Grant McCann admitted the task ahead for him is to keep his players calm after Doncaster put themselves within touching distance of promotion with a 3-0 win over Colchester.
Goals from Harry Clifton, Jordan Gibson and Patrick Kelly saw Rovers power into top spot in League Two.
It means a victory over promotion rivals Bradford this weekend will see them promoted to League One but McCann is determined such status has no impact on the preparation of his team.
“There’s no point in hiding it – everyone knows what happens if we win on Saturday,” he said. “But it’s my job to keep the lads calm, ready and focused on what we need to do.
“It’s just onto the next one for us, and that’s Bradford on Saturday. We’ve not felt any pressure because we’ve always tried to stick to focusing on the next game and that is what we’ll do again for this weekend.
“We’ve got to get some rest into the boys, some good work and most importantly make sure we get the game plan right. I watched Bradford last week and they’re a very good team.
“It’s going to be a tough test and we’ve got to make sure we stand up to that.
“Hopefully we’ve peaked at the right time. Over this Easter period we’ve been good. Two clean sheets, six goals, against two form teams – I’m really pleased.”
Colchester manager Danny Cowley was left counting the cost of a difficult afternoon with Jamie McDonnell joining his lengthy injury list along with Owura Edwards’ suspension after being sent off for two bookable offences.
But as Colchester look to claw their way back into a play-off place, Cowley insists they will not give up the fight.
“For us, I thought a lot went against us,” he said. “We’re running out of players, which is the truth.
“We played really well for a long period against a team that is now top of this division. We had really good control from it going to 2-0 through to when Owura was sent off.
“Jamie McDonnell was carrying an ankle injury from Friday’s game but he thought he was going to be all right because he’s as tough as it comes.
“Over the weekend, losing Lyle Taylor and Jack Payne, two players in the same position, it makes it tough.
“We’ve still found ways of winning without key players. It’s not a time to feel sorry for ourselves, it’s time for us to dig deep.
“We’re going to give it a right go. It’s taken a huge effort to get us to here and we’ll dust ourselves down to respond in a really positive way.”
Jim Goodwin paid tribute to his dogged Dundee United side following the 2-1 comeback win over Aberdeen which clinched fourth place and a European spot.The Terrors, who returned to the William Hill Premiership this season, had lost their four post-split matches going into the final fixture against the Dons, who were two points ahead and looking in fine fettle when Danish attacker Jeppe Okkels score...
Barry Ferguson was left infuriated by one of the worst decisions he has ever seen and called for the introduction of goal-line technology after Rangers were on the wrong end of a pivotal first-half call in their season-concluding 2-2 draw away to Hibernian.With Gers leading through an early Cyriel Dessers strike, Nico Raskin looked to have put them two ahead in the 15th minute but Hibs defender Ro...
AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson believes the toughness of his side has driven them to the League Two play-off final after they defeated Notts County 1-0 at Plough Lane.An early strike by Josh Neufville gave the Dons a 2-0 aggregate victory that was as deserved as it was hard-earned.The South London outfit have not let in a goal in the last three games, and further demonstrated why their defe...
Dundee United clinched a European place after leapfrogging Aberdeen into fourth place in the William Hill Premiership with a stunning 2-1 comeback win.Danish attacker Jeppe Okkels scored his first goal for the Dons since signing on loan from Preston in January after 15 minutes with the visitors controlling the game.United gradually came back into it and in the 56th minute defender Declan Gallagher...
Rangers were left to lament a contentious first-half moment as they ended a largely dispiriting William Hill Premiership campaign with a 2-2 draw away to Hibernian.Second-placed Gers went ahead early on through top scorer Cyriel Dessers and felt they should have doubled their lead in the 15th minute when Nico Raskin looked to have forced the ball over the line. However, play was waved on and Hibs ...
James Forrest gave Celtic fans the finale they craved as he equalised in stoppage time against St Mirren to extend his run of scoring for the club to 16 consecutive seasons.Forrest left it until the league season was 38 games old to get off the mark on a day when he was chosen to deliver the William Hill Premiership trophy to his team-mates ahead of Callum McGregor lifting it for the fourth year r...
AFC Wimbledon secured their place in the League Two play-off final as they defeated Notts County 2-0 on aggregate.An early strike by Josh Neufville gave the south London side a 1-0 second-leg victory at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.The Dons will face Walsall at Wembley on Monday, May 26 for a place in League One.With veteran striker David McGoldrick ruled out because of injury, and Alassana Jatt...
David Martindale believes the pressure is off his Livingston side after they booked their place in the Premiership play-off final with a comfortable victory over Partick Thistle.The Lions progressed 4-0 on aggregate, securing a second 2-0 win with Jamie Brandon’s opener added to by Stevie May’s stunning half-volley.They will now face either Dundee or Ross County over two legs, with the...
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca pointed to Marc Cucurella’s Barcelona connections after the defender headed the only goal against Manchester United to keep his side’s Champions League hopes in their own hands.The 26-year-old got on the end of Reece James’ cross in the 71st minute to power home his seventh goal of the season and rescue the Blues just as two vital points looked to ...
Walsall boss Mat Sadler said guiding the Saddlers to a play-off final is the proudest moment of his footballing career after they completed a 4-1 aggregate win over Chesterfield.Late goals from Charlie Lakin and Levi Amantchi – with an Armando Dobra consolation for the Spireites in between – earned Walsall a 2-1 victory on the night.And it provided a measure of redemption for a side wh...
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