Games are running out for those teams hoping to break into the automatic promotion spots, those looking to gate-crash the play-offs, and those hoping to steer clear of relegation, with all 24 teams in action once again on another busy Saturday in Sky Bet League 2.
The game of the day takes place at Spotland, where league leaders Rochdale entertain in-form York City. The home side have taken 17 points from their last eight matches, which has seen them open up a nine point lead over fourth place. This tally is only bettered by their opponents, who have taken 20 points thanks to six wins and two draws, propelling the Minstermen to the fringes of the play-off places. A win for Keith Hill’s Dale could put them within three points of clinching promotion, but it won’t be easy against Nigel Worthington’s side, who have won their last five away matches. It should be a cracker, and one that is very difficult to call.
Second place Scunthorpe United will be looking to take advantage of a possible Dale slip-up when they travel to bottom side Torquay United. The hosts are seven points from safety after three consecutive league defeats, all by a one nil score line. They are in dire need of points, but come up against a side who haven’t tasted defeat in the league since the middle of November. Impressively, that unbeaten run stretches even further away from home, with the 4-1 defeat at York on October 29 the last loss suffered on their travels. It’s a huge ask for Chris Hargreaves’ side to get anything from the game, but they will no doubt draw inspiration from the 2-1 win over Rochdale at Plainmoor not so long ago.
Chesterfield produced an admirable performance in their defeat to Peterborough in the Football League Trophy final at Wembley last weekend, but they must put that disappointment behind them when they return to league action against Newport County on Saturday. The Welsh side have won just once in their last 11 games, seeing them slip to 16th, ending any late play-off charge. They remain nine points clear of the relegation zone though, but face a tricky trip to Paul Cook’s side, although the Spireites' recent run of three wins in nine games is hardly promotion form. They have a five point gap over Fleetwood Town and Burton Albion, but have to face the latter on the penultimate weekend of the season.
There’s a huge game at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday, where seventh place Oxford United host fourth place Fleetwood Town. The home side’s run of just one win in nine matches has seen their play-off place go from being comfortable to slightly precarious, but victory over Graham Alexander’s side would go some way in consolidating that top seven place. The visitors still have aspirations of claiming an automatic promotion spot, but will probably have to get a win here to keep that dream alive.
Fifth place Burton Albion are level on points with Fleetwood, and host Plymouth Argyle on Saturday looking to keep the pressure on the top three. However, John Sheridan’s Pilgrims are still chasing the play-off spots, although recent inconsistency keeps them four points off of seventh place Oxford. The home side are unbeaten in their last five home matches, although the visitors have only lost one of their last six away matches. It’s a big game for both sides in their respective chases.
Southend United have won back-to-back games after a run of 12 games without a win, and a third consecutive success away at Cheltenham Town tomorrow could put a bit of breathing space between them and the chasing pack. The home side have struggled somewhat at home this season, picking up just five wins from their 20 matches at Whaddon Road. Phil Brown’s Shrimpers haven’t been entirely prolific away from home though; they haven’t won on the road in 2014, a run of eight games. Both teams however are on the back of victories, and it should be a tight affair in Gloucestershire.
Dagenham and Redbridge still have an outside chance of making the top seven, although they will have to eat into the five point gap with victory at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday. Gareth Ainsworth’s home side are just a place and three points above the bottom two, and haven’t won in their last six league matches. The Daggers on the other hand, are unbeaten in their last eight games, although have only won three of those matches. It’s a must-not-lose game for both sides.
The place the other side of the dreaded dotted line is Northampton Town, who face a crucial clash away at Accrington Stanley tomorrow. The initial upsurge in form in the opening matches of Chris Wilder’s tenure have come to an end at Sixfields, with the Cobblers winless in their last five outings. In contrast, James Beattie’s Stanley have moved themselves well clear of danger, largely down to just one defeat in their last seven games, opening up a nine point gap between the two sides. The visitors need the win, but it won’t be easy at the Crown Ground.
Portsmouth picked up a much-needed win over Newport in midweek, and another victory over Hartlepool United tomorrow at Fratton Park could open up an eight point gap between them and the bottom two. Colin Cooper’s Pool have struggled in recent weeks, with three consecutive defeats somewhat deflating their play-off challenge. A win for Pompey would put them within a point of their opponents.
Just two points separate AFC Wimbledon and Bristol Rovers before their meeting at Kingsmeadow tomorrow. Neal Ardley’s hosts have only won once in their last seven league matches, although the eight point gap between them and danger should be more than enough. Rovers lost at Bury in midweek, and it’s their away form that keeps them rooted firmly in the relegation dog-fight, with only one win all season on their travels. Victory for either side would likely secure Football League status for at least another season.
Exeter City have dragged themselves from third bottom up to 19th thanks to two wins in their last three matches, and travel to Bury on Saturday looking to put daylight between themselves and the bottom two. David Flitcroft’s hosts have gone ten points clear of danger thanks to a run of one defeat in eight games, including back-to-back wins over Bristol Rovers and Northampton, lifting them into the top half. A place just above Exeter are Morecambe, whose run of three defeats in four has seen them slip down the table, and they play host to 13th place Mansfield Town at the Globe Arena. The visitors have won back-to-back games to lift them to 50 points, and will look for a third win in a row against an out-of-sorts Morecambe side.
Once again, there is everything to play for in all 12 games on Saturday, where the results will have huge repercussions at both the top and bottom of the table. It should be yet another unpredictable and exciting weekend in English football’s fourth tier.