Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna described his team's narrow 4-3 victory over bottom-placed Rotherham as a “bit of a wild game”.
Omari Hutchinson's effort in the sixth minute of added time after Cafu's levelling penalty moments earlier left the Tractor Boys behind second-placed Leeds only on goal difference, with Southampton losing to Hull.
Town initially fell behind after just two minutes to Tom Eaves, but responded thanks to a Kieffer Moore strike and Wes Burns' first-half brace.
Hakeem Odoffin pulled one back for the Millers in the second half before the nail-biting additional time.
McKenna said: “It was a bit of a wild game. Of course it wasn't a good start and from that moment we never really regained our composure in the game but having said that we have scored four goals at home, we find a way to win the game.
“Every game in the Championship is tough. I knew it was going to be a tough game; the players have found a way to come out on top again and credit to them for that.”
With eight minutes of time added on, McKenna said: “We weren't managing to keep control of the ball. We were pinned into our box and random things can happen at that point.
“I didn't think we had that many chances against us and when they got the penalty I thought it was going to be one of those nights but credit to the players they could lie on the floor and give up on the game but we find the spirit to get the ball back, launch another attack and produce another moment of real quality to win the game.”
Rotherham head coach Leam Richardson felt his side deserved a point.
He said: “You saw the good, the bad and the ugly of what we are and why we are in the position we are in.
“I'm disappointed for the players who worked terrifically hard. We started the game very well, we had a crazy 10 minutes. The first goal hurt us, we never really recovered from it, it was like a dazed boxer but the last hour we probably deserved something from the game.
“I don't think many teams come here and dominate all the stats and score three goals and not win the game so disappointed for the players.”
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