RICHARD O'Kelly has urged Cherries' travelling supporters to make the difference once again in tonight's crucial League One clash at Bristol City (Ashton Gate, April 5, 7.45pm kick-off).

The Cherries assistant manager was in positive mood as the side chases a club record fifth straight away win against their fellow play-off contenders.

But O'Kelly believes success could also be down to the backing of a healthy away following as Cherries fans take to the roads en masse to urge their team on to what could be a vital victory.

O'Kelly said: "From our point of view, we are staying positive about things and hopefully the supporters will as well. Their support this season at times has been excellent and they have an important role to play for us over the rest of the season.

"The recent game at Walsall summed them up because we were 1-0 down within seven seconds and from that moment on, they responded superbly for us.

"They didn't wait until we started to play before they started making a noise chanting and encouraging us and we went on to win the game 2-1.

"That result was as much down to them as it was down to the players and staff that day. Hopefully, they can help us in the same way again."

O'Kelly, who enjoyed a successful playing career as a striker for Walsall, Grimsby and Port Vale, is well aware of the impact positive encouragement from the fans can achieve on the players.

He said: "As a professional sportsman it is important to have confidence and if you have people standing behind you saying 'that's rubbish' then it can have the adverse effect.

"Anybody grows from the experience when you are being told 'that's good, great effort' that kind of thing. I know the players appreciate it and the coaching staff do as well."

O'Kelly has outlined the fixture as a "cracker" and - albeit perhaps with tongue-in-cheek - has compared it to Wednesday night's Milan derby in the Champions League quarter-final.

He quipped: "This is as big a game as AC Milan v Inter Milan - well, it is in my opinion anyway.

"It is set up to be a cracker. Bristol City are a very entertaining team and have some very good players.

"Leroy Lita is in the England under-21 set-up, and I thought Tom Doherty did quite well in midfield when he played for Northern Ireland against England last weekend. They are certainly two we know we have to deal with."

Sean O'Driscoll's right-hand man believes the race for the play-offs will serve up a few surprises between now and the end of the season with clubs currently in mid-table still well capable of making a late charge.

He said: "We are just above Bristol City but all the sides down to about 10th place know that two wins can take you into the play-off places and two losses can take you out.

"It will be an exciting end to the season, which is what the play-offs are all about.

"These are the kind of games we all want to be involved in. It is a pressure situation but it is far better than drifting towards the end of the season with nothing riding on it. It is set up for an exciting final."