Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy is relishing the play-offs after his side survived a fright in the 3-2 defeat at Blackburn.
The Sky Bet Championship's top scorer Daryl Murphy put Ipswich ahead within two minutes with a stunning volley.
It put the visitors - who started the day fifth - comfortably in the top six but Jordan Rhodes and Craig Conway struck before half-time to turn the game on its head.
When Rudy Gestede prodded home a third, McCarthy's men were only in the top six on goal difference and, although Murphy hit his 27th of the season from the spot late on, Ipswich could not find a leveller.
It did not matter, however, as Derby were hammered 3-0 at home by Reading, and McCarthy was relieved but firmly believes his side deserve to be where they are, with Norwich on the horizon.
He said: "Yes (relief) but delight as well because we had to remind ourselves in the dressing room we're in the play-offs, and deservedly so because with 78 points we deserve it over the season.
"It's inspirational, I think, the thought of going into them (play-offs). I don't think anybody gave us a chance at the start of the season. I think everybody's seeing what we're made of. We weren't great today but kept going and could have got back in it. I'd like to have done it on our own merits but the play-offs is something to relish and look forward to."
Blackburn fought back admirably but Ipswich perhaps should have got more goals, with Freddie Sears hitting the crossbar in the first half, twice firing over in the second and somehow missing the target from two yards.
But McCarthy refused to blame the defeat on bad fortune, and backed Sears to rediscover his scoring touch.
"It's not bad luck, is it? It's bad technique. Dario Gradi taught me that on my coaching badge. It's stuck with me, that, and it is. It's bad finishing. But that's from a guy who's been brilliant and he felt really bad today, Freddie," he said.
"But I said 'save it for the play-off final, pal. You can't score every game so save it for next week and the week after'. He's been brilliant."
