ALAN Knill insists his side are not simply going into this weekend's derby just to end Rochdale's hopes of automatic promotion.

Gigg Lane is gearing up for its biggest gate of the season as the Shakers look to extend a proud record of five consecutive home wins.

Nothing but victory will do for Dale, who are desperate to secure their first promotion in over 30 years from the bottom rung of the Football League.

But Knill isn't building the game as a chance to ruin the Spotland men's season, simply as an opportunity to keep the feelgood factor flowing through his own supporters.

"It is big for Rochdale, they obviously want to go up automatically," the manager said.

"It isn't that we want to stop them, it is that we just want to win six homes games in a row, "We have done really well and I think attitudes and mentalities have changed. People are walking round with a smile on their faces again, so why not try and keep that going through the summer?

"The game is important to the fans, but it is important for the players too, it is all about winning now."

Many Shakers fans have pledged to bring a friend' in a bid to swell the home gate.

Saturday is also the last chance for supporters to purchase their season ticket at a discounted rate for next season.

And it may also be the final opportunity to see some of the several first team players whose contracts expire in the summer. Plans are afoot for a lap of honour, provided both sets of fans stay on their best behaviour after the final whistle.

Knill revealed that contract talks will begin in earnest when the players arrive back from a short break in Spain, due to begin almost immediately after the Accrington game on the last day of the season.

"It is important to get the games out of the way," Knill said. "The players then go away for three days and then we will sort it out when they come back.

"I have spoken to a couple of the younger ones, Nicky Adams and David Buchanan, to say an offer is on its way.

"With the other ones, it isn't that it has already been decided, it is just that we are waiting until the end of the season."