Barnet, lying fourth in Division Three, face a tough Easter programme as they start on the final lap in the battle to step up into Division Two.

The Bees are at home to promotion rivals Leyton Orient in a crucial London derby on Saturday, followed by a trip to third-placed Macclesfield on Monday.

"They're two difficult games, with all the tension of cup-ties, and the last three matches will be the same," said Bees boss John Still.

"But we've been in good form lately, and are ready for the challenge."

Still will be looking for a repeat of the battling qualities the Bees showed in the excellent 3-2 win at Darlington on Saturday, when they had their backs to the wall throughout the second half.

"The conditions were atrocious with the ground in the bottom goal very bumpy and boggy, but we dug in and did the job -- our defenders were magnificent," praised Still.

"But they've been the same throughout the season."

A timely boost for the Bees in their final quest is the return to form of top scorer Sean Devine, back to his devastating best, as he demonstrated with that brilliant hat-trick at Darlington, having scored in the 1-1 home with Hartlepool the previous week.

"Our two front men, Devine and Scott McGleish, have not had much luck, but they are very quick and dangerous," said Still.

"Their power, allied to our defensive qualities make us a strong side that creates problems for our opponents."

McGleish struck a purple patch with five goals in six games, but hasn't scored for five matches.

What greater incentive could there be than to end the brief famine against his former club Leyton Orient as the Bees seek revenge for a 2-0 defeat at Brisbane Road in December?

Barnet will be without midfielders John Doolan and Stevie Searle. Doolan completes a three-match ban, and Searle is ruled out by a pulled hamstring sustained midway through the first half at Feethams on Saturday.

Warren Goodhind and Udo Onwere, who both came on as substitutes are contenders to fill the gap.

Still will include Doolan in his squad at Macclesfield on Monday, and it's a safe bet he will be in the starting line-up.

Though short of match practice during his suspension, his physical strength would be an asset.

Macclesfield are the only club in the Football League with an unbeaten home record, and cuurently occupy the coveted third promotion place, a single point ahead of Barnet.

"They are waiting to be beaten, and we have no fears,"said Still.

"I am confident we can get a result there, and we might even end their record."

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