Destiny awaits Bristol Rovers and although Saturday's clash with Scunthorpe United is something of a free hit, given play-offs have been secured, the Gas know they have an excellent opportunity to secure promotion.
The anxiety built up prior to the Rochdale game has been banished by that thrilling 4-3 victory and now Rovers can enjoy a sell-out crowd at the Mem and a chance to finish the regular season on a high, hopefully with the added bonus of securing third place.
They are, to some degree, reliant on events elsewhere - particularly in Barrow as they welcome Northampton - but even more so if they cannot find a way past the already-relegated Iron. Here's a round-up of news featuring Rovers' three main rivals for promotion and their opposition this weekend...
Cobblers sweat on McGowan
Northampton Town could be without first-choice right-back Aaron McGowan for their crucial trip to Barrow on the final day of the season.
McGowan has started 42 of a possible 45 games for the Cobblers this term but is a major doubt for Saturday’s encounter after injuring his leg against Exeter City and leaving the stadium on crutches with manager Jon Brady now waiting on scan results.
Northampton lie third in League Two, level on points with Bristol Rovers but with a five-goal advantage in terms of goal difference.
“We will see what comes back. To have him available would be great and if we don’t, it will be disappointing but we will adjust,” Brady told the Northampton Chronicle . "As far as I’m aware everyone else is OK at the minute. We are all fine.”
Clough switches focus
Mansfield manager Nigel Clough has all-but accepted automatic promotion may be out of their reach, urging his side to think about securing a play-off place following a disappointing 2-2 draw with Salford City.
The Stags would have leapfrogged Rovers and Northampton with a win on Bank Holiday Monday but instead were held meaning their automatic promotion fate is no longer in their hands as they face Forest Green Rovers, who are bidding for the title, on Saturday.
Mansfield are also yet to guarantee a play-off position as defeat at Field Mill would leave them in danger of falling out of the top seven, should Port Vale, Swindon Town and Sutton United win.
“With Bristol Rovers getting the late winner last Saturday, we needed two wins to get automatics,” Clough said. “There is no point in looking back at it now and we are where we are.
“It is a very exciting end to the season for everyone. The [other] scores will not matter to us too much. We will have a look at them [the scores] at half-time and we will go from there.
“A point or three will guarantee a play-off spot and that is what we need to focus on.”
Garrity tries to galvanise wounded Vale
Port Vale midfielder Ben Garrity insists his team are not feeling the pressure after three straight defeats has seen them fall out of the bottom three and in danger of even missing out on a play-off position.
On Good Friday, Vale were third, five points clear and in the box seat for promotion but losses to Rovers, Walsall and Newport County has dropped them down to sixth and they need at least a point against title-chasing Exeter City this weekend to secure a spot in the top seven, unless Sutton United lose. Automatic promotion remains mathematically possible but requires defeats for Rovers and Northampton, and Mansfield not to win.
“It is not really pressure because pressure is if you are down the bottom fighting against relegation,” Garrity told Stoke Live . “This opportunity might never come around again.
“The staff and players didn’t think it (promotion) was done. We knew we had some tough games coming up and had to win every game, taking each game as it comes. But we have dropped off since then haven’t we? So, I couldn’t tell you why, it is just disappointing and we have to look to the next game.”
Nuttall apologies for swearing at fans
Scunthorpe United striker Joe Nuttall has apologised to Iron fans for swearing at them after he was jeered for missing a chance against Hartlepool United last weekend.
Nuttall, who joined the club in January, spurned at opportunity in the first half in what was Scunthorpe’s final game at Glanford Park this season as they prepare for life in the National League.
After swearing at supporters he was immediately substituted by manager Keith Hill and has since taken to social media to issue an apology, with Scunthorpe’s final assignment of a tortuous season being Saturday’s trip to the Mem against Rovers.
“I would like to wholeheartedly apologise to all supporters of Scunthorpe United for my actions during Saturday's gamey,” Nuttall wrote as reported by Grimsby Live.
“It's been a frustrating and disappointing period for everyone at the club, including myself on a personal level since arriving here in January, and while this cannot be used to condone my actions or be used as an excuse, I let my frustration levels get the better of me, something I completely regret."
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