HOMEGROWN hero Andy Booth is scenting automatic promotion as Town aim to complete a best League run in 84 years with a win against Carlisle at Brunton Park tomorrow (7.45).

Peter Jackson's warriors can go second in the table with three points after Efe Sodje's bullet header downed rivals Oxford 1-0 and catapulted Town into the thick of the promotion hunt.

Almost 1,300 travelling fans celebrated a 10th win in 12 matches at the new Kassam Stadium - equalling the sequence of Mick Buxton's promotion-winning side 22 years ago.

Not since they finished the 1919-20 season with a club record 12 wins and two draws has any Town line-up done better, however, and Booth believes that will be a massive spur tomorrow night.

"In 1995 we were always going for the play-offs, but this time we've got a great chance of going up automatically and everyone has got to start realising that," said Booth, who has an injured left hand.

"When you look back to Christmas, people were only talking of the play-offs at that stage, but we've come a long way since then and automatic is now an opportunity which we want to grab.

"Chances like this don't come along all that often, so you've got to make the most of them, just like we did in '95.

"It's difficult to compare the two sides. We were a good battling side back then with a good team spirit. This is a team which gives everything in every game and we've also got a brilliant team spirit."

Manager Jackson - playing his Rock the Casbah and encouraging promising young players to have a go - takes the credit for that and he is delighted with Town's form as matches approach against the bottom three teams.

"The character of our performance on Saturday was fantastic and epitomises everything we are building at the club," said Jackson, who hopes Sodje (knee and ankle) and Tony Carss (hip) will be fit.

"We defended with our lives at times to smash their long unbeaten home record, but we also played some good football and the effort and desire to win was magnificent.

"There have been a few ups and downs this season, but over the last 13 matches I'm very proud of the way we've played - the players have been outstanding and they've shown they care about wearing the blue and white stripes.

"Every one of the lads, not just the 11 out there on the pitch, is doing his bit and the fans can see the commitment.

"Our support on Saturday was brilliant - like having an extra man - and I was delighted we won for them."

Sodje and Carss missed training yesterday and were again having treatment today. They will be given until the last minute to recover for Carlisle.

Jackson dropped Phil Senior for loan keeper Paul Rachubka and explained: "It was a big decision but it proved to be the right one because of the win.

"Phil is disappointed, but he will be back. He's got a big part to play here - that's why we extended his contract."