Colchester United edged closer to an unlikely place in the Championship with a 2-0 win over Rotherham United at Layer Road. A Barker own goal didn't help the cause of the Yorkshire side in the 28th minute, which was added to by Yeates in the 52nd minute. Only mathematics is preventing Colchester United's automatic promotion! Colchester United 2nd, Rotherham United 20th.
Both Southend's promotion, and Colchester's near promotion were helped by Brentford letting 3 vital points slip at home to Hartlepool United at Griffin Park. An O'Connor goal in the 83rd minute seemed to be enough until Nelson levelled for United in the 89th minute to give the monkey hangers a precious final-day life line for League One survival! Brentford 3rd, Hartlepool United 21st.
Huddersfield Town are another who are staggering to the end of season play-off in a less than convincing fashion! They helped Yeovil Town guarantee their League One status as the Somerset side claimed the all important 1-2 away win! Graham match have put the home side ahead in the 7th minute, but that didn't stop Jevons claiming a brace in the 65th and 71st minutes - the first coming from the penalty spot. Huddersfield Town 4th, Yeovil Town 16th.
Nottingham Forest are another who are limping towards the finish line as they saw their play-off chances dented by a resolute AFC Bournemouth - the point guaranteed AFCB's League One status. Steve Fletcher put the Cherries ahead in the 48th minute, before a low Tyson drive levelled things in the 55th. The Cherries 'keeper pulled of 3 top-draw saves to deny Forest a vital win! Nottingham Forest 7th, AFC Bournemouth 18th.
Doncaster Rovers finished off any lingering chances Oldham Athletic had of claiming a play-off place with a single goal victory at Belle Vue. Coppinger scored the only goal of the game in the 65th minute. Doncaster Rovers 8th, Oldham Athletic 10th.
I expect that Bristol City fans enjoyed themselves at the expense of Swindon Town as they confirmed the relegation of Swindon to League Two for next season! A draw was enough to see Swindon slip a level even though Brown put the Wiltshire side ahead. It was not enough as Cotterill levelled in the 67th. Bristol City 9th, Swindon Town 23rd (r).
Scunthorpe United gave Blackpool something to think about on the final day of the season as the home side won 1-0! A Sharp goal in the 90th minute means that Blackpool will only go down if a series of fluke results, and a heavy defeat for themselves occurs elsewhere. Scunthorpe United 12th, Blackpool 19th.
Chesterfield are finishing the season on a sorry note, their latest defeat came at Vale Park against Port Vale as the Potteries side looks to finish in mid-table. O'Hara had put the Spirites in front in the 2nd minute. Pilkington levelled in the 4th, and then put the hom side in front in the 14th minute. Cummins secured the 3-1 win and the 3 points with a strike in the 80th minute. Port Vale 13th, Chesterfield 15th.
Gillingham were given a reminder of a former loan player (who seems to have played for most of League One this season) as Steve Claridge scored the only goal of the game at Priestfield for Walsall in the 55th minute. Gillingham 14th, Walsall 24th (r).
Tranmere Rovers will be the toast of League One as they put the brakes on the chances of Franchise FC of escaping the drop! Three goals in the final seconds of the game settled matters in favour of Rovers. A Partridge own goal in the 89th minute seemed to gift the points to Rovers. Then McLeod levelled seconds later before a last gasp Facey goal secured Tranmere's League One status for next season. It also sets up a fascinating winner takes all encounter away to Rotherham United next weekend! Franchise FC 22nd, Tranmere Rovers 17th.
Finally, Barnsley (5th) and Bradford City (11th) battled away for a 0-0 draw. The point keeps Barnsley in a play-off place ....... just. They have got to beat Walsall (a) next weekend to be in the end of season shake up!