THIS is familiar territory for Rory McArdle.

Four wins on the bounce, four clean sheets and a place nailed down in the play-offs.

For the third year running, the ever-dependable centre half is gearing up for the frenzy of a promotion shoot-out.

Only this time he will not have Millwall standing in his way – or be wearing claret and amber.

McArdle chose an opportune moment to open his scoring account for Scunthorpe last week.

It was a typical near-post header, the type that became his trademark at Valley Parade, and put the Iron well on the way to victory at doomed MK Dons.

A crucial win over play-off rivals Plymouth in midweek guaranteed Scunthorpe of a top-six finish.

As McArdle gears up to facing City tomorrow, he is desperate to avoid a repeat of his Wembley agony 12 months ago with his new club.

He said: “I know what that feeling is like and I don’t want to suffer it again.

“But just because you suffered defeat last year doesn’t mean you can’t get back there. You go off experiences and get on the right end of a result.”

Scunthorpe will finish fifth and face Rotherham in the play-offs with a win over City. Anything less and they could drop a place to take on Shrewsbury instead.