STRIKE star Pawel Abbott is backing Town to win promotion - if not this season then next.
The 23-goal top scorer was aiming to help Peter Jackson's side keep alive their outside chances of a League I play-off berth by beating Colchester United at the Galpharm Stadium this afternoon (3.00).
And even if Town's late bid for a top-six spot fails, the 23-year-old believes the confidence gained from the recent winning run (five games on the spin before today) will be evident next season.
"The gaffer and (assistant manager) Terry Yorath are always telling us what we are capable of achieving as a team," he said.
"Now we are starting to see it for ourselves, and our confidence levels are rising as a result.
"We've got ourselves into the position where a play-off place is still possible, and we'll keep going until the bitter end.
"If it doesn't happen this time, we'll get down to some hard work over the summer and make sure we're ready to hit the ground running next season.
"After coming up last year, this season was always going to be a learning process, and we've all gained invaluable experience which we need to put to good use.
"We've got a great group of young players who have come into their own this time and they will only get stronger and better.
"We've learned over our recent good run that the way to do well is by working hard for each other.
"If we keep doing that, we won't go far wrong."
In last night's League I match, Sheffield Wednesday lost 3-0 in their clash with play-off rivals Hartlepool on Teesside.
Neil Warnock's Sheffield United were also beaten, 1-0, by Derby in their Championship match at Bramall Lane.
In League II there were 1-0 defeats for both Southend, at home to Leyton Orient, and Oxford, who were at Swansea.
