Sunday Show Will Come With Some Extra Title Sparkle

Torquay United’s fate may be back out of their hands after dropping points against Bromley, and leaders Sutton United’s lack of stage fright.

Stockport County, in third, say they are in charge of their own destiny, despite their championship chances being hit.

Manager Simon Rusk says if they keep their unbeaten run going, then there will be no stopping them - even if it’s got to be via the play-offs.

Torquay still feel first place is within their sights but know one last twist needs to come if its to happen.

Defeat here, however, would be an unthinkable set-back to their challenge.

Yes, they need favours to reel in the Londoners but manager Gary Johnson has told us he is enjoying every kick off this relentless title race.

“I love being involved in it, you’ve got to be in the race,” the experienced boss said ahead of the live BT Sport game at Edgeley Park.

“You want to enjoy going up - but going up via the play-offs is all too precarious for me! But until that happens, I’ll just keep going and I’ll just try to keep getting back on top.

“Is it good for me health? Well, all these years in football probably isn’t!

“I’m still as keen as ever, I can still have a bit of a go at the lads when they need it, and put their arms around them as well.

“There’s certainly still that respect there, from me to them and them to me.

“That keeps you going - we’ve got players who can be motivated, they can have the odd bad game every now and again but they’ve still got that desire.

“It could do down to the last day still. You’re talking about nine points still to play for.

“We’ve got good character and we’ll keep going, that’s for sure.”

Stockport County haven’t lost since Sutton came up and snuck out with a 2-0 win back in early February.

Manager Rusk has had a big impact, even if ultimately perhaps they haven’t got the wins it may need for them to overhaul the table toppers.

They aren’t giving up but the former Brighton coach knows how good his team have been since he arrived.

“I told the players let’s not forget we’re 15 unbeaten,” he said after Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge.

“We need to focus on what has been excellent about our game - and a lot has been excellent - and that’s important.

“We are a resilient team and we are a resilient group.

“We probably need to focus on the context that we're in a good place, doing a lot of good things, and we take that into Sunday now.

“It’s almost the perfect bounce back game, because it’s a big one. It’s too teams who have been really solid.

“It will be a fine margins games and we can’t wait for it. Our destiny is still in our hands regarding getting out of this division.

“We can’t make the run we’re on a heavy burden on our back. The history and the run is all well and good but we can’t we can’t protect it all all costs.

“It’s about risk and reward and also about being proud of what we’re doing. There’s a lot to look forward to ahead of us.”

Paddy Madden rolled his ankle in the defeat and Rusk will keep an eye on the situation.

“It’s a blow losing Paddy at half-time, he felt it so we took him off,” the manager said.

“We didn’t want to take any chances on him but we’ll have to assess things and see how he is.

“Hopefully it’s not too serious.”

PHOTOS BY PINNACLE AND MIKE PETCH