It’s getting tense at the top of Sky Bet League Two. Sporting Life’s Tom Carnduff previews the latest round of games.
The league leaders Lincoln get things underway on Friday night as Yeovil are the visitors to Sincil Bank.
The Imps are now unbeaten in their last ten in all competitions, although six of those games have ended in draws. Regardless, they are still picking up points.
Yeovil ended their run of six consecutive defeats by posting back-to-back victories against Morecambe and Cambridge. That sets this up to be a game that could go either way.
Another promotion hopeful in Tranmere are also in action on Friday night, looking to continue their fine run of form.
They’ve won four of their last five, drawing the other, which has moved them back up to sixth. Rovers will be wanting another win against a Crewe side looking to snap a three-game winless run.
Bury are one of the division’s other form sides. Ryan Lowe’s men are now unbeaten in their last 12 league games, five of their last six away also being wins.
That puts them in a good place at Stevenage, who have struggled for consistency this season. They have picked up points in two of their last three games though.
Battling Lincoln and Bury for top spot is Mansfield, who recovered from a recent blip by posting consecutive wins.
The Stags will be wanting another win against Port Vale, who are battling against the drop. They halted a losing run with a draw against Notts County in their last game, leaving them four points clear of the relegation zone. To back a Port Vale win, click HERE.
Looking to close that gap is Macclesfield, who have the tough task of facing an MK Dons side with four wins in a row.
Sol Campbell’s side enjoyed a run of three games that returned points, although they were beaten by Bury last time out.
In the spot below MK is Exeter. They have experienced mixed fortunes in recent weeks but remain in the play-off places.
Northampton may sit in 16th, but they have enjoyed a number of good results recently and that has pushed them up the table, meaning it will be far from an easy game for the promotion hopefuls away from home.
Despite four defeats in their last five, Forest Green remain in the top-seven on goal difference and will be looking to return to winning ways away at Morecambe.
The Shrimps are also looking for three points after consecutive defeats. A win here could move them eight points clear of relegation.
The team at the bottom is still Notts County. They are five points adrift of safety and are without a win in three.
They did win in their recent away game at Forest Green though and will try and use that confidence as they go to Cheltenham.
Colchester will be looking to move back into the play-off places as they take on Newport, who are still within touching distance of the promotion places despite sitting in 12th.
The U’s have the eighth-best home record in the division and have picked up points in their last two games in front of their own fans.
Newport, on the other hand, are looking to improve their record on the road. Although they did pick up a win against Notts a couple of weeks ago.
Elsewhere, Grimsby will be looking to continue their outsider push for the play-offs as they go to a Crawley side who are searching for a win.
The Mariners have won four of their last six and could return to winning ways following defeat against Cambridge. Crawley meanwhile, are aiming for that first victory in five.
Cambridge will be aiming to build on that win as they host Oldham. Paul Scholes’ men are winless in their last four but did grab a draw against Stevenage in their last game.
Cambridge have moved away from immediate relegation trouble and now sit nine points clear of Macclesfield in 23rd, although they know they still need points at this stage in the season.
Carlisle are another side who could move into the play-offs with a win, although Swindon have top-seven aspirations of their own.
United have struggled for results in recent weeks but still remain a point off, while Town’s great form has pushed them into contention.