Ambrose (left) celebrates his winning goal

Super-sub Darren Ambrose fired a last-gasp winner to secure a valuable three points for Ipswich and cap a satisfying week for under-fire manager George Burley.

But there was not much else to remember in a dour game played out in front of a paltry crowd of 3,238 at Selhurst Park.

With the game seemingly destined for a goalless draw, Ambrose - a second-half replacement for Nigerian striker Finidi George - swept home from the edge of the area in the 91st minute.

Chances were few and far between in either half with Ipswich striker Pablo Counago going closest to breaking the deadlock.

But his scorching 20-yard shot cannoned back off the woodwork deep in the second period.

Stuart Murdoch's side were looking to build on their impressive 3-1 midweek Worthington Cup win at Portsmouth to move out of the bottom five.

Ipswich were fresh from their outstanding Uefa Cup triumph in Yugoslavia.

And it was George Burley's side, fourth from bottom and without a league win since 18 August, who looked the more sprightly in the opening exchanges.

A disappointing first 45 minutes was complete with both keepers able to count on one hand the saves they had to make, but both sides threatened to break the deadlock after the interval.

George headed just wide for Ipswich, while Wimbledon responded with a 20-yard drive from Joel McAnuff which flew the wrong side of the post.

Murdoch replaced Adam Nowland with Wayne Gray shortly after the interval, while minutes later Burley brought on Ambrose for George as both managers looked to give their sides fresh impetus.

Late spell

Ipswich could have taken the lead in the 64th minute when Dons keeper Kelvin Davis held long-range efforts in quick succession from Jermaine Wright and Marcus Bent.

Neil Shipperley tried his luck again from long range, but it was Ipswich striker Counago who came closest to breaking the deadlock.

The Spaniard sent one rocket skimming just wide from the right edge of the penalty area in the 70th minute and soon after saw an identical effort crash back off the woodwork with Davis well beaten.

And just as the fans began to filter out of Selhurst Park, Ipswich were rewarded for a late spell of pressure with Ambrose grabbing the all-important winner with virtually the last kick of the game.

Wimbledon: Davis, Holloway, Gier, Leigertwood, Hawkins, McAnuff, Andersen, Francis, Tapp, Shipperley, Nowland. Subs: Willmott, Heald, Gray, Reo-Coker, Haara.

Ipswich: Marshall, Clapham, Brown, McGreal, Makin, Wright, Miller, Holland, George, Marcus Bent, Counago. Subs: Armstrong, Ambrose, Gaardsoe, Pullen, Richards.

Referee: M Fletcher (Worcestershire)