Former Chesterfield assistant boss Alan Knill was appointed at Gigg Lane with the task of stopping a massive rot.
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His first game saw defeat at the hands of Sockport on Tuesday and already he is embroiled in must-win games.
Tuesday also saw Lincoln climb further from troube.
Peter Jackson was flung onto a relegation scrap himself back in October and has hauled the Imps clear with five wins in their last seven.
Number Two Neil McDonald parted company to take on a coaching role at Elland Road to leave City a tad frail.
The war of words have started already as the season hits its climax.
Managers around the division are talking up their play-off hopes as the busy period of calculating how many points you are adrift of the top seven begins.
It's a pity for Notts that it may be a bridge too far for the Magpies.
Game of the day: Chester v Accrington Stanley
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This weekend sees the coming together of two of the divisions struggling sides of late.
Chester have gone nine league games without a win and have slid from play-off contention to 15th in the table.
The visiting Stanley are just above trouble in 17th after a run of six without a win.
These sides met just over a month ago and produced one of the games of the season although neither side claimed the win.
A double for Chris Holroyd was enough to earn the Blues an entertaining 3-3 darw at Accrington.
With much more at stake now, this time around may not produce any fireworks but its result could prove vital.
Defeat could drag one of these sides into relegation concerns, while a win will see them back into the possible comforts of midtable.
This game is also an interesting one for Notts who are four points adrift of
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Chester could be boosted by the fallen through deal of dangerous winger Kevin Ellison who was due to move to Stockport this week.
The deal fell at the last hurdle meaning the influential wide man could be at the Deva for the rest of the season.
Chester will need to improve on home form if they are to stop a further rot.
The Blues have been beaten eight times already on home turf and have fallen down the ladder just as they did last term.
Elsewhere...
Wrexham have turned the form book on its head with wins over MK Dons and Darlington - they face a test to overcome fourth placed Peterborough this weekend.
Posh have become the entertainers of the division this season knocking in goals for fun while Brian Little is slowly assmebling a side capable of retaining its League Two status.
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Lee Frecklington is back in the frame for the Imps after a spell on the sidelines.
The youngster was on the scoresheet when the sides met at Spotland and returns for the Sincil Bank clash.
Dale will be without striker Glenn Murray who has left for Championship club Brighton.
MK Dons have a golden chance to stretch their lead at the top of the fourth tier.
They take on third placed Rotherham who are just eight points adrift with a game in hand.
MK nicked the points at Millmoor last time out but United will be hoping for revenge this time around.
Full fixture list:
Bradford v Bury
Brentford v Shrewsbury
Chester v Accrington Stanley
Darlington v Barnet
Grimsby v Chesterfield
Hereford v Dagenham and Redbridge
Lincoln v Rochdale
MK Dons v Rotherham
Morecambe v Macclesfield
Peterborough v Wrexham
Stockport v Notts County
Wycombe v Mansfield