After a week away with Wales, Wes Burns returned to make a winning contribution as Ipswich Town dramatically overcame fellow promotion chasers Portsmouth 3-2 at a packed-out Portman Road.
Pompey twice drew level from the penalty spot following goals from Marcus Harness and Freddie Ladapo and it was Burns's 80th minute goal-line header which sealed the victory for Town.
After a stutter in the previous two league games, Burns believes the win displays the mentality of the team and the result felt more like six points than three.
"I think when you're playing against a team that you know are kind of going to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season, three points today kind of feels like six because you're stopping them getting three, and we're pulling away by three,” he said.
"It was just an all-around great performance from the lads today, I thought. We had to dig in twice. Both penalties aren't ideal, but it just goes to show the character we've got in the group that although we had two setbacks, we could go on to win the game.
"We had a clear game plan when we started the game today. We knew with them being a back four and the way we set up attacking-wise, we could hurt them down the flanks.
"I think in the first half we showed that in abundance. We created loads of chances playing down the left and right.
"In the second half, they tried to make it a bit more of a scrappy game. They slowed it down from the first kick, the goal-kicks, the throw-ins and when they got both of their pens, it's kind of like they're coming for a draw.
"And I think they would have been quite happy with a point today. But after the results at Hillsborough and at Plymouth, we said it's not happening today, we're making sure we get three today.
"I think it's just a shift in mentality. I think there's always a thing around us like we don't score enough goals and we never put the game to bed. I think today, when it goes 1-1, 2-1 and then 2-2, everyone is like, here it goes again, we can't beat Portsmouth or can't hold onto a lead and things like that.
"So I think it was just a really determined effort to show that that isn't the narrative here. We are a very good team. We can score goals and I think we've scored in every game this season.
"I don't think that's the narrative at all anymore. I think sometimes it is hard to break a team down that come and put 11 men behind the ball. But today, we dug deep, we went right to the end, and we got our reward for it.”
On the atmosphere in the dressing room afterwards, Burns continued: "I mean, it's a massive win. It's not often that we come in after a game and everyone is screaming with joy. We could sense it was a big win today.
"The dressing room was bouncing as you could imagine, but quickly we have to make sure we turn our focus to Cambridge on Tuesday because last year they were the team that derailed us when we were on a little bit of a run pushing for the play-offs.
"So we know that they can be a bit of a thorn in our sides. They are our neighbours down the road, so we have to make sure we put that to bed as well.
"Like I said, the last two results were a little bit of a kick for us. I know it's mad to say, but we were coming away from Hillsborough with a point and we're saying that's not really what we deserved, [we deserved more].
"I think that just goes to show how far we've come in the last 12 months since the boss has come in. I think today's result really does show how far we have come.”
The weight of expectation is growing at Ipswich and that was illustrated by yesterday’s 28,434 near-capacity crowd. For Burns, the increased attendance is something to drive the team on.
"That [the crowd] spurs us on a little bit more, I think. There's such an exciting energy around the place at the moment. Everyone can feel that we're heading in the right direction without getting carried away and things like that.
"We work hard daily. I think we're the hardest working team in the league and I can openly say that. We train hard every day and we're very competitive, there's competition for places in every spot and I think our day-to-day habits are what have given us the chance to go out and feel like we are the dominant team on the pitch.
"For us out there, we'd rather a 1-0 win, but 30,000 came here today and got what they wanted. They got goals, crazy decisions and things like that. So it was an exciting game all around and I'm just glad we were on the right end of it.”
Ultimately it was Burns's 80th-minute goal that saw Town fans go home happy. Although you could be forgiven for thinking he did well to get the wrong side of the defender, the reality was much simpler he admitted.
"Sometimes all you need is for it to hit you on the face and go in.” Burns joked. "But I'm just glad I could contribute in some way to push the team over the line.
"To be fair, I thought it was hitting the bar as it was coming down and then it seemed to hit me on the face and go in. Sometimes you just need that little bit of luck and today it was our way, so I'm glad about that.”
When questioned if Kyle Edwards might be claiming that the ball might have been over the line already with previous goals having been claimed by various players, he laughed: "It definitely wasn't over the line. Definitely mine! I know there's been a few this year where Chappers [Conor Chaplin] has said that it was his and whatnot, but it's definitely mine!”
Whilst he wasn't given any minutes by Rob Page when away with Wales, Burns's form for Ipswich will keep him in contention for a spot on the plane to Qatar in six weeks.
For now, his focus is firmly set on promotion to the Championship, but come November he hopes he and teammate Lee Evans could be part of the Wales World Cup squad.
Despite not playing he believes his time away was worthwhile: "Although I didn't get a chance to play, just being a part of it and watching some of the boys that are in that Wales camp or when we played Belgium and Poland, watching some of the pros that are on the pitch.
"It's a massive learning experience for me just to see the way they train, the way they play and how they carry themselves on the pitch. So although I didn't get any minutes, I still learnt a lot when I was away.
"Again, my focus is really on Ipswich. I want to get us promoted this year and I think everyone is in the same boat on that one.
"If I get a chance to go to the World Cup and I can tick it off my list and I can say I was at a World Cup, then brilliant. But Ipswich is at the forefront and that is where my head is at the moment. If it comes, it comes. If it doesn't, it doesn't.
"I think Lee got every chance as well if he carries on playing the way he does. He's been one of our standout players this season so far, so he's got every right to stake a claim to be on the plane to Qatar.”