NEIL Moss watched Garreth O'Connor's double give Cherries' League One play-off hopes a major boost and then hailed the Irishman as "head and shoulders our best player this season".

O'Connor took his tally to 14 by grabbing a second-half brace as Cherries recorded a stunning victory over promotion rivals Bristol City at Ashton Gate on April 5.

And the Dubliner's efforts - the second from the penalty spot - also saw Cherries chalk up five successive away league victories for the first time in the club's history.

Moss, who played his part by pulling off some crucial saves, told the Daily Echo: "Gaz was an excellent player last season, but, this season, he's been absolutely outstanding for us and, for me, he's been head and shoulders our best player.

"You know when he gets the ball that he very rarely gives it away and he's not one of those negative midfielders either. He gets it and he always produces something and we wouldn't be the team we are without him.

"The only problem maybe is that if the scouts sitting in the stand are looking at him and thinking he can definitely do a job either a league or two above then I would certainly have to agree with them."

Cherries, roared on by more than 1,000 travelling supporters, were applauded off the pitch by an appreciative City faithful following the final whistle.

Moss added: "It was one of our best performances of the season. The conditions were ideal for us, the pitch was fantastic and, as everyone knows, we try to play football.

"Apart from the first 10 minutes, I thought we were the better side. We had the lion's share of the chances, their keeper pulled off two or three really good saves and we missed a couple of other chances.

"But overall, we're absolutely delighted. The three points were the most important thing and I think we would have taken that even if we had played badly so to play well, get the three points and a clean sheet is the icing on the cake."

Goal hero O'Connor said: "It's a brilliant result for us. It puts a bit of distance between them and us and I don't know if they're out of it, but there's a big gap now so hopefully we can go on from here.

"I thought we were very good. We played better in the second half when things opened up a bit. I think the first goal relaxed us and I thought it was a very good performance."

O'Connor, who bagged his second from the spot after John Spicer had been felled, added: "I was more nervous after missing the last one against MK Dons. I decided to try to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and it worked.

"For the first goal, the defender was backing off so I decided to flick it with the outside of my right boot and it went in the corner.

"I set myself a target for the season of 10 and I've passed that now so I just want to keep scoring until the end of the season."

Victory, which took Cherries into fifth place, sets up an enthralling encounter against league leaders Luton Town at Dean Court on Saturday.

O'Connor said: "It's a confidence thing ahead of Saturday as well as getting the points on the board. That's six points from our last two games and hopefully we can get a result against Luton."