The Countdown Is On Ahead Of An Exciting Saturday!

Some want to exit via one end while many are clinging onto the hope that they don’t have to depart from the other. In both directions it’s a weekend packed full of big matches as the clock ticks down to late April.

The countdown is nearly on for Chesterfield and if they win for an 18th time in a row at home this weekend, their fans will already be plotting where to hold their title party.

But it’s Southend United next and they are one of the few teams this term to beat the leaders, who hold a 13 point advantage with two games in hand.

For most of their promotion rivals, they already accept it’s about where they finish - and trying to grab a play-off advantage.

Bromley boss Andy Woodman will demand a top three placing and home semi-final advantage but won’t be pleased with a lot of recent dropped points. They are at AFC Fylde while Barnet, who are three points behind, travel to out-of-form Gateshead.

Oldham Athletic, pictured, are second in the form guide after four impressive wins and face Woking, who have won once since October. Cards manager Michael Doyle said after their narrow defeat to Chesterfield in midweek: “If we play like that, we’re going to win more matches than we lose, that’s for sure.”

York City are now eight National League matches undefeated and that’s bad news for Hartlepool United, with Kevin Phillips admitting he’s got a lot of work to do after another home defeat on Tuesday.

They lost to Kidderminster, whose new manager Phil Brown has given the club a fighting chance of survival. They’re at Dagenham & Redbridge while there’s a huge match down the bottom between Oxford City and Ebbsfleet United with both in serious danger of going straight back down.

There’s also a big play-off battle as Aldershot Town host Rochdale while Altrincham are sixth and face an Eastleigh side fresh from Wednesday’s 4-4 draw at Boreham Wood. Luke Garrard’s team, meanwhile, welcome Dorking Wanderers with both sides looking worryingly below.

Wealdstone hope their pitch problems are over as they host FC Halifax Town while Maidenhead United look to end a four game winless sequence when Solihull Moors pay them a visit.

For all Saturday’s National League fixtures, click here.