The Conference packed with ‘sleeping giants’ currently and fourth-placed Grimsby Town are one side who certainly fall into that category.

Since relegation in 2010 – the first time the club have been out of the Football League in almost 100 years – the Mariners have twice finished 11th and twice finished fourth, failing to seal a return to the league via the play-offs in two consecutive campaigns.

A Championship – or then Division One – side as recently as 2003, Grimsby’s stay in League One (Division Two) lasted just nine months before five seasons in League Two ended by finishing second-bottom of the Football League in 2010, having only bothered the top half once.

Current boss Paul Hurst will have been in charge at Blundell Park for four years this March, having previously managed at Boston United and Ilkeston Town, posts he shared with trusted lieutenant Rob Scott.

The pair were initially one of English football’s few management double acts but when Scott was placed on gardening leave and later sacked for gross misconduct in September 2013, Hurst took sole control of the club for the first time.

Beaten 4-1 by eventual play-off runners-up Gateshead over two legs last May, Town were condemned to a fifth season outside of the Football League.

And after delivering a play-off finish for each of the last two seasons, it looks increasingly likely the Mariners could again be set for the end-of-season lottery.

Hurst had hoped to make an addition to his squad ahead of Saturday’s clash at Blundell Park but told the Grimsby Telegraph any deal looked unlikely to happen before the Bees’ visit.

He said: "I thought we might be close to something on Wednesday, but it certainly won't be in time for the weekend.

"But there is a possibility that we might get another player in.

"I don't want to alert other teams, because the news of being available was a shock to the player himself.

"I've agreed it with the club, but he was a little surprised that he was available to leave.

"It's about the player getting his head around that, and then coming to a decision – we are hoping to get it sorted, but there are no guarantees.”

Town come into the game after suffering back-to-back home defeats against Macclesfield Town and Lincoln City, whilst drawing 0-0 at Gateshead on Saturday in the FA Trophy.

Prior to that the Mariners had lost just once in 13 Conference fixtures – a run which had seen them climb as high as second place at one point.

Addressing Saturday’s visit from Martin Allen’s table toppers, Hurst told the Grimsby Telegraph: "We have a great opportunity to get back on track.

"It's going to be tough, and on paper it couldn't be tougher.

"In terms of motivation, there will be a great atmosphere and the club have obviously got a great initiative on. We will have fans on all four sides of the ground.

"We have to be positive and brave, and we need to have the confidence to take them on and get a result."

Midfielder Scott Neilson looks set to miss Barnet’s visit due to an ankle injury. The 27-year-old had been scheduled to undergo a fitness test today (Friday) but is not expected to feature.

Former Charlton Athletic defender Aswad Thomas, who made three appearances on loan with Barnet in 2008, is absent but still contracted to the club, contrary to rumours.

The Bees have only won once at Blundell Park in six visits in the league, with their solitary win coming courtesy of Neil Bishop strike, sealing a first win at the eighth time of asking.

Grimsby Town XI v Gateshead (FA Trophy, 10.1.15): McKeown; Parslow, Magnay, Nsiala, Pearson; Clay, Brown, Disley, Arnold; Palmer, John-Lewis .