Dartford and Nuneaton Town head into Saturday's encounter at Princes Park aware that it's win or bust for both of them regarding their immediate future in the Conference Premier.
It would take a remarkable set of results for either team to remain in the division, but a draw would see both clubs join AFC Telford United in losing their status in the top tier of non-League football.
Dartford
© Getty Images
After a slow start to the season, it appeared as though Dartford had turned a corner when they recorded points on a regular basis from September through to the middle of November.
However, the Darts have been unable to rediscover that form, and just three wins in 24 league fixtures have left the club almost certain to fall back into the Conference South next year.
One win and three draws in their last seven matches have left them with the smallest hopes of survival, but their demise will be confirmed unless they can register a first home win since November 11.
Twelve matches have passed by since that success, with the latest setback occurring against leaders Barnet on Easter Monday, but boss Tony Burman will perhaps take heart from his team only succumbing to a solitary goal.
Even if Dartford can beat Nuneaton, a trip to playoff-chasing Macclesfield Town still lies ahead, but the Kent-based outfit must concentrate on one game at a time as well as hope that Alfreton Town can lose their final three fixtures.
Recent form: LDLDDL
Nuneaton Town
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Ever since the first ball of the season was kicked, Nuneaton have languished in the bottom four of the Conference Premier table and their fate could be confirmed at 5pm on Saturday afternoon if they don't see off their hosts.
A run of results throughout February and March that included 15 points and six clean sheets from seven matches had suggested that a revival could take place, but their form has taken a turn for the worse over recent weeks to effectively leave them in a helpless position.
Defeats to Halifax Town, Barnet and Braintree Town respectively left Nuneaton six points from safety, but their situation worsened earlier this week when they were docked three points and fined £500 for fielding an illegible player during their win over Welling United on February 28.
It's a bitter blow to a club who have generally improved under the leadership of Liam Daish, but losing three points will be deemed irrelevant unless they can find seven points from their final three games.
Whether it's the Conference Premier or North for Nuneaton next season, Daish needs to ensure a strong finish to the season in order to begin preparations for what he will hope will be an improved effort next year, and with players keen to earn new contracts, there's no reason why that shouldn't happen.
They have been relatively solid in defence, conceding no more than two goals in a game since the turn of the year, but they need goals at the other end, and seven during the same period won't provide the club's supporters with any confidence of a miracle turnaround.
Recent form: DWWLLL
Team News
Dartford are expected to be without striker Jordan Chiedozie after he suffered an Achilles injury against Barnet earlier this week.
Reports have indicated that he could miss the rest of the season, so Andy Pugh could be drafted into the starting lineup in his place.
As for Nuneaton, boss Liam Daish is expected to act after witnessing his side fail to cause Braintree too much trouble in the final third in their last outing.
Striker Robert Ogleby could be replaced by Onome Sodje, while Jaanai Gordon, who is currently on loan from West Ham United, may be handed a start as he looks to make an impression before his return to Upton Park.
Dartford possible starting lineup:
Ibrahim, Driver, McAuley, Noble, Richards, Collier, Hayes, Dallison-Lisbon, Crawford, Harris, Pugh
Nuneaton Town possible starting lineup:
Crowcombe, Wheeler, Streete, Smith, Franklin, Sodje, Rees, Cowan, Gordon, Dawson, Walker
Head To Head
The head-to-head record between Dartford and Nuneaton only began during the 2012-13 season after both teams earned promotion to the top of the non-League pyramid from the Conference South and North respectively.
The first four matches between the two teams went in Nuneaton's favour, but each match contested was only decided by the odd goal.
However, earlier this season, Dartford finally won at the fifth time of asking when Elliot Bradbrook and Danny Harris netted two goals in the final 12 minutes to complete the turnaround at Liberty Way.
We say: Dartford 1-1 Nuneaton Town
With both clubs edging nearer the drop, only a win will do for either team, with a draw or defeat condemning either or both sides to relegation. However, we can see the two rivals cancelling each other out, leaving them cut adrift in the drop zone.
Darren Plant
