All season long, League Two has delivered some fascinating stories. But with two games to go, almost everything is still up for grabs, ahead of a penultimate matchday that guarantees to deliver.
Six Clubs Vying For Three Automatic Places
At the top of the fourth tier, it is all to play for. Doncaster Rovers’ assignment is simple: beat Bradford City in the lunchtime kick-off and they are promoted. Donny will seal the title too if they are successful against the Bantams and Port Vale lose against AFC Wimbledon at the same time. Vale can also be promoted if they win and Walsall drop points at 3pm against Accrington Stanley. There is even a scenario that if the Saddlers lose, Bradford win in South Yorkshire, and Vale avoid defeat against Wimbledon, the current top three will all be promoted.
If Walsall win, then the two sides directly above them cannot be promoted this weekend. Donny just need to match the result of Mat Sadler’s side to return to League One. AFC Wimbledon and even Notts County can still go up automatically, but both require six points from their final two games. A draw at the Eco-Power Stadium would rule County out before the full-time whistle blows in their fixture at Harrogate Town. For the Dons to take it to the final day, they have to beat Port Vale and hope that Bradford and Walsall drop points.
Play-Off Race Even Closer
Three Play-Off places are still up for grabs in the fourth tier. The above-mentioned Wimbledon and Notts County are yet to confirm their spots in the end-of-season competition, but the Dons will do so with victory. Notts require three points, and one of Grimsby Town or Colchester United failing to win.
Elsewhere, Grimsby begin the weekend in pole position, sitting a point ahead of Colchester. But the Mariners cannot confirm their spot in the Play-Offs this weekend, as the U’s face ninth-place Colchester United, who are two points behind Grimsby. This means that a victory for the Cods would be accompanied by one of the two sides directly below them gaining at least a point, and therefore could still overtake David Artell’s side next Saturday.
Salford will be out of the running if Colchester defeat them. That result would rule out Crewe Alexandra and Bromley, too. The latter are at Barrow, while Alexandra play Tranmere Rovers, both needing three points along with dropped points for Colchester and Grimsby. That would take their ambitions for a top seven berth down to the final day. The final side in contention are Chesterfield, who host Morecambe. Paul Cook’s outfit are three points adrift of the Play-Off places, realistically requiring a win to keep their ambitions alive, along with a draw between Colchester and Salford and Grimsby to be beaten.
One Down, One To Go
Morecambe dropped out of the Football League on Monday afternoon, following a fourth successive loss against Salford City. Carlisle United will join them tomorrow if they are defeated at Cheltenham Town. The Cumbrians have to better Tranmere Rovers’ result to take the fight for survival down until the final day, or win and hope Accrington Stanley lose at Walsall. Even then, a ten-goal swing is required for the Blues to overtake Accy.
John Doolan’s side were moments away from confirming safety on Monday, until Carlisle scored a stoppage-time leveller. A point will confirm their spot in League Two next season. Alternatively, they will be safe if Carlisle fail to win. Tranmere are the side separating the two clubs at current, confirming survival if they match the Cumbrians’ result.
