BRACKNELL Town manager Geoff Warner believes fan-power has played a major role in his side's march to the Bostik League South Central Division play-off final, writes Dave Wright.

Following their 2-1 win over Westfield in the semi-final, they will meet Cheshunt at Larges Lane this Saturday (3pm) in the battle to secure the second promotion spot.

A crowd close to 600 – more than double the usual attendance – roared the soaring Robins on Tuesday to a victory which was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

"People say we win at home because we play on a 3G pitch, but much of our success is down to the fans, " said Warner.

"'The support we have had this season is unbelievable. The fans get behind us and lift the team. The players love it.

"The atmosphere enables us to win games and we are now hoping it will be much the same this Saturday for the big one."

Town, having sealed second place in the final league standings with a 6-0 rout of Ashford last Saturday, overcame a slowish start to defeat a Westfield side who had beaten them 4-2 at Woking Park on Easter Monday.

They took the lead through Liam Ferdinand's deflected shot in the 32nd minute and doubled their lead seven minutes later when Adam Cornell turned home a Joe Grant cross.

Town created several good chances to increase their advantage, but found Gary Ross in outstanding form in the visitors' goal, making two particularly good saves in straight succession from Ferdinand and Grant just before the hour mark.

Westfield pulled a goal back through substitute Graeme Purdy after 76 minutes to set up a rather nervy finish, but Town held on for a thoroughly deserved victory without too many anxious moments.

Ryan Parsons, Matty Day, Carl Davies and Joel Jacobs were outstanding in defence, while Kensley Maloney was his usual industrious self in midfield.

Manager Geoff Warner revealed that he, along with assistants Michael Butcher and Tony Perry had to make some difficult decisions when picking the team, which led to fit-again skipper Dave Hancock and fellow defender Joe Gater being left on the subs bench.

But the starting XI got the job done and as the manager commented: "We won more easily than 2-1. We had nine scoring chances, some one-on-ones, but their keeper did well."

He added: "This is a great result for this club. The players were brilliant tonight, you could not fault them.

"Now we have got to the final, we need to win it and get the club promoted."

Before the Westfield game, there was a minute's applause for Town's former secretary, Darrell Freeland, who died last weekend at the age of 43 after being seriously ill for several months. Members of his family and close friends attended the game.