The Bulls travel north on Saturday for their final League Two match of the season at Macclesfield.
The two sides missed each other when the Silkmen were promoted to the Football League as the Bulls went the other way. They finally met for the first time in 2006 in the Football League Trophy, and have now shared the same division in four of the last five years. The Silkmen have the better of clashes so far winning five of the eigth games, with the Bulls winning two. Back in February the Bulls were on course for the win until Tyrone Barnett popped up in the last minute to equalise in a 2-2 draw that saw Michael Townsend sent off.
The Silkmen have the smallest gates in the division but have, again, avoided relegation comfortably. Boss Gary Simpson has admitted he has to formulate his team's tactics to fit their bargain-basement budget, but they have tried to be more open at home resulting in only six wins at Moss Rose this term. Former Bulls keeper Jose Veiga is rated by Simpson, who has compared the Cape Verde man to Pepe Reina, but Bulls fans only saw him in one hapless performance at Hartlepool where he conceded four times and looked anything but a League keeper.
It will be the final opportunity for several Bulls to stake their claims for contracts for next season. All the loanees will be back in the fold after their Conference seasons ended last week, and an indication of which will be offered deals will probably come with those that are named in the 18 man matchday squad on Saturday. Tyler Weir has impressed many for his performances with Gloucester and seems to be the crowd favourite to get a new deal, while Sam Malsom has also earned plaudits but has struggled for fitness.
Macclesfield Town vs Hereford United, Moss Rose, Saturday 7th May, 3.00pm.