Ipswich Town reclaimed second place in the Championship after hanging on for a goalless draw with a West Bromwich Albion side that secured safety for the second time in four days.

The Baggies were docked two points on Friday for spending breaches, which meant they needed at least one point to stay up after a midweek win against Watford had previously appeared to get them over the line.

Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton made a series of saves, including two fine efforts to deny Daryl Dike either side of the break, to ensure the Tractor Boys left the West Midlands with a vital point.

A share of the spoils means the Tractor Boys, who moved back above Millwall on goal difference, could all but secure an immediate Premier League return on Tuesday if they beat fellow top two hopefuls Southampton.

But if the Saints win that, the race for automatic promotion will remain a four-way shootout - which will also include Middlesbrough - on the final day next Saturday.

West Brom's punishment late on Friday transformed the complexion of game at The Hawthorns, with the hosts' status in the second tier back under threat.

And their approach reflected the renewed importance of the fixture, with the Baggies dominating the first-half chances.

A swerving shot from Ousmane Diakite and Dike's quick thinking, as he pounced on a moment of defensive hesitancy, saw Ipswich goalkeeper Walton tested twice in quick succession.

Nat Phillips also called the visiting shot-stopper into action with a header, while Alex Mowatt's shot from the edge of the box demanded a diving save save from Walton.

Ipswich were limited by comparison, with their best chance scooped over the bar by Ivan Azon.

Second-half opportunities presented themselves in much the same way, as Dike was foiled by Walton while Jack Clarke made a complete mess of a chance when found free at the back post.

Ipswich did go on to find the back of the net, but Cedric Kipre's finish was ruled out for offside after Baggies goalkeeper Max O'Leary spilled a Jaden Philogene shot.

While neither side was able to find a winner, the point was one to be savoured as it confirmed West Brom's place in the Championship for another season while also being enough to edge Ipswich ahead in the ceaseless race for the top two.

West Brom interim boss James Morrison told BBC WM:

"We have done our talking on the pitch the past few weeks and it probably worked in our favour going into the game knowing what we had to do [after the points deduction].

"The lads have been in a good place, and I had no hesitations going into this game because we were in a good place with the fight and determination. It was there and they gave me the same performance again.

"We knew the fans would be right behind us, so we had to use that energy on the pitch, and I thought for 70 minutes we were there going toe-to-toe with a good side.

"For 70 minutes we were good but then there was a bit of fatigue, and we went a little bit into survival mode, but they brought on some good players so that might have helped them.

"The lads gave everything again - they kept going to the end and that's all we want really want and ask for."

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk:

"Unfortunately, we weren't able to get the winning goal but it was a really hard-fought point.

"We wanted to come here and win, but I know what position we are in. We had three games to play before today and it was important not to lose today, and to get something from the game.

"It was a tough game, and you have to do the right things to go try win it but also not go and chase it in a crazy way that you leave yourselves open to losing it.

"We would rather have three [points], but hopefully it will be a good point. You don't know until the end of the season but if we do well in the next week then hopefully we look back at it as a good point.

"It's a good position to be in [needing one win from two games to be promoted], but we know how hard it is to win any game in this division. We certainly can't take anything for granted and we will have to work really hard to get that win, but we have put ourselves in the position to do that [get promoted]."