Notts ready for promotion-defining 'shootout' - Maynard

Stuart Maynard took charge of Notts County in January 2024

Automatic promotion-chasing Notts County are in a "shootout" for final day glory against League Two title hopefuls Doncaster Rovers, says Magpies boss Stuart Maynard.

Notts need to beat already-promoted Doncaster and have results elsewhere go their way to snatch a third-placed finish to go up this weekend.

"Saturday is like a cup final," Maynard told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"We just have to take care of our own business. We know what is required, we have to win on Saturday to give ourselves that opportunity

"It is kind of a shootout.

"It has that feeling about it because of what is at stake. They can win the league if they beat us and if we win, and results go our way, then we can get automatic promotion, so it has that feeling about it that it is a one off game."

Notts are in with a last-gasp chance of sealing promotion during the regular season after spending the past 11 weeks outside the automatic promotion spots.

With one game to do, Maynard's side are two places and three points behind third-placed Bradford City.

It means that beating Doncaster will not be enough to get the Magpies up.

Notts will also need Bradford to lose against Fleetwood Town and fourth-placed Walsall to drop points against Crewe Alexandra to make it possible on goal difference.

"It is a little bit frustrating that we are relying on others and that it's out of our hands, but we know what our task is and we are ready to go," Maynard said,

"I have a real belief in this group. They keep fighting until the end, keep believing, and we have seen that all season.

"When we have lost a couple of games they have always responded and bounced back in big games and got big results."

Maynard, who is in his first full season in charge of Notts, say the game is the biggest in his career and brings with it an overriding feeling of "excitement".

What he demands of his players on Saturday is their "A game".

When asked what final words he will likely say to his players before they walk out onto at Meadow Lane in front of a packed crowd, Maynard said: "Go out there and leave nothing on the pitch."