PETER JACKSON is hoping Town's season-ticket holders will help the club add 9,000 new fans for the final three home games of the season.

That's how many `Friend for a Fiver' vouchers remain unused from season-ticket books as Town - who have made the April 17 date with Scunthorpe a Quid a Kid fixture - start their run-in against Leyton Orient at the Matchroom Stadium on Saturday.

"We have a terrace for 3,000 fans at Orient and, hopefully, it will be packed with blue and white," said Jackson today.

"Our support away from home has been phenomenal, but we are also keen to have as many people down at the McAlpine, too, for our final three games.

"If our season-ticket holders can bring along mates or family on the Friend for a Fiver vouchers, then that will be a massive bonus to the club and the team."

Over 7,500 of the vouchers have already been used - a figure well up on last season - but chief executive Andrew Watson believes fans have a great opportunity to cash in.

"The season is reaching an exciting climax and the chance for people to come and watch for £5 and sit anywhere in the stadium is a terrific offer," he said.

"We have had brilliant support, with our average gate being alongside many of those we've had in the First Division over the past 20 years - a real credit to Peter and the squad - but we do want to push the numbers up if at all possible.

"It all goes to helping the lads challenge for promotion and every penny spent helps the club in future."

Town's top-three hopes received a lift last night when fourth-placed Torquay were beaten 2-1 at Mansfield.

Torquay are now two points adrift of Town and have played a game more. Should Hull lose at Boston tonight, Town will head to the capital just three points off second spot and eager to keep the chasing pack at bay.

"The results went our way last night, but it will count for nothing if we don't go about our business correctly," added Jackson.

Town - who ask supporters to exchange Friend for a Fiver vouchers midweek if possible - were today expecting a further allocation of around 400 tickets from Hull, to take their full quota to over 3,700.

These tickets are still selling fast and ticket office manager Sue Beaumont said: "We expect all our matches to be very busy.

"Kidderminster tickets are on sale and returns are available for Northampton, while at home the Quid a Kid for Under 16s against Scunthorpe should do well after more than 1,400 made use of the schools' promotion against Swansea last weekend."

* Former Town stars Keith Hanvey, Dave Sutton, Peter Fletcher and Brian Stanton are guests of the Patrons tomorrow (8.00).