No fear in play-off crunch for Dale

NO FEAR - it's a mantra that has served Rochdale well in the past and Jim McNulty will encourage his players to adopt the same approach tomorrow when they cross swords with Southend United.

- RICHARD PARTINGTON

The teams meet in the Vanarama National League play-off eliminator at the Crown Oil Arena with the winner progressing to the semi-final stage and a trip to Forest Green Rovers, who finished in third place.

Oldham are due to take on Halifax tonight in the other eliminator, with the winner going to York in the semi-final.

McNulty praised the work of Shrimpers counterpart Kevin Maher and the job he did in guiding the Roots Hall out to seventh place.

But McNulty is backing his side to advance.

"Southend have been in brilliant form, as have we," he said.