VETERAN campaigner Marcus Browning says Cherries can approach their League One play-off decider against Hartlepool with "no fear".

Sean O'Driscoll's troops know victory over Pools in front of a sell-out crowd at Dean Court on Saturday would guarantee an extension to the season.

The Teessiders are currently one point and one place above Cherries in fifth and need only a draw at the Fitness First Stadium to book their place in the top six.

But both Cherries and Hartle-pool will have a keen eye on proceedings at Wrexham tonight where play-off rivals Brentford play their game in hand.

However, irrespective of the outcome at the Racecourse Ground, Browning insists Cherries must focus on their potential 'winner-takes-all' clash against Hartlepool.

Browning told the Daily Echo: "We've just got to concentrate on trying to win our game and not worry about what is going on elsewhere.

"Our destiny is in our own hands and although it's going to be a new experience for a lot of the lads, we've got to go out and play with no fear.

"It's going to be one of the biggest games of your career and you've got to grab it by the scruff of the neck and make the most of it.

"We haven't won the last few games at home, but this is a one-off and we will be treating it like a cup final.

"Hartlepool may be thinking they only need a draw so they might be a bit tentative. There's everything to play for and we are really looking forward to it."

Browning and Steve Fletcher, the two elder statesmen in the Cherries camp, will have a key role to play against Pools, who head to Dean Court on the back of a 3-1 home defeat by Walsall.

Hartlepool-born Fletcher told the Daily Echo: "We just need to continue from where we left off at Bradford because our second-half display was excellent.

"We know exactly what we need to do - we have to win, it's as simple as that. We were disappointed to lose at Bradford but we've got to pick ourselves up and the way we played in the second half, I'm sure we will.

"It's not just us, but everybody seems to be stumbling towards the play-offs. Some people said it was always going to go down to this and maybe it was, maybe it is fate.

"We've got to make sure we get everybody behind us and get the place rocking. We need to reach the play-offs this season and we can't let another year slip by."

The eagerly-anticipated showdown against Hartlepool will certainly be a new experience for young stars John Spicer and Matthew Mills.

Midfielder Spicer said: "To be honest, we always thought it would go down to the last game of the season because of the way things have been going. Winning on the last day of the season would be a great way to reach the play-offs. I know we haven't won at home for a while, but I'm sure we can put that right on Saturday."

And on-loan defender Mills added: "Some of the other results went our way at the weekend so if we can beat Hartlepool that would seal our place in the play-offs. We'll have a good week of training and be right for the game. We are really looking forward to it."