Manager John Sheridan says his side must be up for "a good scrap" to make the League One play-offs this season.

Athletic are hanging on inside the top six and face fellow promotion challengers MK Dons in a huge head-to-head at Stadium:MK tomorrow.

The Dons are handily-placed for an automatic promotion push and are looking to end a run of four consecutive draws.

Meanwhile Latics' aim will be to put last week's defeat to Colchester by seeing off yet another of the division's front-runners.

"We've let ourselves down at times and we have to look at that, but the most important thing is sticking together," Sheridan said.  "There's still a great opportunity to get where we want to go.

"I went to watch MK Dons in midweek and they are a very good footballing side.  They play some lovely football and if you let them dictate the game they will beat you.

"It's a great pitch and a great stadium and - touch wood - that should suit us.  I think this is a great game for us to play after the disappointment of Colchester."

He added: "There's some great games coming up and we must be ready for a good scrap to take out one or two of the teams around us.

"I've always said the final run-in will be very tight - it will go right to the wire and we must make sure we're in there."