THIS afternoon’s visit to promotion-hunters Preston North End will afford his Town side the perfect opportunity to sample the same white-hot atmosphere they’ll experience in the play-offs, according to Mark Cooper.

Whilst Swindon look destined for the lottery of the end-of-season shake-up, the Lilywhites could seal second-place in League One by the close of play today if they vanquish Town and MK Dons slip up at Rochdale.

But County Ground chief Cooper reckons that the home side will shoulder all of the pressure when Town visit Deepdale and is expecting his troops to savour the challenge of tackling Simon Grayson’s men in Lancashire.

“I haven’t really got any worries about them handling any occasion,” said Cooper.

“When the game is high in tempo and atmosphere, we respond to that. When it’s slow and low and there’s no atmosphere, that’s when we’ve struggled. The play-offs might suit us.

“I think we sampled that against Bristol City a couple of weeks ago. That was what I would call a play-off atmosphere - the result wasn’t great but the performance was very good at times and it could have easily gone the other way.

“I wish I was in Preston’s position; having to get three points and they could clinch promotion on Saturday. I’d rather be in their position but we’re not and for us, it’s all about preparation for May 7.

“The pressure is all on Preston. They know that and they’ve got experienced players to deal with that.

“We can throw the shackles off and go and play. We’re going to try and win the game. We’re going to go and try and beat them - of course we are.”

Cooper is more than aware of the formidable tools in Preston’s armoury.

The Town boss said: “They’ve got a manager that’s very experienced at this level in getting teams out of this division. They’ve got a squad of players that are very experienced and they know how to win and how to get promotion.

“They are all-powerful, aren’t they? And they’ve got weapons in their team that cost a lot of money and more or less guarantee you goals.

“They are a big club and I’m sure that they will grace the Championship if they get there.”