Going into their last 11 games of the season, Torquay United need to win at least six or seven of their remaining fixtures to remain in the Vanarama National League.
The Gulls currently have 27 points and require another 23 to realistically clinch their survival and a repeat of the form that they showed Ian Atkins in the 2005-06 season, when they defeated Macclesfield Town, Wrexham, Stockport County and eventual champions Carlisle United before an academic goalless draw on the final day of the season against Boston United made their League Two status mathematically certain, would go a long way to helping their cause.
50 points is usually a yard-stick for ensuring that a National League team retains their divisional status, but given that many teams have to play each other - including United - a slightly lower figure just might be enough.
But what of their relegation rivals who are still catchable?
In past seasons when the Gulls have battled against the drop there have been several teams who have gone down after being dragged into a relegation scrap later on in the campaign. Lincoln City in the 1986-87 season, Barnet in 2000-01 and Oxford United in the aforementioned 2005-06 campaign spring to mind as teams who have been sucked into trouble at dangerous times.
Whisper it quietly but Maidstone United could potentially fall into that category, as they are currently searching for their first league win since they defeated the Gulls at Plainmoor last November, and haven't tasted victory in their previous 17 fixtures.
The Stones, managed by Jay Saunders, are still to host United at the Gallagher Stadium and still have 'six-pointers' against Solihull Moors, Hartlepool United, Guiseley, Chester FC and FC Halifax to come as well. They will also have to face promotion contenders Macclesfield, Wrexham and Sutton United as well.
Hartlepool's off-the-field problems have been well documented this season and despite settling an outstanding tax bill with HMRC, their long term future remains uncertain. The Pools recently departing company with manager Craig Harrison and have only won once in their last 13 matches. They also have to play the Gulls, as well as other relegation fighters Maidstone, Guiseley and Solihull Moors - and not to mention a final day trip to Tranmere Rovers, who could be still vying for the title by that point.
FC Halifax have also been in poor form and have only tasted victory once in their last ten fixtures. They have to travel to Torquay and Maidstone in April and also have to face other 'six-pointers' in the form of clashes with Guiseley, Solihull as well as promotion candidates Sutton, Boreham Wood and Tranmere.
And Barrow, who lost 3-1 to the Gulls at Plainmoor last month, have only won one of their last eight matches - but have only lost twice having drawn five in that sequence. The Bluebirds also have to meet fellow strugglers Chester FC (on the final day of the campaign), as well as still to be rearranged postponed fixtures with Hartlepool and Guiseley. Title challengers Macclesfield and Aldershot also await them.
Of course if United have shown they can produce spells of results - their recent mini-run, which included a draw with Macclesfield, followed by wins over Barrow and Maidenhead United which were followed by back-to-back defeats againsr Dagenham & Redbridge and Sutton, shows they can win games, but a greater level of consistency will be required between now and the end of April.
