CARL Robinson thought he had scored the goal that had all but clinched promotion on Sunday, but the Sunderland midfielder is remaining "surprisingly relaxed" about the last-gasp leveller that has kept Ipswich's hopes of a top-two finish alive.

Robinson's 84th-minute strike fired the Black Cats into a one-goal lead at Portman Road that would have left them just one win away from a return to the Premiership.

But Marcus Bent's equaliser means that Sunderland still need two more victories to guarantee top-flight football, although one would be enough if Ipswich were to slip up in any of their remaining three games.

Mick McCarthy's side have spent most of this season playing catch-up after a stuttering start but, now that the tables have turned, Robinson is adamant that his team-mates will not suffer any worrying wobbles with the finishing line in sight.

"When I scored our second goal, I thought I'd scored the winner," admitted the Wales international. "Perhaps even the goal that would get us promoted.

"But we allowed them to score an equaliser and we had to hang on a bit in injury time.

"We're not getting nervous though. In fact, we're surprisingly relaxed about the whole thing.

"I don't think there is any danger of nerves getting the best of us, but we also know we cannot get complacent either. The good thing about this squad is that they never get too carried away."

Sunderland's youngsters have come in for constant praise this season and, on Sunday, it was 20-year-old Stephen Elliott that hauled the Black Cats back into game just four minutes after coming off the bench to replace Marcus Stewart.

But experience is often crucial in the final weeks of the season and, with the likes of Robinson, Stewart, Gary Breen and Thomas Myhre in the camp, Sunderland should not be lacking a wise word from an old head.

"There are a few experienced heads about the place and that helps," said Robinson. "The gaffer makes sure there is a relaxed atmosphere but, when the time comes to get serious, we know we have a job to do.

"He has seen it all before and he inspires confidence in the rest of us. It's an approach which has worked all season."

Robinson has also seen it all before after making 17 appearances for Portsmouth as the south coast side won the First Division title in 2003.

The 28-year-old has also suffered play-off heartbreak on four separate occasions but, while nobody at the Stadium of Light is taking anything for granted, he is confident his team-mates are playing well enough to secure an automatic spot within the next three weeks.

"We've got three games left and, if we play like we have in our last two, we'll have no problems getting promoted," said Robinson.

"We shouldn't be in this position. In our last two games, we've had more chances than in any of our other games this season. We've had enough chances to win four games, let alone two.

"But confidence is high and we're playing our best football at the most important stage of the season."

* Sunderland have sold out their allocation for the away game at West Ham, but tickets are still available for the two remaining home games with Leicester and Stoke.

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