FORMER Galpharm hero Jon Stead has told his Town mates to `keep their foot on the pedal' for promotion.

As Colchester and Swansea won last night to pile on the top-six pressure, the 23-year-old Sunderland striker believes Town have the character and ability to clinch second spot.

While Stead lines up against Manchester United on Friday and gets ready for the big derby at home to Newcastle on Monday, Town's next assignment is on Saturday at Dean Court against Bournemouth, who scored a 1-0 win at Walsall last night thanks to James Hayter.

"I still keep in touch with a lot of the lads and, obviously, I want Town to go up this time," said Stead, pictured, who is well aware he could face his hometown club in the Championship next term.

"It's very close in League I and the way the other results have gone it's meant that no-one apart from Southend have managed to open a gap.

"I just hope Jacko and the lads can keep their foot on the pedal right to the end of the season, because we could do with clinching automatic promotion rather than having to go through the play-offs once again."

Martin McIntosh was back for Town Reserves against Walsall today.

Reserves - Eastwood, Walls, Skarz, McIntosh, McCombe, Hardy, Collins, Young, Abbott, Akins, Wilson, Hand, Racchi, Killock, Bailey, Hallam.