STOCKPORT keeper James Spencer knows better than most how important it is for the town that County retain their league status.

Jim Gannon's side need a win against League Two champions Carlisle at home tomorrow to guarantee survival.

And Spencer, who was born and raised in Stockport is determined they won't rely on other results for their escape.

He said: "When I was a youngster, I used to go to County with my dad, a policeman who used to patrol at the games.

"I think Stockport, which is a good family club, attracts a lot of youngsters for their first games and I think we all know how much it means to the town that we stay up. We've been playing well at home and I can't see why we can't get the win we need to stay up."

If County don't win they can still survive if Oxford don't beat Orient. A County draw could send Notts County, Barnet, Torquay or Macclesfield down if they don't win, not that Spencer wants to pin his hopes anyone else.

"There are various other results around the country that could keep us up, but there's no point us worrying about those," he added.

"If we stay up because of another team losing then fair enough but we'd like to have won to stay up.

"We don't really want to be crowding around a television set to see the other results coming in.

Boss Jim Gannon is anticipating a thrilling afternoon at Edgeley Park. He said: "It's been billed as the most important game in the club's history, but on the other side of that it could just be the best game.

Emotions

"You're not going to have as unique a set of emotions in any other game. The champions will be at one end of the pitch and well have the backing of our fans at the other end. It should be a tremendous atmosphere and the most amazing collection of feelings. I just hope it turn out positive for everybody."

Gannon has only one injury problem with defender David Beharall out with a hamstring strain. Rob Clare stands by.

Gannon added: "We need 11 big performances tomorrow. We've not had a problem getting goals at home where were playing with such passion and purpose.

"The great thing is were playing well, we've got goals in us.

"Carlisle are very disciplined and I wouldn't expect them to do us any favours. They will treat this game very professionally."

When Gannon came in as County manager after Christmas the club were five points adrift at the bottom and looked doomed to Conference football next season.

But since then they have picked up double the points tally for the first half of the season and have given themselves a real chance as the fans have acknowledged.

Gannon added: "I was opening an Aldi store on Thursday morning and a few fans came up to me looking as though they had lost a few nights' sleep, just giving me hugs and thanking me for what weve done and inspiring me to finish the job."

Last season: none

Key opponent: Glen Murray well be looking to add to his goal tally

Prediction: County 1 Carlisle 0

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You can get odds of 6/1 on County winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

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