Pace's men trail fifth-from-bottom Alty by 10 points and urgently need to close that yawning gap by beating their Moss Lane neighbours to give themselves an outside chance of staying up.
Even eternal optimist Pace now admits it could be curtains for Droylsden if they fail to overcome the resurgent Robins, who are currently on course for survival after collecting eight points from their six games since the turn of the year.
But, buoyed by successive home wins against Kidderminster in the league and Farsley in the Setanta Shield on Tuesday, Pace remains adamant Droylsden have it in them to sink Alty and go on to find an unlikely route to safety.
"We have to beat Alty, it's as simple as that, but we're certainly capable of doing so," he said.
"I've said all along we won't go down and nothing that's happened to us so far has altered that view.
"It's a case of getting the lads to believe in themselves and, if we can drag ourselves back to within seven points of Alty, with a game in hand, anything's possible."
Altrincham, too, had a boost in midweek when they beat Vauxhall Motors to reach the final of the Cheshire Senior Cup.
Manager Graham Heathcote is quick to stress that tomorrow's game is simply the latest in a series of critical ones for his rejuvenated side.
Nevertheless, he knows that victory over Droylsden, followed by another against Farsley on Tuesday, would leave Alty looking highly likely to preserve their status as members of non-League football's top-flight.
Meanwhile, fellow strugglers Northwich continue their battle to beat the drop with the visit of Salisbury.
Blue Square North promotion hopefuls Hyde United have a key home derby date with rock-bottom Leigh, while Stalybridge, who lie immediately above the Tigers in sixth place, visit high-flying Harrogate.
Runaway UniBond premier pacesetters Witton take a break from league action to host Gateshead in the League Challenge Cup quarter-finals.
Curzon Ashton will be looking to return to the top of UniBond first division north with victory over visiting Chorley.
Salford City and Trafford similarly aim to stay on the Vodkat League title trail with home wins over Congleton and Ramsbottom.
FC United's UniBond League President's Cup quarter-final at Nantwich has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
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