Gillingham will be cheering on Mansfield Town from afar tonight before their game against them on Saturday.
It’s one of several key fixtures in League 2 which will have a bearing on Gillingham’s own play-off hopes.
Those hopes are hanging by a thread, but a win over Barrow on Saturday and a defeat for rivals Crawley has left the door slightly ajar.
Stephen Clemence’s men need to win their last two games to stand any chance of making it and they head to third-placed Mansfield on Saturday.
The Stags – managed by experienced coach Nigel Clough, who has just been named League 2 manager-of-the-season at the annual Football League awards – play tonight at home to Accrington. A win will secure their promotion ahead of Gillingham’s weekend visit.
“I am hoping they do that and go out drinking all week and it might be an easier game for us!” joked the Gills boss.
Gillingham won’t want to be heading to Mansfield and facing a team that still needs a win to secure their promotion, on what will be the final regular home game of the season for Clough’s men.
Elsewhere the Gills will be taking a keen eye on the games involving the teams in and around the play-off positions.
Crawley host Barrow while Walsall – who could move above the Gills with a win – are at home to Swindon.
League 2 table
There are plenty of ways the Gills could miss out on the play-offs and their top-seven target but that slim hope remains.
Clemence will certainly be keeping an eye on the results and said: “I am delighted (to have a chance) but if we don’t take care of our business it doesn’t matter anyway does it?
“I am always looking at results, I always have football on in my flat in Gillingham, much to my wife’s disliking!
“Of course, I will be looking at results and I will be wanting certain ones to go our way.”
The Gills finish the season next Saturday (April 27) at home to form-team Doncaster Rovers, a side who have shot towards the play-offs themselves thanks to a run of eight successive victories, including a 4-0 win over Accrington at the weekend.
Doncaster play their game in hand next Tuesday, away at relegation-threatened Colchester United. Barrow host Bradford City on the same night.
Of those fellow play-off chasers, AFC Wimbledon are struggling for wins, with just one in their last six, while Barrow have now lost their last three and both Crawley and Walsall have had back to back defeats.
Gillingham’s minus 10 goal difference means they are at an extra disadvantage as that will go against them if they are tied on points with any of the other teams.
