RICHARD Hill says the pressure is all on Grimsby to emerge triumphant in the Vanarama Conference play-off semi-final against Eastleigh.

After painful play-off defeats to Newport and Gateshead in the last two seasons, the Mariners are desperate to make it third time lucky as they look to reclaim the League Two status they surrendered in 2010.

It was the first time in almost 100 years that they had dropped out of the Football League and Hill says there will be a huge weight of expectation on the Blundell Park outfit to get past “underdogs” Eastleigh who, just 12 years ago, were plying their trade in the Wessex League.

“For us getting to the play-offs is a bonus, but Grimsby are expected to get promotion,” said Hill ahead of tomorrow's eagerly awaited first leg at the Silverlake Stadium (7.45pm).

“I’d imagine at the start of the season finishing in the play-offs was the minimum target for Grimsby - if not champions.

“I’m sure their manager and players are all under pressure to get promoted whereas there’s no pressure on us at all.

“My requirement coming into this league was to compete for as long as we could and finish as high as we could.

“I said we would get better as the season went on and we’ve had to win our last five games to get there.

“We’ve finished fourth on our own merits behind (champions) Barnet with their unbelievable Football League history and Bristol Rovers and Grimsby. Kidderminster, Lincoln, Chester and Wrexham have all finished behind us, which tells you the size of our achievement to date.

“A manager is only as good as his players and our lads have been terrific. And if, come the end of tomorrow's game, we’re still in the tie and can go to Grimsby for the second leg on Sunday (3.30pm) with something to play for, that would be amazing.

“But, for Grimsby’s players, they’re expected to be a Football League club come the final whistle at Wembley on May 17.”

Team news is mixed for Eastleigh as they look to tame a Mariners side who have beaten them home and away in the league.

Left-back Michael Green is back in training after missing the last five games with a hamstring pull, but defender Paul Reid, who broke a rib against Alfreton, has “no chance” after a setback in his recovery.

Concerningly for Spitfires fans, 19-goal top scorer James Constable is highly doubtful after taking a knock on the leg against Kidderminster last week.

Hill would not go into detail about the injury, but admitted: “It’s worse than we thought and I’d be very surprised if he’s fit tonight. He’ll be a loss to us.”

Eastleigh were defeated 2-1 at Blundell Park on March 21, but it was Grimsby’s 1-0 Silverlake win in late January which left a lasting impression.

“Some Eastleigh people thought they were the best team we’d played,” said Hill. “They were good that night and it was a very professional away performance. I’m sure they’ll be looking at doing it again.”

Grimsby boss Paul Hurst says his side are bang up for the challenge.

“I think we are in the best shape we have ever been going into the play-offs. Our chances are good and I really believe in the squad,” he said.

“Now we want to think about getting to Wembley and giving ourselves a chance of getting back into the Football League.”

After discussions with local police and safety advisors, Eastleigh are offering limited ticket sales at the ground tomorrow evening.

The fixture was made all-ticket on Tuesday and, with a large crowd expected, fans are still advised to purchase tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

A club statement said: “We are very grateful to the monitoring authorities for recognising that a large number of our fans are used to paying for their ticket on the night and allowing this late alteration to their procedure.

“Hopefully this will enable the fans who are unable to purchase their ticket in advance or didn’t get the message that the game is all-ticket to still come and enjoy what is a very important game in our history.”