Thunder's Chris Hood (left) and Steve McCormack first teamed up in May

Gateshead head coach Steve McCormack has warned his players to expect a fierce response from Doncaster in their decisive Championship game on Sunday.

Thunder can ensure Championship safety by beating bottom club, who have long since relegated having won just one league game all season.

But McCormack believes Doncaster are no pushovers and can still pose a threat.

"It's a dangerous fixture," he told BBC Newcastle. "Anyone can beat anyone and they will want to finish with a win."

Thunder go into the final game in their most fruitful form of the season, having beaten play-off contenders Barrow 16-12 in their own backyard on Monday.

Such form could have propelled them into a play-off spot had earlier season results gone their way - but McCormack refuses to look back at what might have been.

"We are where we are," he said. "Over the last nine games we've won six and drawn one, at the back end of the year when the pressure is on.

"We went to Toulouse and won, we beat Halifax, beat Barrow away, and beat Leigh a couple of times. It's been good watching them and good working with them.

"We've got one game to go. All the hard work all season, all the points before I came, all the hills, the fitness work, it comes down to one game.

"We're in charge of our own destiny, and that's the most important thing. It would have been great to be involved in the play-offs this week, but we're not and the main thing is making sure we survive in this division."

Former Widnes coach McCormack arrived at the International Stadium in May, retaining outgoing coach Chris Hood as his assistant.

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Live: BBC Newcastle - Doncaster v Gateshead - 06-09-2009

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