Rich men well up for away day

RICHIE WELLENS and Leyton Orient cannot clinch promotion this afternoon – but they can come mighty close if they win at Sutton.

Three points would mean the leaders will only need one more to ensure elevation to League One next season. Last Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Harrogate was a blow but boss Wellens (inset) expects the away end to be bouncing. He said: “Salford and Stockport away are some of the highlights that stick out in my mind for this season, because of the supporters.

“With the amount of tickets we have sold, there should be a real noise.

“Sutton is pretty local and the bigger impact the supporters have, the bigger the impact I have.”

The fight below Orient for the two remaining automatic promotion places has been an intriguing battle.

It is fourth versus second at Brunton Park as Carlisle host Northampton in arguably the game of the day in the fourth tier.

Stevenage, with four draws and a defeat in their last five, are in danger of blowing their chances of avoiding the lottery of the play-offs and face AFC Wimbledon today.

Third spot is currently occupied by in-form Stockport and they face a long trip to Gillingham as they aim for back-to-back promotions.

Bradford, under experienced boss Mark Hughes (inset), are still very much in the fight for the top three ahead of going to resurgent Rochdale.

Hughes said: “You have to embrace these exciting moments.

“It is important to be involved in the business end of the season.

“Rochdale have changed their manager and have done okay in recent weeks.”

Crewe and Walsall and Swindon and Barrow meet, while Grimsby host play-off-chasing Mansfield at Blundell Park.

Crawley could move out of the bottom three with a win over Tranmere but Hartlepool go to Newport looking to pull further clear.

Harrogate welcome Doncaster, while Colchester go to Salford.