Big night for Notts

All but one of the five fixtures in League Two tonight contain a side, or two sides in the battle, alongside Notts, to stay in the Football League.

McParland... Will be looking at tonight's action closely

Accrington Stanley, Dagenham & Redbridge, Mansfield Town, Bury and Wrexham, are all in action as the battle to avoid the drop hots up.

Come 21:30 tonight, several Magpies will be hoping that, as the full-time whistles come in, Notts' state in the table will not be too affected. If it goes horribly wrong, Notts could end the night just five points off bottom spot, three points off second bottom with a game more played, four points off the place above them and six off 17th.

With McParland's men currently 20th, five points above the drop zone, that would represent a terrible night in what is becoming an awful season in the history of the club.

In fairness, that would take a Stanley side with shocking home form beating mid-table Brentford at the Fraser Eagle, the Daggers defeating second-placed Hereford, Mansfield triumphing over another rival in the form of Bury at Field

Dearden... Could pull Notts back

Mill where they have lost their last five, and rock bottom Wrexham overturning fourth-placed Peterborough United.

Stranger things have happened.

The best results for Notts would obviously see them all defeated - but what about in the Stags, Shakers match up? With both below Notts, surely a draw would be best for Notts.

Most certainly not. Now it is all about making sure there are two worse teams in the division, and so with Mansfield lower than Bury, and currently in the relegation places, a Bury win is best for Notts - even if that means them leapfrogging the Magpies in the table.

Even though McParland insists it is all about Notts looking after themselves, it will surely also come down to the results of others.

And tonight couldn't be a bigger first step.