THE PROMOTION AND RELEGATION RACE IN LG2
MANSFIELD’s giant defender Aden Flint knows everybody is gunning for the table-topping Stags.
“When you get to the top of the table, you’ve got a target on your back and everyone wants to beat you,” said the centre-back, who last year won promotion from League One on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.
But while everybody is taking aim, can anybody get close enough to take a shot? Stockport and Wrexham have been faltering. Behind them, a host of sides are jockeying for a tilt at promotion.
In fact, with the exception of Swindon, Salford and Doncaster, arguably every team in League Two has something to play for as the season enters the home straight. Here’s how a fascinating run-in shakes down…
PROMOTION-CHASERS
NEAR misses are ten a penny at Mansfield, but could this finally be the year when the Stags see the job through?
Nigel Clough’s side have wobbled recently, racking up as many defeats in the past seven matches (three) pre-weekend as they suffered in the previous 29 contests.
Yet as a 5-1 victory at Bradford last weekend illustrates, they retain the capacity to smash any team to pieces. That victory - which yielded a 19th goal of the season for top-scorer Davis Keillor-Dunn - marked the sixth time this season the Stags have netted four or more goals, a tally that includes last month’s astonishing 9-2 demolition of Harrogate.
“Home and away, we’ve tried to play the same and we’ve tried to attack,” said Clough, whose side began the weekend four points clear at the top. “If we’re good, and we’re on it, we should be okay.”
A visit to Wrexham on Friday is by far the stiffest test awaiting Mansfield; come through that, and their remaining fixtures are relatively gentle.
The Paul Mullin-powered Dragons went into this weekend third, a single point behind familiar foes Stockport. The Hatters won an epic battle for the National League title in 2021-22, but it’s far more than a two-horse race this time round.
MK Dons, pre-season relegation favourites Crewe and surprise-package Barrow are in hot pursuit and will all be scenting blood, with Stockport’s flawless autumn form now a distant memory and Wrexham suddenly struggling for goals.
In truth, nobody looks particularly convincing. Barrow haven’t won away from home since December. MK Dons have beaten Mansfield and Crewe in the last month, yet also lost 1-0 to fourth-bottom Grimsby. Crewe, meanwhile, went into yesterday’s clash with AFC Wimbledon on the back of three defeats in four games.
“The points left to play for are dwindling,” said MK Dons boss Mike Williamson this week. “The occasions feel bigger emotionallyonally as we get closer to the finish line as well. Every game is important now.”
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