PAUL Hurst and Rob Scott's perfect play-off record could give Grimsby Town the edge when their battle for promotion resumes next week.
The Mariners complete their regular season programme when Newport County visit Blundell Park tomorrow (5.15pm).
With Justin Edinburgh's men assured of third-place and Town seemingly unconcerned by whether they finish fourth or fifth, the match appears to be a 'dead rubber.'
The co-managers are, therefore, turning their attentions to next week's play-off semi-finals, where their opponents could yet be Mansfield Town, Kidderminster Harriers or County themselves.
Whoever they face, few will be able to better the Town joint bosses' enviable play-off record, which has already seen them promoted twice in their short managerial careers.
Having taken Ilkeston Town and Boston United up from the Northern Premier League, and into the Conference North, Hurst believes those triumphs could stand the duo in good stead.
"It doesn't hurt to have that experience if you're going to be successful in the play-off semi-finals, and then get to the final," he told the Telegraph.
"It was a different set-up, with just one game in the semi-finals, but then we went through the two legs with the FA Trophy semi-final this season.
"We're still relatively young managers but that experience of playing those games could help.
"We've been to Wembley not so long ago as well, so some of that excitement about seeing the place for the first time has gone.
"That could be an advantage, but Wrexham have obviously been through that as well and Newport were there last year.
"In all the squads there are people who have won promotion and gone through the play-offs, which also comes into play – we've got Sam Hatton and Craig Disley.
"It's all good experience and I'm sure we can draw on it, but it's an even bigger prize that's at stake this time around."
