Callum Roberts is determined to make up for his play-off heartache last season by driving Notts County to an emotional return to the Football League.
Roberts missed the entirety of the Magpies' promotion push last term which ended at the semi-final stage with a defeat at Torquay. The former Newcastle winger was back at home in the northeast as he recovered from injury, but has been in sensational form this term.
He hit his 16th goal of the campaign in the 1-0 win over Maidenhead at the weekend which booked a home quarter-final clash with Grimsby on Monday night. And the player dubbed the "Geordie Messi" by the fans is eager to make up for the frustration of being sat on the sidelines.
"Last year was tough to watch," he said. "It was great for the boys for what they did against Chesterfield, but to not be a part of that and the semis really hurt. I didn't travel with the team to Torquay because it was a long journey and I was back home.
"We don't really want to dwell on past situations because we can only go off on what is in front of us We've got the experience from last year, but with Grimsby being relegated last season it's going to be a big incentive for them to go up. Not many teams do that. They have a chance, but we will make it as hard as we can for them."
Tickets are continuing to fly for the much-anticipated showdown against the Mariners with both sides having registered a win over each other this term. Notts beat Paul Hurst's side 1-0 early in the season but Grimsby gained revenge by sealing a 2-1 win at Meadow Lane.
It was one of only two defeats that Notts have suffered at home in the league this season with the other being a shock loss against Woking. But Roberts feels with Meadow Lane bursting to the rafters, he feels they can use a deafening atmosphere to their advantage.
"They are going to be the 12th man for us," he said. "When we've had big numbers at home this season, we've really performed. It would help if we can get more in through the gates again."
Grimsby boss Paul Hurst, however, feels that playing away from home could be an advantage.
"You would think so, it's a pressure game for both teams," Hurst told Grimsby Live. "We'll both be hoping there is another game after that and ideally two. You have to deal with that. Sometimes the home crowd, it's a big crowd and if it's not going your way, they can get edgy. "I'm sure there will be a scramble for those tickets but that gives us a good following and it was certainly one of the fans' favourite days of the season when we won at Notts County. It should be a cracking atmosphere."
