The Run In

With the Silkmen still in need of points to ensure their League Two survival next season, we have a look at the matches remaining for the other clubs in the bottom places. Who is going to take the drop.

Again, we will ignore Darlington as they need eight wins from their remaining 10 games just to overtake the Silkmen. They still have to play Bournemouth and Rochdale away and Notts County at home. It`s hard to see what is more unlikely – Darlington turning into Real Madrid, or the Silkmen not taking another point all season.

Grimsby are the team to watch as the current inhabitants of the 23rd position. They also have a tough task of needing four wins from the eight matches they have left. But they don`t face any of the clear frontrunners in the remaining games. Their run in consists of home matches against Northampton, Chesterfield, Torquay, Barnet. The first two looking the toughest as the latter could be firmly in the ‘nothing to play for` category.

The away trips are similar with a difficult match at promotion outsiders Accrington followed by Darlington and mid-table Burton. In the assumed world of the Silkmen losing every game, it`s not impossible that Grimsby could catch us.

Next is Cheltenham, seven points – two wins and a draw – required from nine matches. They look to have the toughest final matches of the three. Away from home it`s not impossible to imagine them not taking another point as they visit Crewe, Shrewsbury, Rotherham and Notts County. The home form seems marginally easier, but still touch and go whether they could manage the three unbeaten required. Lincoln, Bury, Darlington, Aldershot and Accrington still to come to Whaddon Road.

But realistically, the Silkmen are unlikely to end the season on a run of eight defeats. With home games against Aldershot, Burton Albion, Chesterfield and Darlington and away visits to Bradford, Barnet, Torquay and Lincoln there are certainly plenty of possibilities for picking up points along the way.

Whilst keeping half an eye on the relegation battle, the run in the Silkmen have – with only three of the eight in with any chance of promotion and little in the way of relegation threatened sides – should see them looking for a decent haul to finish in the highest place for five years.

Going down? Lookig at the remaining games, almost certainly not Macc. Given the toughness of their remaining fixtures it`s looking like Grimsby might be able to edge past Cheltenham sending the Robins back to the Conference.