Phil Parkinson is backing City’s big-game nous to cope with the tension of Chesterfield tomorrow.

Up to 3,000 away fans will be roaring them on as the play-off chase heads towards its climax.

But having seen his side’s history-making progress in the Capital One Cup, Parkinson is confident they can cope.

“We’ve risen to the occasion many times this season and I know these lads will keep going to the very last kick of the final game.

“We are just relishing it. There’s a real buzz around the dressing room and the players are coming into good form – we have to make sure we can maintain that.

“Sometimes things go against you like the Southend game when we had a mad minute.

“But you do everything in your power to perform as well as you can. And if you do that, more times than not you’ll get the rewards in terms of the right result.”

The Spireites have won four of their last six games and sit four points behind City within touching distance of the play-offs.

Parkinson added: “Ches-terfield have had a really good run, similar to Bristol Rovers. I’ve seen a lot of them and they are obviously a decent side.

“They are still looking at the play-offs and with the runs we’ve both had and Exeter’s indifferent one, then it’s opened it up a little bit. It’s kept the season alive.”

City return to training today after Parkinson gave them an extra day off. The City chief has no qualms about their fitness levels.

“We’re giving the lads more rest at this stage than we would at any other part of the season.

“But they are looking strong physically, are confident in their own ability and focused in what they want to achieve.

“There’s nothing worse come the end of the season than looking round at the teams vying for play-offs or automatic promotion with something to play for and you’re either down the bottom under real pressure or stuck in mid-table obscurity.

“This is what we are in football for. We want to be in the mix.”

Parkinson has stuck with the same side during their three-match winning run and is unlikely to make a change.

Ricky Ravenhill was limping at the end on Tuesday but has recovered.

“Ricky is always going to pick up knocks being the type of player he is. He goes into more challenges than any other player on the pitch.”