Josh Brownhill is confident Preston North End can continue their remarkable home form of late and put Gillingham to the sword on Saturday.
The Lilywhites have won their last four games at Deepdale, a run which includes the comprehensive 3-1 victory against fellow promotion hopefuls Peterborough United in March, a 6-1 win over Carlisle United and last weekend's 5-2 thumping of Shrewsbury Town.
Simon Grayson’s side are hitting form on home soil at the perfect time with the Play-Offs fast approaching and Brownhill thinks it could lead to teams being frightened of visiting Deepdale.
“In the past two games we have done very well, we scored six against Carlisle and five against Shrewsbury,” the North End youngster told PNE.Com in an exclusive interview.
“We haven’t really done that well at home as we have done away from home but it seems we are getting to grips with our home games which is coming when they Play-Offs are coming up, which will stand us in good stead.
“We just need to make sure we carry on and hopefully teams will be frightened to play us now.”
Peter Taylor’s Gillingham travel to Preston knowing their Sky Bet League One status is not mathematically secure.
With two games of the season still to play, the Priestfield outfit sit six points above the relegation zone and have an inferior goal difference to 21st placed Notts County.
A single point will ensure their safety and Brownhill knows the Gills will fight for every ball for the full 90 minutes this weekend.
“It’s going to be a tough game, they’re not clear from relegation and have got to make sure they don’t drop into the relegation zone,” the midfielder said.
“But we have just got to make sure we carry on our home form and hopefully hit them for a good score like we have done in the last two games.”
The 2013/14 season has been a remarkable one for Brownhill, who has cemented his status as a member of North End’s first team squad with three goals in 29 appearances.
But the midfielder has been forced to settle for a place on the bench in recent weeks as Republic of Ireland youth international Alan Browne has sparkled for the Lilywhites.
Rather than rest on his laurels, however, Brownhill is determined to battle for a place in the starting line up in time for the Play-Offs, saying: “Hopefully I will get my chance.
“I have been coming on from the bench which is good but if I get a chance to start I will take my chance and hopefully secure my place for the Play-Offs.
“But if not I’ll know that coming on from the bench, I will still do my best.”