The cavalry charge towards the Second Division play-offs is a mathematical nightmare. The automatic places are safe, though the championship is still at stake. But only one team is safely in the play-offs, and with none of the teams playing each other, clubs will need to keep an ear on four other matches to find out their fate. Mobiles at the ready… TOP OF DIVISION TWO P Pts Gls GD Bristol City* 45 85 68 +31 Watford* 45 85 65 +19 Grimsby@ 45 72 55 +20 Fulham 45 70 59 +18 Northampton 45 70 52 +15 Gillingham 45 69 52 +5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bristol Rovers 45 67 68 +5 Wrexham 45 67 52 +2 *promoted @definitely in play-offs Watford and Bristol City are definitely going up, and Grimsby are in the play-offs but the rest is up for grabs SATURDAY'S GAMES Bristol Rovers v Brentford Rovers need a win but, by virtue of their great lead in goals scored, if Gillingham draw or Fulham or Northampton lose, then that will be enough. Brentford need points, though, as if they lose then they will almost certainly be relegated either Plymouth or Burnley, who play each other, will match their points total or overtake it and have scored more goals currently (see relegation guide). Fulham v Watford Fulham need a draw to be in the play-offs. Watford need a win ideally to keep them in with a shout of the championship if Bristol City drop points, though their goal difference deficit means they'll probably finish second if both teams win. Gillingham v Wigan Gillingham need a win to be sure of the play-offs. A draw leaves them vulnerable to a win from both Bristol Rovers and Wrexham. Grimsby v Oldham Grimsby are only playing for the right to be away in the play-off first legs, the right of the teams in the top two play-off slots. Preston v Bristol City A win for Bristol City and they should have the championship, at least on goals scored. Indeed as long as they do at least as well as Watford, they should be champions. Southend v Wrexham Southend are relegated, so could be soft opponents. But Wrexham need Northampton to lose, or Gillingham to lose or draw, and Bristol Rovers to lose or draw, to sneak in, even if they win. They can't realistically catch Fulham, unless they score an absolute hatful. York v Northampton Northampton need a point to be safely in the play-offs which they won last year, to be promoted to this division. If the Cobblers don't win, they are vulnerable to Bristol Rovers and Wrexham. DIVISION TWO RELEGATION After a season of toil, it all comes down to a head to head between Burnley and Plymouth. Chris Waddle's Lancastrians led 3-1 at Oldham in midweek, but could only draw 3-3. Had they won they would have moved clear of both Brentford and Plymouth, and if they had drawn 4-4 then they would have headed Plymouth on goals scored. As it is… BOTTOM OF DIVISION TWO P Pts Gls GD Brentford 45 50 49 -20 Plymouth 45 49 54 -14 Burnley 45 49 53 -11 Carlisle* 45 44 55 -15 Southend* 45 43 46 -20 * relegated Bristol Rovers v Brentford Brentford are in a hole. If they don't get a point from this game, then as they trail both Plymouth and Burnley on goals scored they will definitely go down for those teams meet, so at least one will get the points to move level or ahead of the Bees' current position. If they win, of course, they are safe, but Bristol Rovers need the points themselves to make the play-offs. The odds are Brentford will go down. Burnley v Plymouth At least one of Plymouth and Burnley will get points. Burnley need to win to stay up, and hope Brentford don't win. A draw could be enough for Plymouth, provided that Brentford's game goes to form and they lose. As much as Sunday's Stoke v Man City game, this is a battle to the death and after the way Burnley threw away a two-goal lead on Tuesday, no-one will count themselves safe until the final whistle.

DIVISION THREE   With the top two places sealed, it looks straightforward but the play-off quartet is any four from five, and four teams also have eyes on the last automatic promotion place. TOP OF DIVISION THREE P Pts Gls Gd Notts County* 45 96 77 36 Macclesfield@ 45 79 60 17 Torquay United$ 45 74 67 10 Lincoln City 45 72 58 8 Colchester 45 71 71 11 Scarborough 45 71 66 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barnet 45 70 60 11 *Champions @Promoted minimum play-off spot Rochdale v Barnet If Barnet fail to win this game, then the four teams in the play-off spots at the start of the day cannot miss out completely, unless Barnet can draw while scoring six more than Scarborough, and Scarborough lose. Leyton Orient v Torquay Torquay need one point to be promoted automatically unless Lincoln win by nine more goals than Torquay score in drawing. If Torquay lose, then both Scarborough and Colchester could overtake them by winning and finishing with a higher goals total and/or better goal difference. Torquay cannot miss out completely, though. Chester v Scarborough A win and Scarborough are in the play-offs. A draw or defeat and they can be overtaken by Barnet if Barnet win. If Torquay lose, and Lincoln and Colchester fail to win, then Scarborough can go up automatically. Lincoln v Brighton Lincoln can be automatically promoted if they win and Torquay lose, or if Lincoln win and score nine more than Torquay if they draw. Unlikely, but Brighton are right at the bottom. If Lincoln draw, and Colchester, Scarborough and Barnet win, then Lincoln could miss out on the play-offs unless it is a high-scoring draw and they close their goals scored gap with the others. If Lincoln lose, and Colchester and Scarborough get at least a point and Barnet win, then Lincoln would probably miss out on the play-offs, with the same proviso on goals scored. Doncaster v Colchester Colchester need to do at least as well as Barnet and Scarborough to be sure of a play-off spot. If Torquay lose, Lincoln fail to win, Scarborough don't win by a hatful and Colchester win then they can go up automatically. They are playing relegated Doncaster, who will want to put up a good show in their last league match but might wilt if they go behind early.

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