Graham Alexander struck twice from the penalty spot as Burnley recorded a thumping win over Bristol City to finish fifth in the Coca-Cola Championship and set up a play-off semi-final clash against Reading.

Alexander and Wade Elliott found the net shortly before half-time for Owen Coyle's men against last season's beaten play-off finalists.

Alexander, now 37 but a key performer for Burnley throughout their marathon campaign, converted his second spot-kick with 14 minutes remaining and substitute Joey Gudjonsson added a fourth in the closing stages.

Victory was no more than the Clarets deserved as they were vibrant throughout and again reproduced the attractive brand of football which has won them many admirers.

Reading will not relish facing Coyle's men, who bundled Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal out of the Carling Cup earlier this season and took Tottenham to extra-time in a classic semi-final encounter at Turf Moor.

Coyle has made Burnley a respected force and given his players the belief that they can reach Wembley and win a money-spinning promotion to the Barclays Premier League.

They went into this game needing a win to guarantee their place in the play-offs due to neighbours Preston lying just two points below them prior to kick-off.

Yet the Clarets attacked with pace and purpose in the opening quarter with the outstanding Chris Eagles at the heart of all their most promising moves.

The former Manchester United winger illustrated his quality in the eighth minute by flicking up the ball from Elliott's pass and unleashing a fierce right-foot shot from around 10 yards.

City goalkeeper Adriano Basso was well beaten and grateful to see the ball rebound off the crossbar to safety but the visitors, with nothing but pride left to play for, gradually gained a foothold on proceedings.

Striker Nicky Maynard had the ball in the net in the 11th minute but an offside flag had already been raised.

Yet Burnley remained largely dominant and led from the spot in the 42nd minute after Jamie McAllister clumsily fouled Elliott.

Alexander produced a perfect penalty as he fired the ball into the top left corner of Basso's goal.

A second goal arrived two minutes later when City failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to the unmarked Elliott, who rifled home a fine left-foot shot from 20 yards.

Burnley were rarely troubled after the break as City's heart for the fight gradually evaporated.

The Clarets' enterprise was rewarded with a third goal in the 76th minute when a cross from Eagles was handled by Robins right-back Bradley Orr.

Alexander stepped up again to fire high into the net and Turf Moor erupted once more with four minutes remaining when Eagles' shot was saved by Basso and Gudjonsson tucked away the rebound with a close-range strike.

Teams

Burnley Jensen, Williams, Carlisle (McDonald 61), Caldwell,Kalvenes, Elliott (Gudjonsson 57), Alexander, McCann, Eagles,Paterson (Thompson 77), Blake.

Subs Not Used: Penny, Rodriguez.

Booked: Williams.

Goals: Alexander 42 pen, Elliott 44, Alexander 76 pen,

Gudjonsson 86.

Bristol City Basso, Orr, Fontaine, Skuse,McAllister (McCombe 80), Elliott, Johnson,McIndoe (Sproule 55), Iriekpen, Maynard (Williams 55), Adebola.

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Styvar.

Booked: McAllister, Elliott.

Att: 18,005

Ref: Clive Oliver (Northumberland).