LIVE: FULL-TIME: IPSWICH TOWN 1, PETERBOROUGH UNITED 4: Stunning success for Posh who storm into third place

Sammie Szmodics scored twice to make it four goals in three games with an Ivan Toney penalty and a cool Siriki Dembele finish completed the rout.

Ipswich gained a consolation goal from the penalty spot 12 minutes from time through substitute James Norwood.

A fourth win in a row took Posh above the Tractor Boys.

Posh took command in the first-half and played even better in the second half when they looked classy on the break.

Toney opened the scoring in the 23rd minute from the penalty spot after a clear foul on Dembele which was originally missed by referee Andy Woolmer.

Dembele was tripped by James Wilson as he bore down on goal following a fine flick by Toney. Woolmer waved play on, but gave a spot-kick after a chat with his assistant and Toney rolled the ball confidently into the corner.

And in 34th minute Ipswich ‘keeper Will Norris tried to dribble past Szmodics and failed enabling the Posh forward to tap the ball into an empty net.

Ipswich had their moments usually when former Posh star Gwion Edwards was racing past Posh defender Dan Butler. From one Edwards cross Alan Judge poked straight at Posh ‘keeper Christy Pym from close range.

Mark Beevers had struck a sweet volley straight at Norris from a Butler corner in the third minute and Dembele came close twice to reaching Toney flicks.

Ipswich lost Luke Garbutt to injury in the early stages.

The hosts sent on a third striker in Norwood for the second-half, but it was Posh who started the better and they soon claimed a third goal in the 51st minute.

Jack Taylor was the architect with a fine through ball which sent Dembele scampering away.

The flying forward checked onto his right foot and finished superbly.

Ipswich then started to see a lot of the ball, but carried little threat. Beevers did well to make a strong block after another penetrating run into the penalty area by Edwards.

But Posh always looked a threat on the counter attack and Dembele wanted another penalty after dancing into the penalty area.

But Dembele was then involved in a fourth Posh goal in the 73rd minute as his astute lobbed pass reached Szmodics who finished well.

Ipswich kept pressing and pulled a goal back 12 minutes from time when Beevers was adjudged to have tripped substitute Freddie Sears, again the assistant referee gave the decision and Norwood slotted home the penalty.

Posh finished the game the better though with Toney testing Norris and the impressive Taylor shooting just wide from 30 yards.

Posh: Christy Pym, Nathan Thompson (sub Rhys Bennett, 83 mins), Mark Beevers, Frankie Kent, Joe Ward (sub Niall Mason, 73 mins), Dan Butler, Reece Brown (sub Josh Knight, 61 mins), Jack Taylor, Sammie Szmodics, Ivan Toney, Siriki Dembele.

Unused substitutes: Aaron Chapman, Ricky-Jade Jones, George Boyd, Mo Eisa.

Ipswich: Will Norris, Luke Chambers, James Wilson, Luke Wolfenden, Gwion Edwards, Luke Garbutt (sub Myles Kenlock, 17 mins), Flynn Downes, Cole Skuse, Alan Judge (sub James Norwood, 46 mins), Kayden Jackson, Will Keane (sub Freddie Sears, 70 mins).

Unused substitutes: Tomas Holy, Janoi Danacien, Jon Nolan, Andre Dozell.

Goals: Posh - Toney (pen, 23 mins), Szmodics (34 mins & 74 mins), Dembele (51 mins).

Ipswich - Norwood (pen, 78 mins).

Cautions: Posh - Butler (foul), Knight (foul).

Ipswich - Edwards (foul), Skuse (foul).

Referee: Andy Woolmer 5

Attendance: 21,351