IT was an all too familiar story.

Latics made a bright start, but in a twist to the usual tale they capitalised on it by taking the lead.

Celebrations were painfully short-lived, though, as a defensive mistake - arguably their most catastrophic of the season so far - gifted Ipswich a goal.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Latics got into good areas, but they were either not clinical or ruthless enough, or the end product was lacking.

Plus points were provided by the introduction of fit-again Jamie Hopcutt for his home debut and Sam Hart’s first appearance since late August.

They replaced players who had caused Ipswich the most problems in Davis Keillor-Dunn and Benny Couto, but the FA Cup is not the priority. Far from it. Their best players need preserving for a crucial league campaign given the injury nightmares already endured.

As at Ipswich, their overall performance belied their league position, and they were thoroughly deserving of their lead when it came. They had looked lively with the ball, with early half-chances falling to Dylan Bahamboula and Dylan Fage. They had matched those efforts by working their socks off defensively to prevent Ipswich making the most of their quick counters, and they grew in confidence as a result.

Keillor-Dunn was snapping at opponents’ heels one minute and then finding yards of space for himself in and around the box the next, and on one occasion Couto bent an inviting ball towards him at the near post, he instinctively flicked it goalwards and was unlucky to see the ball go into the side netting.

A breakdown in communication between Carl Piergianni and Callum Whelan led to a chance for Rekeem Harper, but Whelan recovered to make a vital block and Latics used the let-off to their advantage.

And they almost capitalised on a mistake at the opposite end when a defender slipped allowing Fage to cut the ball back from the byeline unchallenged, Keillor-Dunn struck it cleanly and on target but the ball cannoned off the legs of goalkeeper Christian Walton.

Unfazed by League One oppostion, or their near misses, Latics continued to push forward and eventually got their rewards.

A Couto corner was struck low by Piergianni at the far left post and cleared off the line by Walton, but McGahey latched onto the rebound and scored his first goal for Latics.

Ipswich were immediately on the hunt for an equaliser but Piergianni headed out a dangerous Sone Aluko cross.

Fage responded with an eye-catching stepover that outwitted his marker after Couto’s cross found him in space in the right channel, but his shot was turned behind.

While they continued to show an attacking ambition that should be applauded, Latics were always at risk of Ipswich getting back into it. The manner of it, though, was hard to stomach.

Aluko was surrounded by three players yet still managed to squeeze a ball through for Pigott to latch onto and cross into the box. It was routine for Leutwiler - or at least it should have been. Jordan Clarke was underneath the ball too, the pair collided, Leutwiler feebly spilled the ball and Conor Chaplin had no problem in finding an open goal.

In Latics’ catalogue of unforced errors, this was right up there.

Keith Curle’s side continued to show attacking intent in the second half, but nothing particularly meaningful, and you just sensed that Ipswich were patiently waiting for their opportunity.

Idris El Mizouni took it in style, capitalising on a half-clearance with a stunning finish that gave Leutwiler no chance.

The keeper went up for a late corner to try to atone for his error as Latics applied late pressure, but it was not to be.