DAVID James stole the limelight for all the wrong reasons as City literally handed Ipswich the points in this npower Championship contest at Portman Road.

City rode their luck in the opening 45 minutes, but England’s World Cup goalkeeper blundered twice in the second half as Roy Keane’s team extended their unbeaten run to six games this season.

His fluffed clearance enabled Hungarian striker Tamas Priskin to open the scoring on 59 minutes and the 40-year-old former Liverpool and Aston Villa star was again at fault when failing to hold onto a Priskin shot and handing Jason Scotland a simple tap-in to put the outcome beyond doubt 15 minutes from time.

In-form Ipswich would have won by a wider margin had they not seen shots come back off the cross bar on three occasions.

Despite new signings Jon Stead and Brett Pitman making their debuts, City scarcely functioned as an attacking force and Keith Millen’s new-look side is now without a win in four Championship outings.

And to make matters worse, the Robins lost left-back Jamie McAllister to injury midway through the second half.

City’s starting line-up included seven players who were not even with the club at the end of last season and they looked like a side still getting to know one another during the opening exchanges.

Roy Keane’s side has also seen a good deal of change, but Town have benefited from an unbeaten five-match start to the season and their confidence was obvious from the outset.

The home side almost took the lead in the 10^th minute, Damion Stewart bringing down Jason Scotland on the edge of the penalty area and Grant Leadbitter beating David James with a free kick which came back off the cross bar.

Another free kick conceded in a dangerous area gave Leadbitter an opportunity to pick out giant centre-back Gareth McAuley – a target for City during the summer – but his header drifted harmlessly behind for a goal kick.

Ipswich continued to pose problems from set-piece routines and Tommy Smith was off target with a header from a Leadbitter corner, while another lofted delivery presented Scotland with a half-chance, which he shinned wide of goal with former England keeper James struggling to make his ground.

It was all Ipswich and Tamas Priskin had City hearts in mouths when unleashing a dipping shot which beat James’ despairing dive and hit the stanchion behind the goal.

City finally carved out their first sight of goal on 25 minutes, former Town forward Jon Stead making room for an angled shot, which Marton Fulop gathered at the first attempt. The Yorkshire-born striker had another shot, this time from the edge of the 18 yard box, comfortably saved as the visitors finally managed to retain possession.

But the best chances continued to materialise at the other end and Priskin really should have given Ipswich the lead on the half hour. Taking a long through ball in his stride, the Hungarian international looked certain to score from six yards out, only to blast his shot against the cross bar with James beaten.

Forced to weather the storm, City experienced further anxiety shortly before half time, Carlos Edwards angling a teasing cross towards the far post for Scotland, who steered his header wide under pressure from Stewart.

Stead’s set-up play at least offered encouragement to the Robins and the big striker was again involved in a counter-attacking move which culminated in Albert Adomah shooting straight at Fulop from 15 yards out.

Ipswich emerged for the second half in determined mood and City were once again made to defend in depth. When Stewart fluffed an attempted clearance, Scotland seized upon the loose ball and saw his curling shot graze the top of the bar on its way behind.

City were unable to develop and kind of rhythm in possession and winger Sproule showed his frustration, lunging in on Darren O’Dea to earn the first yellow card of the afternoon on 53 minutes.

When the opening goal came six minutes later, it was the product of farcical defending. An apparently harmless through ball caused panic in City ranks and Liam Fontaine, under pressure from Priskin, tried to shield the ball while awaiting the arrival of his goalkeeper.

Sure enough, James rushed from his line to intervene, only to miss the ball completely and leave Priskin with the simple task of side-footing into an empty net.

City picked themselves up and threatened an equaliser, debutant Pitman scuffing his shot after Ipswich had failed to clear a floated free kick from Jamie McAllister.

But it was Ipswich who scored the next goal and James was at fault once again. He was unable to hold Priskin’s angled shot and the ball ran loose for Scotland to register his first goal for Town since moving from Wigan five days earlier.

Ipswich (4-4-2): Fulop; Peters, McAuley, Smith, O’Dea; Edwards, Hyam (O’Connor, 84), Norris, Leadbitter; Priskin, Scotland (Murray 90).

City (4-4-2): James; Hunt, Stewart, Fontaine, McAllister (Williams 73); Sproule, Elliott, Cisse, Adomah; Pitman, Stead.

Referee: Mick Russell (Herts)

Attendance: 19,011