Division Two: Notts County v Burnley - Pete Oliver's big match preview

NOTTS County entertain Burnley at Meadow Lane tomorrow as one of the form sides of the Second Division after roaring out of the relegation places.

A 2-1 defeat at Fulham on February 20 left County second from bottom of the table and facing an instant return to Division Three.

But a run of five wins and a draw in seven games has since lifted Sam Allardyce's men to 16th-place.

The Magpies flight from the danger zone - they are five points above the relegation places and three points better off than the Clarets - has been built around a new-look attack.

Allardyce moved into the transfer market to recruit four strikers in Peter Beadle (Port Vale), Mark Stallard (Wycombe), Gerry Creaney (St Mirren) and Kevin Rapley (Brentford).

And the County boss has managed to successfully juggle his resources by using ex-Burnley loan man Creaney in midfield and currently keeping Rapley champing at the bit on the bench. Defensively County, who sold right-back and skipper Ian Hendon to Northampton Town for £30,000 on transfer deadline day, have not been so successful with clean sheets thin on the ground.

They have leaked 53 goals this term, compared with Burnley's 68, and it's 52 games since they were involved in a 0-0 draw.

With Burnley not keeping a clean sheet since January 2, it would be a brave man to stake much on a goalless draw tomorrow.

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