SHELL-SHOCKED Ipswich Town succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Bristol City on Wednesday night.

Despite leading 1-0 and 2-1, thanks to a brace from Freddie Sears, Paul Lambert's men finished empty-handed after an own goal from keeper Bartosz Bialkowski and further hammer-blows from Jamie Paterson and Famara Diedhiou.

It means Town are rock bottom of the Championship table and six points behind the quartet above - Reading, Millwall, Hull City and Bolton Wanderers.

Gazette reporter Matt Plummer hands out his player ratings on a dismal night at Portman Road.

BARTOSZ BIALKOWSKI 4

THE Pole has been such a trusted, heroic lieutenant in the past three years but this was a dismal display during what's been an uncharacteristically disappointing season. Bialkoswki made an acrobatic early save but blundered for Bristol City's opener, unconvincingly punching Lloyd Kelly's left-wing cross before, inexplicably, fumbling the ball into his own net when it was heading harmlessly wide off Diedhiou.

JORDAN SPENCE 4

THE right-back's languid style makes him an easy target for disgruntled supporters and he let himself down with this performance. It was no surprise that all three Robins goals came from his area of the pitch and, in particular, he should have done more to prevent the first, by cutting out Kelly's cross. Booked for a foul.

LUKE CHAMBERS 5

THE skipper nearly scored with an effort that somehow went the wrong side of the post but, overall, he was another to have a disappointing game. He was nearly caught out in the opening minutes – only for Andreas Weimann's cross to come to nothing – and that set the tone for his evening, although he was unlucky with the deflection that led to Diedhiou's goal.

MATT PENNINGTON 5

THE Everton loanee could have done better for two of Bristol City's goals. Paterson got away from him for their second, meaning the striker had a relatively simple task in bundling home at the far post. Then, for the Robins' winner, he slipped, and was grounded, when Kelly's shot hit Chambers and looped into the air, gifting a simple chance to Diedhiou.

JONAS KNUDSEN 4

LIKE Bialkoswki, the Dane has struggled and been badly out-of-sorts since returning from the World Cup. His distribution was awful and he could have got tighter to Diedhiou, after Kelly's cross was only partially cleared by Bialkowski.

TREVOH CHALOLBAH 5

CHALOBAH had some neat moments but also had spells where he drifted out of the game completely. His most eye-catching contribution came when adjusting his body to hoist an effort just over the bar, after Knudsen's long throw was deflected into his path by Skuse.

COLE SKUSE 7

THE midfielder produced a breathtaking moment when spinning deep in his own half and pumping the most exquisite diagonal pass for Sears' opener. He also won a free-kick after a driving run and fired in the shot that took a deflection and led to Sears' second.

FLYNN DOWNES 5

THE midfielder had a quiet night and failed to stamp any authority in midfield. A dismal corner that barely left the ground and skidded into the side-netting just about summed up his evening. Looked jaded.

GWION EDWARDS 6

EDWARDS, like Chalobah, drifted in and out of the game. He produced some early trickery and a teasing cross but then went quiet, especially after receiving treatment following a crunching tackle from Hakeeb Adelukan.

JORDAN ROBERTS 5

THIS wasn't Roberts' night and he was well-shackled by former Town defender Adam Webster and Tomas Kalas. Very little went his way, including early decisions from the referee, and his frustration reached a head when he picked up a needless early booking. No surprise to see him replaced by Kayden Jackson.

FREDDIE SEARS 8

THE undisputed man-of-the-match – in all honesty the only real contender. Unlike his team, Sears is playing with confidence with four goals in Lambert’s first four games. That was reflected in his first strike against the Robins, controlling Skuse's pass, driving into the box and coolly slotting past Maenpaa. His second was also impressive, capitalising on a deflection and accurately drilling inside the left-hand post. An excellent performance from the former Colchester United man, who also went close right at the start with a low thunderbolt that fizzed inches wide.

SUBS:

KAYDEN JACKSON (FOR ROBERTS) 5

THE striker was full of energy and running but got little change from a Robins defence that had shut up shop after going 3-2 ahead. Picked up a booking.

JACK LANKESTER (FOR EDWARDS) 5

A COUPLE of neat touches but the youngster didn't have enough time to make an impact.

ELLIS HARRISON (FOR DOWNES 78) 4

LIKE Lankester, the front man wasn't able to contribute much but it was good to see him back on the pitch, after a long injury lay-off.

UNUSED SUBS:

Gerken (gk), Donacien, Bishop and Ward.