CRAY manager Ian Jenkins believes he has learnt his lesson from the previous play-off failure at the club.
The last time Cray Wanderers featured in the play-offs was three seasons ago and it ended in a disappointing semi-final defeat at Horsham.
Jenkins feels he has learnt from this experience and sees maintaining momentum as the key to winning promotion.
Saturday's game will be a massive test away at Tooting & Mitcham, who are currently one place and one point below Cray.
Tooting have promotion aspirations of their own and will be looking to end Cray's impressive league unbeaten run.
Jenkins said: "I've learnt not to tinker with the team as much as I did before when we got in the play-offs with four or five games to go and I rested players.
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"I want to go into the play-offs with a strong, solid side and on good form. I think the team who go into the play-offs on good form have got a better chance of going up."
Saturday's match will be a key indicator of Cray's promotion credentials as both teams sit comfortably within the play-off places.
Essentially the game will determine which team gets the strongest semi-final draw.
Jenkins explained: "Momentum is very important as no-one wants to be losing a big game before the play-offs as you'll then have to lift the players.
"I just want to keep the unbeaten run going.
"We're 28 league games unbeaten so it would be nice to keep this going. We're obviously going to go there and try and win it, but if we come away with a draw I'll be happy."
Jenkins feels despite both teams being placed in dominating league positions, nobody in the play-off shake up should be regarded as favourites.
He said: "Tooting aren't our biggest threat. Any team in the play-offs are worthy of being there so any team we play will be a tough game as it's a one-off.
"Their league position shows they are one of the better teams in the league but any team we get in the play-offs will be tough.
"I want to go into the play-offs unbeaten and hopefully continue it through to gain promotion."
Jamie Kempster and Michael Power are both struggling with hamstring injuries and will be rested on Saturday to ensure they are fit for the play-offs.
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