Colchester United striker John Akinde on final-game clash

But there is one important difference this weekend to the experienced striker’s past campaigns, as he heads into Colchester United’s pivotal clash with Crewe Alexandra.

Back in 2018, striker Akinde suffered the pain of relegation from League Two with Barnet, despite scoring in their 3-0 home win over Chesterfield.

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Morecambe’s 0-0 draw at Coventry sent the Bees down, despite them getting a positive result on the day.

Akinde, 34, heads into the U’s clash with Alex knowing that unlike with Barnet six years ago, his current team’s destiny is still firmly in their own hands and they are not reliant on results elsewhere, to keep them up.

Colchester go into their televised game at the JobServe Community Stadium knowing that a point will be enough to keep them in League Two, regardless of Sutton United’s result at play-off bound MK Dons.

“I’ve been in a similar situation with Barnet unfortunately, when it’s gone down to the last day,” said Akinde.

“We’re in control and that’s what we have to remember.

“As long as we perform how we know we can, it’s all in our hands so we just have to be confident in our ability to achieve the goal and perform how we have in the past few games.

“It doesn’t matter what happens elsewhere, as long as we perform and do what we need to, then anything else around us doesn’t matter.

“We’ve got to focus on getting the result ourselves.

“We’ve performed well but unfortunately, not had the results, so we have to make sure that we get the result that we need.

“I try to pass on as much information as I can to the young boys and the experience is not new to me.

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“I’ll pass on as much experience as I can before the game, in training, during the game, to try and get us over the line.

“I guess it’s just staying relaxed and believing in your ability, having confidence and just remembering what we’ve done, over the past few games, few months really, I believe.

“It’s about backing yourself and not letting the occasion get to you and just remembering how good you are.”

Colchester are hoping that home advantage will help them get over the line tomorrow, as they bid to finally secure their place in the Football League for next season.

“The fans can be massive,” said Akinde.

“I think they’ve been great recently.

“We’ve obviously heard them and understand their frustrations.

“You don’t want your team to be where they are but we appreciate their support and we’re going to need them again, on Saturday.”

Colchester go into the game against Crewe following back-to-back defeats but their performances have generally been good since the Cowleys took charge, at the turn of the year.

Akinde said: “I feel like the way we perform in games has not really shown in the results.

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“We’re confident in what we can do and on our day, we can beat anyone.

“We’ll take that thought process into Saturday and get the result that we need.

“As a player, you always want to perform to the highest standard and give a positive account of yourself.

“I always want to play well for the team and I think that goes for each and every member of the squad.

“Mistakes happen and it’s just how you bounce back from it really and Saturday gives us an opportunity to bounce back.

“On a positive note, I think we played well in large spells of the game against Doncaster and we’ll try and take that into Saturday.

“It’s obviously disappointing to lose, so we’ve just got to get the right result on Saturday.”

Akinde has scored twice in Colchester's last five matches and is ready to play his part again tomorrow.

He added: “I feel good and ready to go and help us get the result we need.

“It was a disappointing start to the season for myself, with the injury.

“Just being a part of it now and helping the boys any way that I can is what I’m here to do – goals, performance, assists, whatever it is.”