Steve Cotterill will ignore City’s lowly league position as he looks to maintain his unbeaten start with Notts County.

Cotterill has overseen five wins and a draw since taking the County reins – after missing out to Peter Taylor at Valley Parade.

Cotterill was on the short-list to replace Stuart McCall. He was interviewed for the job hours before Taylor was appointed.

Instead, he became Notts County’s fourth different manager of the season and has maintained their charge towards promotion.

City have already accounted for Rochdale and Rotherham under Taylor and Cotterill is wary of avoiding making it a hat-trick of high-flying scalps tonight.

He said: “The form table is a more accurate indication of how a team is playing than the league.

“We’ve had a good start and have got to make sure we carry on. It’s down to the players to keep it up.

“Hopefully they can do that for another dozen games and everyone connected with the club can enjoy their day in the sun in May.”

The former Burnley chief is expected to name the same team that beat Crewe at Gresty Road to go second.

And he hopes that Luke Rodgers could still be available despite his red card for a late bust-up with Alex midfielder Ashley Westwood.

County, already missing Lee Hughes through suspension, have appealed against the little striker’s dismissal.

Cotterill said: “The report said he planted a forearm into someone’s face and kicked someone.

“It’s almost like defamation of character because he didn’t do that. I have watched it a million times.

“Justice should be done and he should get a yellow card for getting involved in a skirmish.”

Saturday’s victory at Gresty Road was their third 1-0 for Cotterill – and he believes County are showing title- winning form.

“I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or not but what I will say is that 3-2 victories win you cups and 1-0 wins win you leagues.”

County are 11 points adrift of Rochdale with two games in hand.