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15:17 GMT, Monday, 28 April 2008 16:17 UK

Downing appeal to Cheltenham fans

Keith Downing

Cheltenham manager Keith Downing is calling for one last push from Robins supporters to help fill Whaddon Road for Saturday's game against Doncaster.

"They'll all have an opinion or a grumble about the club or whatever," Downing told BBC Radio Gloucestershire. "But I just need them for that day to get behind us as they always do."

The Robins are not yet safe from the drop from League One, while Doncaster, going for automatic promotion, have sold all 1,600 of their tickets.

"I need everyone to have a massive week now, to drum up some support," added Downing. "The players are really keen to try and keep this job finished. I've worked for six months now and I'm not going to throw that away too easily."

The Robins still need a win to be safe from relegation, following Bournemouth's remarkable run of six straight victories.

But the rejuvenated Cherries, 14 points adrift of safety a month ago, now face a daunting trip to fourth-placed Carlisle. And Gillingham, also needing a win to stand any chance of surviving, face an equally stern test at another promotion-chasing side Leeds.

But a win for the Robins at Whaddon Road would keep Cheltenham up no matter what happens elsewhere. And Downing admits that he will have to do some work on the mental side after Saturday's fourth defeat in a row at Oldham - a victory earned cruelly just three minutes from time.

"That will affect psychologically confidence et cetera," said Downing. "But I'm saying to the players whatever way you look at it, it's still the same situation on Saturday.

"It's going to be exciting. We'll need every bit of support we possibly can."

Defender Andy Gallinagh is unlikely to play a part against Doncaster, after straining a hamstring in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Boundary Park.



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Related to this story:

Oldham 2-1 Cheltenham (26 Apr 08 |  League One )
Crewe 3-1 Cheltenham (19 Apr 08 |  League One )
We can handle a dogfight - Duff (15 Apr 08 |  Cheltenham )
A win will keep us up - Downing (14 Apr 08 |  Cheltenham )
Cheltenham 1-2 Walsall (12 Apr 08 |  League One )

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