Leaders Swindon are not in League Two action this weekend, but the scrap for promotion and battle to avoid relegation is set to intensify.
Battle at the top and bottom expected to go to the wire
Leaders Swindon Town are not in League Two action this weekend, but the scrap for promotion and battle to avoid relegation is set to intensify.
Swindon face Chesterfield in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on Sunday and hold a seven-point advantage over Torquay United, however, only five points separate second from sixth, while the bottom seven are covered by the same figure.
The weekend's programme starts on Friday evening as two clubs fighting to stay in the Football League meet as
Macclesfield Town play host to
Barnet.
Torquay were beaten by Swindon in midweek, but will be confident of tightening their grip on second position when mid-table
Port Vale make the trek to Plainmoor.
Shrewsbury Town moved into third with victory over promotion rivals Cheltenham Town in midweek, but have a mixed away record ahead of their game at
Morecambe.
Southend United's inconsistent home form cost them again in midweek, but Paul Sturrock's side are the best on the road in the division ahead of a trip to
Bristol Rovers.
Crawley Town are starting to hit their stride again after successive wins and will aim to maintain their promotion push with three points at home to
Rotherham United.
Cheltenham have lost four games in a row to drop down to sixth in the standings and could be joined on 64 points by weekend opponents
Oxford United depending on the outcome at Whaddon Road.
Crewe Alexandra will be hoping Oxford fail to win to boost their own play-off ambitions and an eight-match unbeaten run is on the line at second bottom
Hereford United.
Dagenham & Redbridge are still propping up the Football League after twice surrendering the lead at Barnet in midweek and now entertain
Accrington Stanley.
Plymouth Argyle have picked up seven points from four games to move out of the relegation zone and travel to
Northampton Town, who are not yet out of the woods.
Bradford City are also mired in the relegation battle and will be looking for a boost at home to a
Gillingham side boasting five wins in seven games.
The departure of Paul Peschisolido failed to provide
Burton Albion with any fresh impetus after a midweek home defeat and the Brewers are now away to
AFC Wimbledon.
