This is truly the "business end" of the season, as pundits and managers alike are so keen to speak of. This time next week the four lucky teams whose season will be extended will know their fate, and the mad rush for tickets will commence. City took great strides towards being one of those four teams with a stunning victory at bogey side Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday and know that if they better Stevenage's result against Northwich on Tuesday night a playoff berth will be guaranteed. Steve Basham once again limped off early on Saturday, but signs are that he will win a race against time to be fit for the visit of Stafford. Paul Tisdale, never one to shy away from tough decisions, brought Paul Jones into the side against Rushden having witnessed a series of errors in recent matches from Andy Marriott. Jones will hope to continue in goal having put in a fine display in Northamptonshire.

Having survived against the odds last season, Stafford's second season back in the top flight of non-league Football has been something of a disaster. Rarely out of the bottom two, the midlands club saw their relegation confirmed early on. There was the threat of a revival under new manager, Wolves legend Steve Bull, but this petered out, save for a magnificent 2-1 win away at Cambridge - a result that City will need to bear in mind if they are thinking this will be a stroll in the park.

Indeed, 2-1 to the visitors was the result of the corresponding fixture last season as City were undone by a late goal by the veteran Neil Grayson. Grayson is still around and playing despite being at an age where he should be donning slippers and walking with a stick (figuratively at least!). City's visit to Marston Road earlier this season yielded a thumping 5-1 win for the Grecians, and City will no doubt hope for more of the same on Tuesday night.