WING wizard Wade Elliott helped keep Cherries' play-off dream alive and then sounded out a warning to their top-six rivals: "Don't write us off just yet".

Elliott netted his ninth goal of the season as Sean O'Driscoll's side chalked up their fifth consecutive Division Two victory with a 2-0 triumph over Northampton Town on Saturday.

The 22-year-old's stunning first-half opener - coupled with Claus Jorgensen's deflected 52nd-minute effort - helped Cherries sustain their heroic late bid to make the promotion shake-up.

But on a day of mixed emotions as the curtain came down for the final time at Dean Court, Cherries' win was tempered by news of victories for play-off chasers Walsall, Stoke and Wigan.

It means O'Driscoll's troops must win their last game of the season at Reading's Madejski Stadium in five days time - and then hope one of their rivals slip up.

The Royals have already qualified for the play-offs after missing out on automatic promotion and will be looking to eliminate in-form Cherries in front of an all-ticket crowd in Berkshire.

And although Walsall have two away games left to secure their play-off berth, Wigan and Stoke will be looking anxiously over their shoulders when they entertain Bristol City and Swindon respectively.

Elliott, who made his Cherries debut at Reading last season, said: "It was very disappointing to discover the teams above us had all won, but there is not much we can do about their results.

"All we can do is keep winning and keep the pressure on them. It's far too early to write off our chances because there are always a few twists and turns on the final day of the season.

"We will go to Reading under no pressure whatsoever. It's a great stadium and there should be a full house which will spur us on. We are confident we will produce another good performance.

"We have taken 24 points out of our last nine games so there is not much more we could have done. We have got to give it our best shot at Reading and then hope one of the other teams draw or lose.

"We know we have got to win and that could work in our favour because Wigan and Stoke won't know what we are doing at Reading so it could put all the pressure on them."

O'Driscoll and his backroom team have worked a minor miracle to get Cherries to the brink of the play-offs after seeing them crash into the relegation zone less than six months ago. He has still not spent a penny on his squad since taking charge in August and has moulded his collection of free transfers, loan signings and youth team graduates into one of the most impressive Cherries teams in the club's 100-year history.

O'Driscoll said: "The players deserve all the plaudits. We always knew they had the ability and our job was to create an atmosphere for them to show what they could do.

"Whatever happens at Reading, they have all been magnificent. This season has been a big test for them and the next test will be to see if they can repeat it next season.

"The teams who are above us are there on merit. We just wanted to make sure we went to Reading on the last day of the season with something to play for apart from pride and the players have done that.

"Nobody inside the club ever panicked at the start of the season and the players have continued to work very hard to achieve what they have achieved. They are not afraid to lose.

"They now have an inner belief that if they play well, they will create chances and eventually score. That's exactly what happened against Northampton.

"Once again, our crowd were excellent. They were patient and didn't get on the players' backs. It was a relief when Wade scored the first goal and I thought they did a thoroughly professional job."

Remaining games - Thursday: Port Vale v Walsall. Saturday: Reading v Cherries, Northampton v Walsall, Stoke v Swindon, Wigan v Bristol City.