.twitter.com/BhjWKP1ceV

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) March 7, 2015

Brentford boss Mark Warburton, meanwhile, makes two changes to the side that beat Huddersfield Town 4-1 in midweek. Alan Judge and Andre Gray get the nod over Jota and Chris Long. The latter's absence is a little confusing given that he scored two on his full debut against the Terriers, but maybe Warburton feels that this is too important a game for him just now.

BRENTFORD XI: Button; Odubajo, Moore, Tarkowski, Bidwell; Douglas, Dallas, Diagouraga, Judge; Pritchard; Gray
Subs: Bonham, Dean, McCormack, Toral, Jota, Smith, Long

It's no surprise to see Murphy, the league's top scorer, back in the side even though he missed a late penalty after coming off the bench which would have earned Ipswich a point at Leeds. The Irishman has now gone four games without a goal and will be desperate to end his drought today. The swap of goalkeepers is the most interesting of McCarthy's changes, with Bialkowski making one too many error of late.

Mick McCarthy isn't holding back with his team selection today, making a total of four changes to the side that were beaten 2-1 at Leeds United on Wednesday night. In come Dean Gerken, Richard Chaplow, Daryl Murphy and Freddie Sears for Bartosz Bialkowski, Paul Anderson, Chris Wood and Luke Varney.

IPSWICH XI: Gerken; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings; Chaplow, Skuse, Tabb, Parr; Murphy, Sears
Subs: Bialkowski, Clarke, Anderson, Bishop, Connolly, Varney, Wood

Afternoon folks! Just nine games in the Championship this afternoon because two of the division's teams - Blackburn Rovers and Reading - are into the FA Cup quarter-finals. Today we're focussing on the match at Portman Road as Ipswich host Brentford. Team news coming right up...