Notts County host MK Dons on Good Friday in a match that could have big implications at both ends of the Sky Bet League Two table.
The Magpies are looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat in Crewe last weekend with a victory that could see them move out of the relegation zone.
Prior to the loss at the Alexandra Stadium, Notts had strung together an impressive 3-0 victory away to Stevenage and a battling draw with Northampton at Meadow Lane.
Last week, their relegation rivals Yeovil and Macclesfield also tasted defeat, meaning the Magpies remain just two points from safety despite propping up the table.
MK Dons, on the other hand, are in the hunt for an automatic promotion spot and have been all season.
They’re currently one point off the pace and sit in fourth place, having lost their last two games.
Last time out they were beaten 2-1 at Tranmere, who are fifth, but they will hope to climb back into the top three with a positive result at Meadow Lane.
Ardley says…
"It's not about what you've done, it's what you do next and we need a response like the one we got after losing to Cheltenham.
"We've got to go out there and get positive results and put some points on the board in the next four matches - we need to rise to the occasion.
"MK Dons will come here looking to bounce back themselves and Paul TIsdale will want them to play the kind of football that has got them to the top end of the league.
"We have to draw on our performances against the teams up there because if we get our performance levels right, we can give anyone a game."
Tisdale says…
“With four games to go the stakes are high and we need results.
“I don’t think the match means any more to Notts County than it does to us – we’ll be looking to get six points from the weekend’s fixtures and so will they.
“My players need to be focused and competitive and I have to get the best out of them.
“It’s a tough time for us but we are training well and need to produce a performance that matches the skillset of the team we put out there.”
Team news
Notts have Ryan Schofield available for selection again following his one-match suspension.
Fellow stopper Ross Fitzsimons trained later in the week and is one of a few players to face a late fitness test, but Richard Duffy is likely to miss out with a groin problem sustained at Crewe.
MK Dons have a host of injury problems with Mitch Hankcox, Alex Gilby and Jordan Moore-Taylor all likely to miss the remainder of the season.
Bailey Cargill, Matthew Baldry and Joe Walsh are all still some way from a return but George Williams has trained well and isn’t far from getting back into action.
We’ve met before
Notts have won just once in the 15 meetings between the two sides – a 2-0 victory in 2010 thanks to late goals from Tom Ince and Lee Hughes.
The reverse fixture this season ended 2-1 to the Dons, with a controversial red card for Jamie Turley proving pivotal as they came from behind to earn the three points.
Lewis Alessandra opened the scoring in the first half but the dismissal and the penalty that followed shifted the balance, with Chuks Aneke converting from the spot before Rhys Healey netted the winner.
Elsewhere in League Two
Second-bottom Yeovil are level on points with Notts and travel to Crewe on Friday hoping to end their seven-match winless run.
Macclesfield, who are 22nd, are also on the road, heading to the PTS Academy Stadium to face Northampton – the Cobblers are five without victory.
Cambridge are eight points clear of the dropzone and can all but confirm their League Two status with a win at home to Swindon on Friday.
Dons fans will have their eyes on proceedings at the One Call Stadium, Rodney Parade and Prenton Park, where their promotion rivals are in action.
Third-placed Mansfield host Morecambe, Bury travel to Newport and Tranmere welcome Forest Green to Merseyside, with just three points separating second and fifth.
The afternoon’s officials
Referee: Tony Harrington
Assistants: Mark Pottage and Adam Matthews
Fourth official: Daniel Middleton