Neal Ardley 'relaxed' for AFC Wimbledon play-off semi-final tie against Accrington

Neal Ardley is the ninth-longest serving manager in the top four tiers, having been appointed AFC Wimbledon boss in October 2012

AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley is remaining relaxed ahead of their League Two play-off semi-final tie against Accrington Stanley, despite the chance of creating history with the club.

The Dons are bidding to reach the third tier for the first time since their formation in 2002.

Wimbledon host Stanley in the first leg of the tie on Saturday.

"I'm trying to take the attitude 'what will be, will be'," Ardley told BBC Radio London.

"We are trying to get the lads to write their own script. I am relaxed but at the same time focussed."

AFC Wimbledon are competing in the Football League play-offs for the first time, having won promotion to League Two via the Conference play-offs in 2010-11.

The Dons won six of their eight final league fixtures to secure a seventh-placed finish in the table.

"It has been a really strong finish and the boys have done the club proud," Ardley, 43, added.

"The players have taken on responsibility and got on with it."

Ardley made over 300 appearances for the old Wimbledon FC and is the ninth-longest serving manager in the top four tiers of English football.

He says his squad must be put in a good display against Accrington on Saturday, with the second leg at the Wham Stadium on Wednesday, 18 May.

"If we don't put in a high-level performance, and maybe get a slice of luck along the way, then we are not going to achieve our dreams," he said.

"You want to get as much as you can, and as good as a performance as we can, out of the first game. You can't pre-empt the second leg."