Sean O'Driscoll insisted Bournemouth had saved their best until last with a 5-2 romp over Lincoln in the Third Division play-off final at the Millennium Stadium.

The Cherries manager watched his team defy critics who branded them too inexperienced at the start of the season by winning promotion at the first attempt following last year's relegation.

And they did it in style, becoming the first side to hit five in a play-off final, destroying the best defence in their division with strikes from Carl Fletcher (2), Steve Fletcher, Stephen Purches and Gareth O'Connor.

O'Driscoll said: "That's the first time we've scored five all season. We're renowned for making chances and not scoring, but we saved our best for last.

"We were disappointed to get relegated last year but we've played some good football this year and got the results. It's a special day.

"People said we were too young and not strong enough, but I'm glad my players got their reward."

O'Driscoll's biggest worry now could be keeping his young side together, with eight of his players under 25.

He said: "It's always the way with a small club like ours - we bring on youngsters and they bring on attention once they do well."

Among the jubilant Cherries team was winger Wade Elliott, who was a winner on his Cardiff return a week after visiting the stadium to watch his beloved Saints in the FA Cup final.

Lincoln manager Keith Alexander refused to be too downbeat following a season in which his club have come back from the brink of financial ruin. City could have gone out of business but for a loan of £600,000 from fans, directors and the PFA, and Alexander's squad contains eight players who have made the step up from non-league football.

Alexander said: "We're disappointed but you've got to look at the season as a whole. This time last year we hadn't been paid for eight weeks, and now look at us. We've been staying in the Celtic Manor."

Lincoln spent the build-up to the match at the luxurious hotel and golf complex off the M4 motorway, but they failed to give their fans in the 32,148 crowd anything to celebrate.

City had not conceded more than two goals in a league game all season prior to this crushing defeat, and Alexander said: "We gave our worst defensive performance of the season today.

"We've defended well all season but you don't deserve to win if you concede five goals. We conceded sloppy goals to a team who scored every time they had a shot.

"People are going to remember the poor defensive display and not the season we've had. Our supporters have been magnificent and we're disappointed we haven't put on a better show for them."

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