Preston boss backs toiling side to pull off Great Escape

"We cannot escape the fact that the pressure is definitely on us although we are only one win away from going ahead of the two clubs above us," stressed Myatt. "There is still a lot of movement to come regarding the bottom four clubs and our immediate aim is to accumulate 20 points which I believe would make Preston safe."

Preston are currently on nine points with three wins to their credit although their last victory was in mid-November and since then they have suffered seven straight defeats, conceding 28 goals in the process. "We are the only team never to have drawn a game and our defensive performances have been dreadful," said Myatt. "We are 20 goals worse off than any other team in the league and that is mental. Our Achilles heel is the first and last minutes of games when there seems to be a lack of concentration. For example, last Saturday against Spartans the players knew exactly what they were to do and yet we conceded a goal after only 45 seconds.

"This leads to a continuous knocking of my players' confidence and because we are losing goals heads go down. There is also the issue of not having competition for places because of the unavailability of players, mainly as a result of horrendous injury situations. We do have some really good players and at times have played some fantastic football. We have dominated games for long periods without having a cutting edge. We have had to play our leading goalscorer, Stuart Miller, both at centre half and out on the right hand side of midfield. I am not making excuses because all of this is my responsibility.

"It's actually quite incredible that we still have a chance of staying up and tomorrow against Edinburgh City we know that it will obviously be a difficult game. We need our team spirit to be absolutely spot on in what is a massive game for us. We should take confidence from the fact that in the second 45 minutes last weekend we actually beat Spartans 1-0, the first 45 minutes of football we have won for ten games.

"Anything we get from tomorrow will be because we are playing and fighting together. I need my players not to think about themselves but about the club. We need to show endeavour."

Myatt has more selection headachesas Chris Barton has walked out on the club without reason, Craig Scott and Reece McGillion are injured and Mark Pagliarulo is at a wedding. Edinburgh City, meanwhile, have lost only one of their last 13 league games to move into the top half of the table

Joint manager John Green saying: "No other team apart from leaders Spartans can boast of that kind of form. Football is unpredictable and there is no winning formula so we do not dwell on wins or losses - we try to focus on one game at a time. This season we have had lots of injuries and had to use 26 players which is unbelievable. One of the saving factors for Edinburgh City is that the coaches of our U17 and U19 teams can supply players to us, which is a huge advantage.

"Tomorrow we face a Preston Athletic team who are fighting for their lives and we will certainly not be underestimating them and will be treating them with respect. We know that Preston will be treating this match as a must win game."

City will be without Darren Gourlay and Kevin Morrison who are injured while Robbie Ross faces a late fitness test.

The action kicks-off at the Pennypit, at 2.30pm with admission 4 for adults and 2 for concessions.