Shakers facing anxious final day
BURY go into tomorrow’s final game of the season still unsure of their League One survival.
A defeat at play-off chasing Southend, combined with wins for Gillingham and Port Vale – at Northampton Town and Fleetwood Town respectively – would see the Shakers drop down to League Two.
Despite their uncomfortable position, Bury boss Lee Clarke insists his side are looking up the table and have taken confidence from recent results against the division’s top teams.
He said: “If we can win at Southend, and a few other results go our way, then we could finish three or four places higher, which is what we are thinking.
“There’s tension from both teams involving our game. Southend have to win the game probably to have any chance of getting into the play-offs, that’s been their aspiration all season. There’ll be an expecting crowd, but we have our own issues to deal with.
“It’s just like Bolton a few weeks ago. They were second top and if they would’ve got the three points there it would’ve moved them closer.
“Taking that valuable point that night tells me that we can go to these places and get results. Not that long ago we got a result at Millwall too.”
Unless there is a sensational swing in goal difference, BOLTON WANDERERS will be promoted back to the Championship if they avoid defeat at home to Peterborough United.
Phil Parkinson’s side hold a two-point and eight-goal advantage over nearest rivals Fleetwood, but posh beat Bolton 1-0 when they met earlier this season.
Ten points from three games have kept ROCHDALE’s slim hopes of reaching the play-offs alive. Dale know they need to beat Bradford City, a side who have confirmed their place in the top six, while other results have to go their way too.
If Southend and Millwall fail to pick up a win, with the latter travelling to Bristol Rovers, then three points would see Dale in the play-offs.
OLDHAM have already secured their place in League One for another year but could finish anywhere between 16th and 19th, bar a heavy goal difference swing, as they travel to midtable AFC Wimbledon.
WIGAN ATHLETIC need a minor miracle to extend their survival hopes until the final weekend of the Championship.
The Latics must win at play-off hopefuls Reading to give themselves any chance.