CHERRIES today secured promotion to the Championship after goals from Steve Cook, Harry Arter and Brett Pitman had sealed a 3-1 win over Carlisle amid jubilant scenes at a packed Dean Court.

That victory – together with defeats for rivals Doncaster and Sheffield United and Brentford’s draw at Hartlepool – handed Eddie Howe’s heroes a place in the second flight for only the second time in the club’s history.

Supporters invaded the pitch on the final whistle as, at that stage, only a huge swing in goal difference could have denied Cherries promotion.

But with players, management and fans already toasting the club’s remarkable transformation since Howe’s return in October, Brentford’s failure to beat Hartlepool in the late kick-off confirmed Cherries’ leap to the Championship regardless of the outcome when they visit Tranmere next Saturday.

The win against the Cumbrians – which propelled Cherries to the top of League One – also saw the team rewrite the Dean Court record books as Howe’s men registered an eighth consecutive league triumph.

Cook started the ball rolling when he headed home the opener after 25 minutes before Lee Miller’s equaliser threatened to spoil the party.

However, after Arter had restored their lead, there was no looking back with man of the moment Pitman putting the finishing touches to the win in stoppage time.

Ryan Allsop saved after Miller had looked to draw first blood for the visitors, the Cherries goalkeeper scooping away the striker’s shot before Eunan O’Kane cleared the loose ball.

Allsop then pulled off a stunning reaction save to keep out another effort from Miller, the Scotsman’s fierce strike from a Matty Robson cross superbly beaten away by the stopper.

Carlisle goalkeeper Mark Gillespie raced off his line to smother at the feet of Lewis Grabban after Brett Pitman’s flick from an Allsop clearance had split the Cumbrians’ backline.

Gillespie safely pouched a long-range effort from O’Kane before the goalkeeper saved with his legs after Harry Arter’s defence-splitting pass had sent Grabban clear.

Cook made the breakthrough midway through the first half when he rose to meet a Simon Francis cross, his well-placed header from around 12 yards giving Gillespie no chance.

As Cherries went in search of a quick second, Gillespie had to be on his toes to save smartly from Grabban’s opportunist strike.

Cherries had a huge let-off on the stroke of half-time when Carlisle striker Rory Loy, with the goal at his mercy, contrived to hit the crossbar with a free hit from eight yards.

Miller levelled for the visitors five minutes into the second half when he made the most of some ponderous defending to hook the ball home from close range.

Arter spurrned a glorious chance to restore Cherries’ lead, the midfielder lifting his shot over the crossbar after Charlie Daniels had picked him out from a corner.

O’Kane’s crucial interception prevented Loy from going through before Gillespie was forced to beat away a ferocious right-foot drive from Grabban.

Arter atoned for his earlier miss when he fired Cherries back in front with a finely-taken individual effort, the midfielder finding the back of the net with a left-foot finish from the edge of the box.

Pitman went close to adding a third when he blazed wide after being teed up by Arter before Richard Hughes replaced the injured O’Kane midway through the second half.

A delightful piece of skill from Arter saw him fashion another opening, although his shot from a tight angle fizzed past the upright.

Pitman completed the scoring with a stunning effort, the striker netting for the eighth game in succession with a low left-foot drive in stoppage-time.

The result sparked euphoric scenes with fans celebrating safe in the knowledge that only a huge defeat at Tranmere next Saturday could have prevented Cherries from winning automatic promotion.

But with the party already in full swing at an emotional Dean Court, Brentford's failure to beat Hartlepool in the late kick-off confirmed Cherries' place in the Championship regardless of the outcome in their final match of the campaign, although victory at Tranmere would seal the League One title.

Cherries: Allsop, Francis, Cook, Elphick, Daniels, Ritchie, O’Kane (Hughes, 67), Arter, Pugh, Grabban (MacDonald, 88), Pitman. Unused subs: McQuoid, Seaborne, Fogden, Tubbs, Jalal (g/k).

Booked: Daniels, Francis.

Cumbrians: Gillespie, Potts, Livesey, O’Hanlon, Mustoe (Beck, 90), McGovern (Salmon, 82), Noble, Berrett, Robson, Loy (Manset, 77), Miller.

Unused subs: Murphy, Edwards, Todd, Collin (g/k).

Booked: Noble.

Attendance: 9,014 (including 373 visiting supporters).

Referee: Mick Russell (Hertfordshire).