We visit Chesterfield tomorrow in front of the BT Sport cameras for a local derby in the Vanarama National League.
We’ve been in fine form of late - six matches unbeaten in all competitions, winning our last three – and will be hoping to extend that run at the Proact Stadium.
Victory against Torquay in our last league game took us into the play-offs for the first time this campaign, and we could climb to fourth if results elsewhere work in our favour this weekend.
Chesterfield, on the other hand, are 18th in the table and could find themselves in the relegation places prior to the 5.20pm kick-off.
After a slow start to the campaign, they’ve picked up in recent weeks, though, and have won three of their last four league games.
We’ve sold out the away end and both sides are in form, so it promises to be a cracker.
Assistant manager Neil Cox says…
“They’ve won their last two league games but we want to get three points and keep working towards the top of the table.
“Chesterfield will want to play football like we do – getting midfield players on the ball and the full backs to go forward.
“It’s similar to us so it’s about performing how we can and who wins the contest in both boxes.
“It’s another chance for us to get three points and it’ll be fierce, so we’ll have to keep battling like we have recently.”
Team news
With the exception of long-term absentee Jim O’Brien, Cox reported a clean bill of health when he met the media on Thursday.
Richard Brindley will hope to return to the starting line-up having dropped to the bench at the expense of Dion Kelly-Evans for the FA Cup win over Belper last week, while Mitch Rose will be in the same boat.
John Sheridan made six changes for Chesterfield’s cup clash with Wrexham last week and, following a defeat, may shuffle the pack once again.
Top scorer Mike Fondop-Talom was an unused substitute last time out and will hope to be included in the starting XI.
Head to head
Our last away win against the Spireites came in October 2011, when Ben Burgess and Alan Judge were on target before Craig Westcarr – who left us that summer – pulled one back, only for a Drew Talbot own-goal to complete the scoring and hand us a 3-1 victory.
Our most recent meetings came in League Two during the 2017-18 season, with Jorge Grant netting a brace as we were 2-0 winners at Meadow Lane, before we were beaten 3-1 at the Proact Stadium, where Kristian Dennis was on target for Chesterfield.
The officials
Referee: Andrew Miller
Assistants: Elliott Heward and Blake Antrobus
Fourth official: Scott Tallis
Around the division
LV BET, the National League’s official betting partner, highlight the pick of the fixtures this weekend...
Bromley v FC Halifax Town
The top two face each other on Saturday but both come into the game on the back of defeats.
FC Halifax Town are above Bromley by virtue of goal difference and boast the division’s best defensive record, conceding just 16 goals so far this season.
Bromley have lost three of their last four matches after opening the campaign with a 13-game unbeaten run.
Chorley v Yeovil Town
A win for third-placed Yeovil can take them to the top of the table if Bromley and FC Halifax Town draw on Saturday.
The Glovers have scored 29 times so far this campaign – a tally not bettered by anyone in the division.
Having only won one match all season, Chorley are second bottom, but they have drawn each of their last four fixtures and 10 of their 17 games to date.
Torquay United v Barrow
Three wins from their last four matches have lifted Torquay up to eighth in the table and just two points off the play-offs.
Along with Yeovil and their opponents, Barrow, the Gulls have scored a league-high 29 goals so far this campaign.
Barrow are the form side in the division and are bidding to make it eight consecutive wins in the National League, with their last defeat coming against Hartlepool United on 3 September.
Maidenhead United v Solihull Moors
Maidenhead ended a run of four league defeats when they beat Ebbsfleet United last time out, with top scorer Daniel Whitehall netting his seventh of the season.
Nine points from a possible 12 have lifted Solihull Moors to sixth in the table and they’ve conceded just 18 goals to date.