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Notts County is set to face Chesterfield in the League Two play-off semi-final, marking their sixth playoff battle in seven seasons. Jodi Jones emphasizes the team's experience and confidence going into this high-stakes match.
For the sixth time in seven seasons, Notts County find themselves battling for promotion in the play-offs.
And for the third time in six years, they face Chesterfield in a high-stakes tie.
Sunday's League Two play-off semi-final first leg (18:00 BST) comes just short of three years after they twice came from behind at Wembley to overcome the Spireites on penalties in the National League promotion final.
Jodi Jones, one of the last promotion-winning Notts players that remains at the club, says a Magpies squad stacked with footballers "who have been here before" go into the latest play-off campaign full of "belief and excitement".
And when asked if it is possible that a side can get used to such showdowns, the Malta international replied: "Yeah, you could say that to be fair.
"There is always football drama, and we have been involved in a lot recently."
This from a player that provided one of the Notts' most iconic play-off moments, scoring the last-minute extra-time winner against Boreham Wood at Meadow Lane in 2023 to send the Magpies to that National Stadium where they sensationally beat Chesterfield.
The Derbyshire club were promoted to League Two a year later and have not been beaten by the Magpies in their four meeting since regaining their English Football League status.
Notts County has reached the playoffs six times in seven seasons, showcasing their consistent competitiveness in League Two.
The first leg of the League Two play-off semi-final between Notts County and Chesterfield is scheduled for Sunday at 18:00 BST.
Jodi Jones is one of the last remaining players from Notts County's previous promotion-winning squad, and he expresses that the current team is filled with belief and excitement for the upcoming playoffs.
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It is a run that includes beating Notts both home and away this season, as they finished just one spot and one point below the fifth-placed Magpies in the table.
It means Chesterfield host the first leg of their play-off on Sunday before the tie is taken to Meadow Lane five days later.
"Since I've been here, we've had some good games with Chezzy and it does come across like a rivalry and derby," Jones told BBC East Midlands Today.
"We know they are good team and we also know what we are capable of."
While Chesterfield have had the better of the rivalry over the past two seasons, Jones says the tie is a "really good match-up between two really good teams".
"I wouldn't say they are a bogey team," Jones said.
"The biggest moment of all against them was the final and we beat them there."
Overcoming Chesterfield over two legs now, and booking a return to Wembley, will put Notts within a one win of returning to League One after an 11-year absence.
"We are three games away from going to where we believe we should be," Jones said. "We are excited, but we just need to go get the job done."