City hit the road for the first time in 2006 with the message: Don't be so quick on the draw.

Ten of their 26 league matches so far have finished in stalemate, including the last two against Scunthorpe and Brentford.

And Colin Todd fears his side's play-off hopes could be submerged by a deluge of draws.

That's why he is targeting a fifth away win at Chesterfield tomorrow, the seventh-placed side who have drawn their last eight games.

"The odd draw is okay but you

cannot afford to have too many," said Todd.

"We've had ten so far and if five of them had been wins, that extra ten points would put us second in the table.

"I've been studying the facts and the good thing this year is that no teams have disappeared over the hill. Last season Hull had 56 points at this stage and Luton 54 - at the moment, Southend are top with 46.

"The significant thing is that

everyone is that close and there will probably be teams below us who think they can still get in the play-offs. But we all know the importance of putting wins together."

City currently sit five points off the top six and their resources are stretched for the trip to Saltergate. Mark Bower is suspended, Richard Edghill and Steve Schumacher injured while Andrew Taylor is no longer at the club.

Damion Stewart replaces Bower and Darren Holloway is expected to shake off a slight ankle injury to continue at right back.

Holloway, who was likely to train again today, is keen to banish a nightmare first half of the season which saw three red cards.

"It has been a shock to me because in the past I've rarely got sent off," he said. "But I will always compete because that's how I've always played.

"I started the season feeling really well after a good pre-season but getting sent off in the Southend game knocked me back ten-fold.

"Then the one at Forest and the longer suspension did me no favours at all and the last one in the reserves was down to pure frustration.

"I definitely deserved that one because I was like a bear with a sore head. But it's good to be back playing now and hopefully I'll get a run.

"I know it will take me a couple of games to get up to full fitness."

Todd is still hopeful of bringing in an attacking midfielder after his meeting with chairman Julian Rhodes yesterday. But that could hinge on whether Notts County snap up Lee Crooks.

Todd said: "I think it's still an on-going situation. There is that strong interest but we'll have to see if progress can be made."

Youngster Jake Wright, who spent three months on loan at Halifax, will not be allowed to go back. With Taylor gone, he is needed as cover for Lewis Emanuel at left back.