ALAN Marriott knows a thing or two about reaching the play-offs – if not winning them.

For five consecutive seasons between 2002-03 and 2006-07, the goalkeeper made it through to the end-of-season showdown as part of a talented Lincoln City squad.

Twice he had the honour of playing at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, where just one game stood between the Imps and promotion to League One from League Two.

But it never happened for Marriott and Lincoln as they remained in the Football League's basement division.

Mansfield still have a way to go yet if they are to even figure in this season's Blue Square Premier play-offs, as the finale to the season approaches on the horizon.

With 11 games left, they are fighting it out with the likes of Rushden, Luton, Kettering, York and AFC Wimbledon for a place in the top five.

But despite what has transpired in the past, Marriott is still keen to pits his wits in games that are played out in a pressure-cooker atmosphere.

And, of course, the ambition of sealing a much sought-after promotion still burns bright.

"We have got a good mixture of everything in our squad, so we do have the credentials to make the play-offs and compete in them," said Marriott.

"We have got experienced players like Ryan Williams and myself who have been there and done it before.

"Those games can be a carnival atmosphere and it is important for players to keep their heads and not get carried away.

"It's a fantastic buzz for players and also a stage where they can impress and earn moves to a higher level if they play well.

"They are one-off games and anything can happen in them, although I think some of the lads think I'm a bad luck omen after what's happened to me in the past!

"Some of the players might not have experienced it yet, but it is what every player is in the game for – to play in those big matches.

"But there is still a long way to go before we can even contemplate that because we have a lot of hard work to do just to get into the play-offs.

"It's certainly all to play for now."

Mansfield's position in the table has been severely affected this week following the expunging of Chester City's record after they were kicked out of the league and then wound up in the High Court.

The Stags were two points off the play-off spots until their points tally was reduced by six after 1-0 and 4-0 wins over the Blues were deleted.

It took them from two points off the play-off places to six through no fault of their own.

Even so, Marriott is still disappointed the Stags are not higher up the table.

He said: "At the start of the season I wouldn't have been happy with the position we are in.

"I would have said with the squad we have we should have been in the play-offs.

"We have contributed to our own downfall by being a bit sloppy in games away from home.

"But sometimes it's good to come out of nowhere and make a late challenge.

"It can make you feel confident and indestructible."

Another frustration for Marriott has been his lack of clean sheets.

He had hoped for a ratio of 50 per cent over the course of this season, but has kept just one since the turn of the year – a 0-0 home draw with Luton.

"When I first came to the club last season I prided myself on clean sheets, so this season has been very disappointing," said Marriott.

"If you can keep teams out it puts down a benchmark and shows teams they are going to have to work hard to score against you.

"We've been a bit unlucky recently at the back, but I'm looking now to finish the season on a high."

Tamworth travel to Field Mill today having already won 2-0 there in the FA Trophy.

Marriott said: "I've been quite impressed with them. (Tom Shaw) is a good player and Iyseden Christie has shown he can be a handful.

"They are not a team to underestimate. But if we have play-off aspirations, these are the games we need to win."