Former Ipswich Town defender Fabian Wilnis believes there will be an air of invincibility around Portman Road, following Saturday’s memorable win at Charlton Athletic.

Noel Hunt’s injury-time strike settled a tight contest and saw Town move into the second automatic promotion spot for the first time this season.

With one defeat in 15 and four wins in five, the Blues will look to enhance that impressive sequence at home to Leeds.

Wilnis, a member of the last Ipswich team to win promotion, via the play-offs in 2000, said: “When a new signing makes an instant impact like Noel Hunt, it gives players a big confidence boost and, in their heads, they will be thinking no-one can stop them.

“They will be relishing being in second position and when you are doing well, you feel invincible and confident that you can take on anyone.”

During the 1999-2000 season, Town scored 71 goals in 46 games and won 12 games by a single-goal margin.

“You always think you are going to get something from a game, even if you are not playing particularly well, and when we were promoted, we had Marcus Stewart who you may not have noticed for 85 minutes, but would always come up with something brilliant,” added Wilnis.

“It’s quite similar at Ipswich. They have got (Daryl) Murphy and (David) McGoldrick in attack and look really solid, with one of the best defences I have seen at Portman Road for years.”

Indeed, Town have conceded, on average, just a goal a game this season and Wilnis explained winning promotion was not just about a team’s headline-grabbers.

“Noel’s goal was a brilliant moment but before that, Charlton surged forward and Stephen Hunt made a last-ditch tackle,” explained Wilnis.

“You need to be willing to do this kind of thing and had he (Stephen Hunt) not gone with the runner, Charlton may have been 1-0 up.

“That’s the kind of pure team effort you need.”