Gary Johnson`s side have have failed to win their last three home games in League One with just 4,423 turning up for the draw with Leyton Orient last time out.
Mackail-Smith said: "A big crowd has a massive impact on the players. Everyone wants thousands of supporters there cheering us on, but we haven't given them a lot to shout about recently.
"It is great when the fans are there through the good times, but we also need them in a situation like this when things haven't been going that well.
"So hopefully people will come down on Friday to watch us and fingers crossed we can repay them with a good result.
"We are only three points off the play-offs, four points off third and only six away from second. We have a run of games that we should be looking to take maximum points from and hopefully we can soon get ourselves back into a challenging position."
Source: PA
Source: PA