Magpies geared-up for six-pointer

This season's Notts County side have rarely played easy-on-the-eye football, but there can be no question that fewer teams have covered so many league positions inside a season.

After sitting at the top of the pile in September, could it really be conceivable that the Magpies will be in the bottom two come the season's end?

That is the collective thought that hit most Notts fans after their team's 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Barnet last weekend.

A good start and an excellent January should still be enough to save Gudjon Thordarson's team from the drop, but a defeat against Macclesfield tomorrow would send panic-waves throughout the club.

Notts are currently five points clear of the bottom two, but remain six places clear of the bottom two.

They are behind tomorrow's opposition only on goal-difference, meaning a win for either team would all-but secure survival.

Gudjon: Survival mission

Thordarson's men have five games remaining this season including the clash against the Silkmen, but few will hold out hope of gaining anything from Monday's trip to league-leaders Carlisle.

So - from being seen as a dead rubber clash two weeks ago - the match against Macclesfield is now one of the season's most important.

Dropping out of the Football League is unthinkable, but should Notts allow Brian Horton's side to gain only their second away victory of the season tomorrow afternoon - it would be a distinct possibility.

Thordarson, though, will look to gain inspiration from a series of positive news stories stemming from Meadow Lane this week as he looks to guide his team to its first win since mid-January.

David Pipe's admission today that he would like to stay with the Magpies beyond the summer followed Thordarson's statement that he is close to finalising new deals with 'two or three' of his key players.

Maybe Kevin Pilkington will have someone to join him on pre-season training yet.

Couple the sudden upturn in the contract situation with the forward-thinking announcement of free season ticket prices for under-11's and tomorrow's game also becomes one that can make or break what has been an excellent week.

Thordarson will be without customary absentees Eugene Dadi and Noe Sissoko for the game, while a decision will be made on Rob Ullathorne (hamstring), with Dan Martin poised to deputise if neccesary.

Daniel Chillingworth and Steve Scoffham are likely to continue in attack, while 16-year-old winger Stef Frost will hope to make his first-team debut from the substitutes bench.

Despite still being a first-year scholar, Frost - along with fellow 16-year-old Bobby Wilson - is rated as the best prospect in the club's academy and has impressed with a string of impressive showings in the reserves.

Notts (possible): Pilkington; O'Callaghan, Baudet, Edwards, Ullathorne; Pipe, Crooks, Doyle, Palmer; Scoffham, Chillingworth.

Subs (from): Marshall, Martin, Friars, Needham, Frost, Long, McMahon, Sheridan, White.