Top scorer Jon Parkin says the team need to get their heads down and win at all costs on Saturday against Scunthorpe United; three points that would all but ensure their Championship status.
The Barnsley-born target-man has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season, but his last goals came in the win over Cardiff City at Deepdale at the end of February. That win was one of eight unbeaten at home, although five of those have ended all-square, something Parkin finds a disappointment.
"We got to the Play-Offs last year mainly because of our home record and it had not been as good this year, which is disappointing," he told PNE.Com.
"We haven't lost many games, but we've drawn too many. Recently on two occasions we've been 2-0 up and cruising and so it is disappointing that we have not been getting the results we've been used to.
"It's frustrating, because with the players we've got, we shouldn't be looking over our shoulders, but that is the position we are in and we have to get it out as quickly as we can."
The 28-year-old forward realises that Saturday might not produce a game of 'total football', but thinks that the team must just dig in and ensure that they do the hard work necessary to ease any lingering concerns about safety.
"Games at this stage of the season generally aren't pretty and we have to get our heads down and just grind the win out and hopefully that will come on Saturday," added the No.26. "As I have said, we shouldn't be looking over our shoulders, but we are and we have to do something about it and sort it out quickly.
"We need the supporters behind us on Saturday - the crowd makes a difference. We are as frustrated as anyone that we are not getting the results, but hopefully on Saturday we can put in a performance that the fans are happy with."
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