THE countdown has begun ...

In less than 48 hours Tranmere Rovers face Boreham Wood in the National League playoff final at Wembley Stadium.

Micky Mellon's side are just 90 minutes from returning to the Football League and will claim the prize if victorious on Saturday afternoon.

The Whites beat Ebbsfleet United 4-2 after extra-time in an incredible, morale-boosting playoff semi-final at Prenton Park last weekend.

During a press conference at Rovers Solar Campus training ground in Leasowe this afternoon, manager Micky Mellon said although excited about Saturday, there was still a job to be done.

Rovers' promotion dreams were shattered at Wembley last year, but the manager says players and staff are much calmer this time, with knowledge of the surroundings from last season’s visit to the national stadium.

Looking forward to Saturday's game, which kicks off at 3pm, he said: "It's the main one, the one with the prize to be fought for.

"We're excited and looking forward to it.

"Last weekend was a good day for the football club; one of the days that will live long in the memory.

"It's drawn me back to where I want us to get to. It's good to have days like that."

On this weekend’s return to Wembley, he said: "When you’re going back to an environment you've been to before you do feel calmer.

"I would stress, however, that even though we do feel calmer, there's a job to be done.

"We know the environment that the job's got to be done in now, as we felt it before.

"The vast majority of the team played there last year.

"We've had a good week of preparation to get the lads recovered and prepared for the game."

Assessing this weekend's game, he said: "It's going to be tough; it's two teams, two last men standing if you like, who've had to do very, very well in order to get themselves into this stage.

"So, whoever you face, it's going to be a tough game and a massive challenge.

"It's not one that we're not looking forward to, we're excited about it and obviously in control about it, but we know that we’ve got to go there and do our jobs.

"To be in honest, a lot more people are thinking about the last time we were there than we are.

"It's a long, long time ago for me now.

"It's all about moving forward, using the experience of not just one given day, but seasons gone past and knowing the environment that you’re going into and knowing what you’re going to do.

"We've got to remember it's only a game of football.

"It's about going down there to be the best that you can, being part of a massive occasion and not letting it pass you by.

"We've been together for two seasons now, so we know what's required.

"It'll be a tough game, but we'll be ready."

Praising the fans, he said: "I know what they will be like; they will be fantastic.

"We will go out there to represent them properly and fight for that big prize.

"Tranmere holds a big place in everybody's hearts, there's no doubt about that.

"You hear stories of people travelling from all over the place to come and support such a fantastic football club and that makes it such a privilege to be involved in the game and be the manager."

Defender Richie Sutton, who will play at Wembley for the first time on Saturday, said: "The hope is to be winning by the final whistle, but we’ll be concentrating on making sure that we keep doing what we've been doing; sticking to the principles of how we play, trying to black out the fact that it's Wembley and the big occasion, and just getting on with it really.

"Last weekend's result was a massive boost and has, in some way, prepared us for Saturday.

“Boreham Wood play a lot differently than Ebbsfleet do, but if we are focussed we can beat anyone on the day."

"I am pretty level-headed, try to blot everything out and just focus on the job.

"If you look after yourself and everybody else does then the team will stick together.

"It's easier said than done, because when you're playing at Wembley, you've got all your friends and family there and it's a big crowd, but that's just part of the job.

"I've come up with a few goals this season, should probably have scored a few more to be honest, so if I can get on one of those set pieces I fancy my chance."

Hoping for a return to the Football League, he said: "You see teams come down from League Two and it can take years to back.

"We've found our feet this season, have been consistent but hopefully we can use our experience from last year at Wembley to take it over the line."