BLUES coach Willie Donachie has revealed that Ipswich have targeted an unbeaten run-in to the end of the season for them to win automatic promotion, writes Derek Davis.

BLUES coach Willie Donachie has revealed that Ipswich have targeted an unbeaten run-in to the end of the season for them to win automatic promotion, writes Derek Davis.

As Sunderland went top of the Championship for the first time this season the pressure is building on Ipswich and Wigan, but Donachie is convinced Town can overhaul their rivals.

The Black Cats' 1-0 win against Coventry, with Marcus Stewart setting up Chris Brown's winner, gives Sunderland a five-point gap over third-placed Ipswich.

Fortunately for Town, who kept their third clean sheet in a row but dropped two points at Gillingham, Wigan were held to a draw by Nottingham Forest.

When hostilities resume in April, Town's assistant manager Donachie is sure that things will change again among the top three.

The Scot said: "We can go to the end of the season and not lose another game. We can win all our home games and pick up at least a point away so we feel we have a good chance.

"You get days like this against Gillingham where you are disappointed but you just have to be strong and get on with it.

"We now have a two-week break where we can have a good rest after two wins and a draw and then start again with seven games to go."

Donachie conceded that Ipswich were fortunate to get a draw at Gillingham but they have now accumulated 73 points, which equals the tally Town finished with at the end of last season.

Donachie added: "There is a lot of potential for more points and a good chance to do it. We know Wigan and Sunderland will drop points because no game in this league is easy."

Town still have a nine-point cushion between them and fourth-placed Preston, who moved above Derby with a 2-0 win at Watford, although George Burley's side now have a game in hand and are Town's next visitors on April 2.

Lee McCulloch gave Wigan the lead at Forest, who then equalised through a controversial Gareth Taylor finish.

Wigan manger Paul Jewell warned: "Sunderland might have gone top but there will be a lot of twists and turns in the coming weeks."

The Black Cats' boss has vowed to utilise his full squad after Brown came off the bench to fire in the winner. Mick McCarthy said: "These lads are not there to sit on the bench, warming their bums and watching the game – they can all sit in the stands and do that.

"They are there for a reason and sometimes they are more important than those who start, and they've done it again."

Sunderland visit Wigan on April 5, and then Ipswich on April 17.

n Ipswich Town Reserves are in action tonight when they entertain West Ham at Portman Road. Kick-off is 7pm.