Robins seek sixth successive win to keep pressure on Second Division's top two

With Plymouth Argyle and Queen's Park Rangers enjoying a clear lead, automatic promotion already looks optimistic for most of the chasing pack in the Second Division. However, Danny Wilson's Bristol City have no plans yet to settle for the play-offs for a second successive year.

The Robins finished third last season but their hopes of a trip to the Millennium Stadium were dashed by Cardiff City. It was a disappointment Wilson would rather not face again and even though City are eight points behind second-placed QPR going into this weekend's programme, the former Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday manager believes his side can dodge the end-of-season lottery.

They travel to Hartlepool United today seeking a sixth successive victory, which would equal Wilson's best run as manager at Ashton Gate. But he feels it could be only the start of a sustained challenge.

"I would like to think we can win our sixth game in a row but more importantly I'd like to go between now and the end of the season unbeaten," he said. "There's nothing in the division that has scared us."

Wilson's men could have the chance to close the gap when they face Colchester at home as their game in hand next week. "All we can do is keep winning our games," Wilson said. "We need to keep the top two in reach."

Whether they can claw back any more ground this afternoon, however, remains to be seen. Plymouth, who have not conceded a goal in six League games, winning five of them, travel to struggling Stockport County.

QPR's trip to mid-table Bournemouth, looks less straightforward, particularly after a 4-0 midweek defeat at Southend in the LDV Vans Trophy.

Peter Taylor has signed his former Leicester City midfielder Lee Marshall to help Hull withstand the challenge from Doncaster Rovers and Oxford United at the head of the Third Division. Marshall moves from West Bromwich Albion on loan, having earlier turned down a similar switch to Bristol City, and goes straight into Taylor's party at Cheltenham today.

The only First Division action sees Bryan Robson's Bradford City side, who have lost four of their last five games at home, attempt to derail Crystal Palace's revival under Iain Dowie.