RAY WILKINS is predicting a real culture clash in today's Second Division play-off final at Wembley. The former Fulham boss believes the game will hinge on the battle between Grimsby's silk and Northampton's steel. Grimsby are one of the best footballing sides in the Second Division, whereas Northampton are one of the most combative sides in the division, Wilkins said. Northampton are a big side and they work very hard to get the ball into certain areas, while Grimsby play some very nice football, they try to keep the ball on the floor. So you've got a couple of contrasting sides who are going into battle. It should be an interesting match. Northampton play to their strengths and they do it to great effect, as they have shown over the last couple of seasons when they've reached the play-offs. They merit being there. They are a difficult side to beat because they don't let in too many goals and, because they are so big, Carl Heggs and John Gayle are key men up front. But the former England international midfielder feels the Mariners' better football will prove too much for Ian Atkins' Cobblers: It is up to Grimsby to get after them and try to break them down with the silkier football of the two sides. Wembley has such big open spaces that, if Grimsby can get their passing going, it will be a difficult afternoon for Northampton. I will have to go for Grimsby by a single goal. The Cobblers were promoted to the Second Division last season when John Frain netted a last minute free-kick against Swansea, but Alan Buckley's men have been to the Twin Towers more recently, beating Bournemouth in last month's Auto Windscreens Shield Final. The rival managers are both claiming that their team will be the underdogs this afternoon. Grimsby boss Buckley insists Northampton hold the edge in experience: The fact that we've been there in the Auto Windscreens isn't the same as the experience which they carry into the match - I think a play-off day is a far different sort of day to a cup final. Atkins is also taking a cautious approach to the game, claiming his side have been viewed as underdogs all season, even though we've been in the top six for most of the time. Everyone expected us to be relegated straight back to the Third Division, so we feel there's no pressure on us and we're just delighted to be back at Wembley again. Grimsby are favourites because they finished third. It's a wonderful opportunity to play in the First Division, but I don't think it will be a huge disappointment if we lose because nobody expected us to get this far. Northampton, whose Sixfields Stadium holds only 7,653, will be cheered on by a massive travelling band of around 40,000 supporters.

JACK READY TO HIT THE ROAD   TORQUAY are resigned to losing 16-goal star striker Rodney Jack, after failing to win promotion to Division Two via Friday's play-off final, but have placed a £1m price-tag on the St Vincent international. Manager Kevin Hodges has already rejected an offer, believed to be around £400,000, from Crewe for the 25-year-old but other inquiries have been made, with big-spending Fulham reported to be at the head of the queue. Craven Cottage boss Kevin Keegan took Jack to Newcastle for a trial shortly before he left St James' Park in January 1997 and reportedly has his eyes on the Caribbean ace again. "I just don't know what is going to happen," Jack admitted. Only the chairman knows the answer to that. I don't have a clue where I'll be next season. I am happy at Torquay and I would like to stay, but if there is a chance of moving on I might take it," contradicts Jack. Colchester, who won 1-0 thanks to David Gregory's 22nd minute penalty after a harsh handball decision against Torquay's Jon Gittens, were in the Conference six years ago, but can now look forward to Division Two games against the likes of Manchester City, Stoke and Fulham. Pragmatic manager Steve Wignall is already thinking about surviving that first season at the next level: That's the trouble with management. You get about 10 or 15 minutes of euphoria and that's it. I mean, I walked off the pitch thinking about next season. I can't help it, that's just the way it is. The Second Division will perhaps be the strongest it's ever been next season, certainly financially. There's Manchester City, Fulham and Stoke. Reading have a new £38m stadium. In contrast, I think my team for Friday cost a total of around £80,000 to put together. Wignall is looking to bring in at least two new players and will meet with the Layer Road board early next week to find out how much money is available. He admits there will not be a large transfer kitty to work with - Colchester's record signing cost £50,000 - but is trying to stay positive. We've done this on a reasonably average budget, he said, so why shouldn't we do it again?

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