After watching their respective rivals claim important wins 24 hours earlier, Ipswich were out of the blocks quickly at a sun-drenched and raucous Portman Road, with Azon twice off target and Darnell Furlong also failing to test visiting keeper Sol Brynn.
Middlesbrough struggled for any fluency in the opening half so it came as a surprise when they nudged themselves in front as Aidan Morris and Alan Browne linked up neatly for the latter to cross for Strelec to convert.
Ipswich's response was immediate and clinical, with Azon back-heeling into the path of McAteer who unerringly found the bottom corner of Brynn's net from 20 yards.
Whatever Boro boss Kim Hellberg said at the interval completely changed the complexion of the game, with Alex Gilbert having an effort cleared off the line and Strelec seeing a shot well saved by Christian Walton.
Slovakia international Strelec was a thorn in Ipswich's side throughout and he found Callum Brittain, whose cross was blocked into the path of the waiting Conway, who could not miss from two yards.
Strelec almost added a third, forcing a good save out of Walton, before substitute Jeremy Sarmiento, a promotion-winner with Ipswich two years ago, did likewise.
With Middlesbrough seemingly heading for a win that would reignite their own automatic promotion hopes, Ipswich substitute Hirst took a tumble in the area under an untidy challenge from Malanda.
Referee Jarred Gillett paused before awarding a penalty, which Clarke duly dispatched to leave second place still very much up for grabs.
Image source, Getty Images
