The Cobblers have emerged pointless from their last two outings, with the play-off dream hanging by a thread after defeats at home to Nottingham Forest and at Carlisle.

Dolman says silly mistakes have cost Stuart Gray's side in both those games, and the Cobblers must cut them out and start doing the simple things right if they are to get back on the winning trail.

"We just need to get back to basics and keep clean sheets again," said Dolman. "Every game is a winnable game in this league, in the last few weeks we have shown that because we have beaten some top sides.

"We just need to get back to doing the basics right, working hard and cutting out mistakes.

"People are always going to make mistakes, but it is how you react to them that matters. Hopefully on Saturday we will react and get three points."

Nothing less than victory will do for Town against a Cheltenham side – who have lost just once in their last seven – if they are to stand any chance of entering the end of season promotion lottery.

That has become very much an improbable target, but Dolman says Town have proved their critics wrong this term.

And he is hoping to be a permanent fixture in the side that challenges for a top six place.

"A lot of people were writing us off at the start of the season but we have shown that there is a lot of character, belief and ability in this squad," said the 20-year-old.

"We have got a young squad, but it is just disappointing we have lost the last two games. Now we need to pick ourselves back up and put pressure on other teams above us again.

"It has been a good season. Of late I haven't been in the team much because of the injury I got when I scored against Hartlepool.

"But to be fair the lads that have come in have done extremely well and I've just had to bide my time, keep working hard, play reserve team games and keep my fitness up.

"Hopefully now I'll get a run of games so I can prove myself again."