Bristol Rovers promotion rival dismisses auto chances as Northampton, Port Vale & Mansfield bosses differ in opinion

Northampton Town, Bristol Rovers, Mansfield, Port Vale and Swindon Town can all still be promoted automatically
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Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough has consigned his side to the League Two play-offs, picking out Bristol Rovers’ dramatic win over Rochdale as one of the main reasons.

The Stags were held to a 2-2 draw by Salford City, who’s own promotion hopes were brought to an end, as they are now unable to reach the play-offs.

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Mansfield require just a point on the final day to extend their season by at least a further two games, but they face Forest Green Rovers, who are still chasing the League Two title.

Clough’s side are just a point off of Bristol Rovers in fifth but he suspects that the Gas will have enough to defeat basement side Scunthorpe United at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Rovers’ sensational comeback in over Rochdale coupled with Mansfield’s failure to secure maximum points against Salford, is the exact reason why the son of Brian, has consigned himself to a further two games.

Nigel Clough believes Mansfield Town can’t catch up with Bristol Rovers now. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)Nigel Clough believes Mansfield Town can’t catch up with Bristol Rovers now. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
Nigel Clough believes Mansfield Town can’t catch up with Bristol Rovers now. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

“Is it a point that we need to guarantee the play-offs? It’ll be not to lose the game,” said the 56-year-old.

“You can’t play for a draw so it’s perfect clarity.

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“It would have been nice to have a chance with the automatics, but obviously with Bristol Rovers fixture at home to Scunthorpe that is highly highly unlikely now.

“Anything can happen on the final day, Bristol Rovers are 3-1, 3-2 down with a few minutes to go and come back. Funny things happen on the final day but we’ve just to make sure we do our job.

“It’s about us and what we do. Players are in there disappointed because realistically we haven’t got a chance of the automatics now.

“That’s finished, that’s gone, we’ve got four days to get over it, clear your heads and get ready for Saturday.”

Northampton Town are the team with the target on their back. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)Northampton Town are the team with the target on their back. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
Northampton Town are the team with the target on their back. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
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Four teams can still achieve automatic promotion, ranging from Northampton in third to Swindon Town in seventh.

Fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth however can still qualify for the play-offs which leaves for a dramatic final day where teams fighting for third could end up not even competing in the play-offs

In the driving seat is Northampton Town, who despite a 1-1 draw with title chasing Exeter City, are in third place. They are away against Phil Brown’s Barrow on the final day, who are 21st.

The Cobblers are ahead of Rovers on goal difference with five goals separating the two with a less prolific attack but a more sturdy defence with just 37 goals conceded, the league’s best.

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Northampton, like Rovers were relegated from League One last season but despite their recent third-tier status, the belief at the club is they have already exceeded expectations.

“They are a group not expected to be where we are right now,” said their manager Jon Brady after their draw with Exeter.

“In my eyes, they’re a group of winners in what they done. I’ll keep fighting, working and now they want to get the job done.

“The belief is really strong and I believe if results go our way, I believe we can do it.”

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Ever since suffering an Easter Monday defeat to Rovers, Port Vale’s push has been derailed with two consecutive defeats coming after the dramatic scenes at Vale Park.

Vale are now fourth in the pecking order for an automatic spot and are in sixth place, two points behind Northampton, having been in the promotion picture for some time.

A 2-1 defeat to Newport County on Bank Holiday Monday was the latest blow to the Valiants’ promotion push with their fate now out of their hands.

They are away at St James Park to new league leaders Exeter City who are fighting for the league title and their boss refused to be drawn on the permutations of what could happen to their season with a coy approach.

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“We’ve got ourselves to this stage and we’re trying to finish the job,” said interim manager Andy Crosby.

“We have to go to Exeter now and focus on how to get three points.

“I think it comes with experience and who you surround yourself with. Forget all the noise, forget all the other teams and that is what we have to do.

“There are a lot of could’s there isn’t there? Ifs, buts and maybe’s. If we go to Exeter and prepare like we have done all season to try and win then we will see where that takes us.”

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