League One: Third tier set for final day drama at top and bottom of division

League One: Third tier set for final day drama at top and bottom of division


Officially speaking, only one of the four relegation spots have been resolved going into the final day.

However, Doncaster’s goal difference means that they are already effectively relegated. Rovers travel to Oxford needing to win, the three teams immediately above them to lose and enjoy a 28-goal swing in their favour.

Understandably, boss Gary McSheffrey is already planning for next season in League Two.

“We’ve obviously run out of games. I feel we’ve got a consistency to our performance level and the boys have got the messages we’ve been delivering. It’s frustrating but at the same time it’s good that the momentum is there a little bit,” he told BBC Radio Sheffield.

“I said numerous times that we had our opportunities. We can’t focus on what ifs. We have to be positive.

“With some tweaks I think we’ve got a capable squad to bounce right back.”

AFC Wimbledon, winless in the league since December, are going to need to win handsomely against Accrington and will hope both Gillingham and Fleetwood lose if they are to extend their stay in the third tier. Possible but unlikely.

So the real battle looks to be between Gillingham, Fleetwood and Morecambe, with one of them certain to end the day a League Two club.

The Shrimps have the advantage mathematically, as they sit two points above the Cod Army and the Gills, who are separated by goal difference alone.

But the fact that Neil Harris’s Gillingham host a Rotherham side needing a win to ensure their promotion and the Shrimps welcome a Sunderland team in need of a result to guarantee a play-off spot only increases the stakes.

“We have put ourselves in a position now where we know all the permutations that will allow us to have another season in League One,” Morecambe boss Derek Adams told BBC Radio Lancashire.

“We understand what we have to do and understand that other teams can help us.

“They (Sunderland) are the same as us, it’s a similar scenario where we want to get the three points which will enable us to have a League One future next season.

“We’ve only had one defeat at home in the last eight games. We understand that Sunderland are on a 12-game unbeaten run, but we are really confident at home. We have a huge backing, a sell-out crowd for the game. We are all thoroughly looking forward to that.”

For Gills captain Stuart O’Keefe, there is a “feeling of excitement” around the MEMS Priestfield Stadium.

“Everyone knows everything’s on this game, it’s a cup final and it’s got that cup final feel about the place,” he told BBC Radio Kent.

“We also know that Rotherham have got everything on the game as well, so I think that itself will create an atmosphere that you want to play in and I think everyone’s thriving off that around the club.”

Fleetwood, who have won three times this year, visit Bolton who might not have anything left to play for but have won 13 of their past 21 games.

“It’s a one-game season now, it’s still in our own hands,” Fleetwood boss Stephen Crainey told BBC Radio Lancashire. “If we go to Bolton and win, we stay in this league regardless of what happens anywhere else.

“We need to focus on what we do, and make sure we turn up on the day.

“Hopefully we can be brave, take the ball in tight areas and handle the occasion, dominate the game and get the three points.”

Who will end up joining Crewe Alexandra in League Two next year?

Compiled by BBC Sport’s Ian Woodcock



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