HUDDERSFIELD boss Lee Clark is backing Lee Bradbury and Steve Fletcher to again have Cherries in the promotion mix next season.

Clark’s Terriers ended Cherries’ valiant play-off adventure when they won through to the final following a dramatic penalty shootout on Wednesday.

Beaten semi-finalists last season, Town were held to a 3-3 draw by Cherries at the Galpharm Stadium before prevailing 4-2 on penalties.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Clark said: “Bournemouth will be a force again next season because they just don’t know when they are beaten.

“We went through this last year and it is a terrible feeling. But Lee and Fletch will be proud of their players. They are a magnificent group and have acquitted themselves superbly all season.

“Lee and Fletch took over from a man who had done fantastically well and the transition has been seamless. We have had four great games against them and Lee has been in charge for three of them. There has been nothing between the two teams.

“All four games have been brilliant. They have been aggressive, without being over the top, and we have both played some great football and gone for goals.

“I am glad we came out victorious but you can’t give the opposition enough praise. They were probably the better team over the 180 minutes and caused us lots of problems.”

Clark, meanwhile, revealed he chose not to watch the start of the penalty shootout and instead opted to retreat to the calm of his office.

He added: “It is an awful way to win and an awful way to lose. I nominated my penalty takers and went to my office for a beer. Irrespective of the outcome, I told Lee to make sure he came in to share one.”