Northampton Town v Doncaster Rovers: Visitors aim to seal L1 deal - and maintain high April standards under Grant McCann
IN Grant McCann's second stint at the club, Doncaster Rovers have lost just two games out of 17 during the calendar month of April.
The Rovers chief will need no reminding that the defeats occurred over the recent Easter programme.
It was a rare aberration. His side got back on message against Reading last weekend.
Should Doncaster prevail at relegated Northampton today, then their League One status will be virtually assured for another season.
Depending on other results, they might not need to win to be safe, but Rovers still have high standards to keep at this time of year in McCann's third season back at the club. There's also the 22-game league table, of course.
On Rovers hopefully finishing with a flourish once more, assistant manager Cliff Byrne said: "Yes, it has been (like that) over recent seasons.
"We have shown the energy and fitness levels around the place and that levels of performance do grow and grow throughout the season. We're hoping that goes and sustains itself for the next four games."
Doncaster's ability to win games by narrow one-goal margins have been a key trait of their post-Christmas renaissance.
While their goal difference is not great, largely thanks to heavy defeats against the likes of Cardiff, Wycombe, Leyton Orient and Exeter, their skill in finding a way in a number of tight games explains their buffer above the drop zone.
Byrne added: "We've learned sharply in this season. I'm not going to come away from the games where we've been beaten three and four at times as well, where you don't manage the moments in the games.
"But what's been really pleasing from the group is they've shown that endeavour and willingness to live and learn from when you do lose games and how you lose them.
"What do we do when we're next in this scenario? The group has grown in terms of that, with their experience and the moments on the pitch, where they manage that a lot better.
"As staff, you give them the game plan, roles and responsibilities, but ultimately things can change quickly on the pitch against various teams. The boys have shown real good growing signs and developing signs with that this year."