A thrilling fight to the finish is in prospect for Salford City as one of eight clubs battling for promotion in the final weeks of the EFL League Two promotion race.
Four teams will be promoted to League One and both automatic and play-off places are still to play for ahead of the upcoming Gameweek 43 fixtures.
Stevenage, Stockport County, Carlisle United, Bradford City, Mansfield Town and Salford City are all in the hunt for promotion, with the Ammies level on points with seventh placed Mansfield but having played one game more than their potential play-off rivals. Leyton Orient are several points clear at the top.
One team will miss out on an illusive play-off place and, with Salford welcoming Hartlepool to the Peninsula Stadium on Tuesday evening, just eight points separate second place Northampton from eighth place Salford City.
Ahead of the run-in we have analysed the race for promotion to League One.
Salford City:
The Ammies find themselves in a tough spot. Having played a game more than Mansfield, Bradford and Stevenage, Salford must hope sides drop points to sneak into the play offs. Level on points with the Stags, Salford are out of the top seven only on goals scored. Salford have arguably the easiest fixtures of the seven sides vying for promotion, only having to play one tricky side in an away match at Carlisle. Concerns for Salford come in its defence, not having kept a clean sheet since January. Conor McAleny and Callum Hendry both have 10 goals this season, and Matt Smith is only one behind them. Salford will need all three firing on full cylinders to give them the best chance to get to Wembley next month.
Fixtures: Hartlepool (H), Walsall (A) Carlisle (A), Gillingham (H).
Mansfield:
The Stags have overtaken Salford in the play-off race last weekend, following their draw against Grimsby. Mansfield have found their goals from a wide range of places, with forwards Danny Johnson, Will Swan and Lucas Akins all having 8+ goals. They are League Two’s top scorers, with 65 goals, just one more than the Ammies. Mansfield have had issues with fellow promotion chasing teams, losing to Northampton and their 5-2 loss against Salford City in February. Mansfield will have to overcome Leyton Orient and Stevenage to secure their play-off spot. With five games left for them to overcome a seven-point deficit to 3rd placed Stevenage, it is unlikely for the Nottinghamshire team to get an automatic spot.
Fixtures: Newport (A), Stevenage (H), Leyton Orient (H), Harrogate (H), Colchester (A).
Bradford City:
Bradford enter the run in off the back of a hot streak. The Bantams have been unbeaten in their last 11 games, and show no signs of slowing down. Their last match was a 3-0 dismantling of last placed Rochdale at Spotland. City are bolstered by League Two top scorer Andy Cook, who has scored 24 league goals. However, they have to face Northampton away, before a final fixture at home against likely champions Leyton Orient, which could be make or break for their promotion odds. Bradford have been fairly consistent, but have at times struggled at home.
Fixtures: Swindon (A), Gillingham (H), Northampton (A), Crewe (A), Leyton Orient (H).
Carlisle Utd:
The Cumbrians were in the promotion places for much of the season, but have been reeled in recently with two losses in their last five. With only one win in their last seven, the Blues have fallen at the worst possible moment for their dreams of League One football next season. Many of their recent results have been tight fixtures against their fellow candidates, including scoreless draws against Northampton, Bradford and Stevenage. Top scorer Kristian Dennis is third in the league, netting 19 and providing 4 assists this term. In their last four games, they play both Stockport and Salford, which will certainly make or break their chances to go up.
Fixtures: Stockport (H), Barrow (A), Salford (H), Sutton (A).
Stockport County:
Stockport will have their eyes firmly fixed on securing an automatic spot and achieving back-to-back promotions after returning to the Football League last year. Dave Challinor’s side are in impressive form, unbeaten in their last nine matches and buoyant after a recent 4-0 win over Newport County. Stockport are just three points off Northampton in 2nd place and face fellow promotion hopefuls Carlisle on Tuesday evening before a local derby at Edgeley Park against Rochdale.
Fixtures: Carlisle (A), Rochdale (H), Leyton Orient (A), Hartlepool (H).
Stevenage:
The Boro also approach the business end of the campaign in decent form and having played one game less than Stockport, know that they control their own destiny despite facing a difficult trip to Mansfield on Saturday. Stevenage edged past AFC Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon courtesy of Jamie Reid’s 61st minute strike. Reid has been directly involved in 13 league goals this season and looks set to play a crucial role on Stevenage’s promotion push.
Northampton:
The Cobblers have been steadily climbing the table of recently, being in last place for the past few weeks. Led by 20-goal Sam Hoskins, they sit 3 points clear of fourth. Their last match ended in a 0-0 draw against Carlisle. Games against Sutton, Tranmere and Harrogate should mean that they should be heading up after two seasons in the division. A big test comes as they face Bradford City at Sixfields.
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