Mick Tait knows exactly what to expect when his side take on promotion hopefuls Bournemouth this afternoon.

After picking up the manager of the month award for February, Cherries boss Sean O'Driscoll has seen his third-placed side lose both their games in March.

Bury and Rushden have both inflicted defeats on Bournemouth in the last week and Tait believes the south coast outfit will be in no mood to contemplate an unhappy treble.

"It's not ideal to go down there after they've lost their last two away games because they'll be expected to bounce back," said Tait.

"They'll be looking to get back on track so we're expecting a very hard game."

Tait admitted his side are beginning to feel the strain after last week's battling draw with Hartlepool and the midweek win over York.

And today Quakers visit a Bournemouth side beaten just once at home this season. Only Bury have came away from Dean Court with all three points.

"They have a good home record and it's hardly an ideal place to go on the back of two very tough games," said Tait.

"It would be great to go down there and get another good result.

"We've had a decent week and it would be nice to end it with another win."

Another three points today will almost certainly rule Quakers out of any possible relegation scrap, with eight points currently separating them from the relegation zone.

Indeed, their League status may well have been assured long before now according to Tait, who feels the win over York made up for the times Quakers have came away from games with less than he feels they've deserved.

"We've had plenty of points pinched off us this year so to get a win when we haven't played well is great," said Tait.

"The Hartlepool game took a lot out of us so to go on and beat York was very pleasing. We'll take the points however we get them.

"There's still a lot of hard work to be done, but if we can show the same kind of passion as we showed against Hartlepool last week then I'm sure we'll do very well."

After his midweek strike against York Danny Mellanby is expected to keep his place up front alongside 14-goal leading scorer Barry Conlon.

Tait is full of praise for Mellanby, who he admits is still some way off full fitness after spending the majority of the season on the sidelines.

"We know he's nowhere near fully fit but full credit to the lad, he's done very well," said Tait.

"Danny has came in and performed very well alongside Baz."

And while Mellanby's impressive re-emergence has given Tait some food for thought, he has urged the likes of Ian Clark to fight for their place.

"It would be nice to be able to pick a solid partnership but it's just as important to have a bit of competition," said Tait.

"That's how you get the best out of players. With Danny being back now we have a few extra options."

Tait will make a final check on the fitness of defender Stuart Whitehead today.

The 26-year-old is still struggling with an ankle injury and remains a major doubt.

Blackburn striker Jim Corbett, who arrived on a months loan last week, is ruled out with a groin injury, while Bournemouth will be without two key players for today's game.

Defender Jason Tindall and striker Warren Feeney have both been ruled out after picking up ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.

Lewis Buxton, on loan from Portsmouth, should step in for Tindall, while Neil Young looks set to return after injury