And they're off.... the final act of a potentially pivotal day of EFL action is under way.
Teams are out...
Stockport v MK Dons
Dave Challinor and Stockport are going for this and Edgeley Park is buzzing...
Kick-off is moments away
Stockport hoping to finish strong, while MK are waiting to pounce
Stockport v MK Dons (17:15 GMT)
Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features
Is the sun setting on Stockport's title hopes?Image caption: Is the sun setting on Stockport's title hopes?
The race for the League Two title
is becoming a bit like the end of that triathlon where Jonny Brownlee’s legs
start to buckle and his brother Alistair comes round the bend wondering what on
earth is going on…
This time, though it's all of the leading pack who seem to be tripping over themselves not to be the first ones to the finishing line which is giving hope to the likes of MK that they might ghost in to take the tape.
While the title remains in their hands, given their two games in hand, Stockport were breaking records
before Christmas and with their scintillating form and 12-match winning streak looked nailed on for the
title, but when the decorations came down, seemingly so did their hopes.
After taking 28 points from a
possible 33 at home to start the season, they have bagged just five more from
their next four fixtures at Edgeley Park and have drawn four of their last five
in total.
MK Dons don’t look to be the best
visitors for them this evening as they have won their last four games at
Stockport – if they make it five it will be the first time the have ever won
five straight away games against any EFL side.
The Hatters will hope MK’s patchy
away form continues, however. They have taken six points from their last six
matches on their travels but four of those ended in defeat without scoring.
County won the reverse
fixture 2-1 and will be looking to claim a first ever league double over MK
Dons. If they can do that they will open up a four-point advantage on MK, with a better goal difference and two games in hand.
If they lose then MK will leapfrog them into the automatic promotion places with just six games to go.
Six-pointers don't come much bigger than this...
League Two full-time headlines
#bbcefl
Wrexham ease past Grimsby 3-1 to close within three points of leaders Mansfield and into second above Stockport who kick off at 17:15 GMT
Sutton move off the bottom and within a point of safety after a huge 3-1 win at home to Accrington.
Taking their place at the foot of the EFL is Forest Green who went down 2-0 at Doncaster
Barrow hang on to beat Newport 1-0 to strengthen their hold on a play-off place
Crewe lose momentum in their bid for automatic promotion as they draw 1-1 with AFC Wimbledon
Crawley climb up into the final play-off spot as they wrap up an eighth away win of the season, 3-1 at Tranmere
Gillingham sit just behind them, on goal difference, after fighting back to win 3-2 at fellow play-off hopefuls Morecambe
Notts County slumped to a fifth straight home defeat as Salford win 2-1 through Conor McAleny’s double
FULL-TIME
Northampton 1-0 Derby
What a win for Northampton!
A dent in Derby's hopes of catching League One leaders Portsmouth who remain five points behind.
Sam Hoskins with the only goal of the game for the Cobblers who have never beaten Derby in 13 meetings in all competitions.
They move up to 11th and end a run of two defeats in row before today's game.
FULL-TIME
Carlisle 2-2 Stevenage
Terence Vancooten with the last kick of the game salvages a point for Stevenage at Carlisle.
The Cumbrians were 2-0 up but come away from this feeling like they should have won this one.
Promotion-chasers Stevenage are now winless in their last five games.
Frustrating day for Derby worsens as it is nearly over
Northampton 1-0 Derby
Eric Steele
Former Derby and Man Utd goalkeeper on BBC Radio Derby
A red card for Sonny Bradley. Pure frustration, it looks like he has thrown the head in, you cannot do that.
That is a massive blow.
I have to say the referee has allowed a lot of that to happen though throughout the game.
Derby's day is done.
RED CARD Sonny Bradley (Derby)
Northampton 1-0 Derby
Sonny Bradley is sent-off very deep into added time.
It looks like an off-the-ball incident and the ref shows the Derby man a straight red.
Not long at all left now.
FULL-TIME
Crewe 1-1 AFC Wimbledon
A point won, or two dropped? We'll know in May.
Neither side will be overly happy with the draw. Crewe have seen their lead over the chasing pack slashed, though they are within three points of Stockport and the final automatic promotion place, temporarily at least. The Dons have slipped to ninth, out of the play-off places.
All the action came in the opening 13 minutes as John-Kymani Gordon slotted the visitors ahead on two minutes before Rio Adebisi lashed the leveller soon after.
11 points from five games for Barrow
FT: Barrow 1-0 Newport
Adam Johnson
BBC Radio Cumbria Sport
Barrow have continued that unbeaten run.
Since returning to winning ways against Gillingham on the 5 March they have 11 points from five games, closing the gap on the automatic promotion places above them.
A very much wind-affected game here but Barrow are the winners.
GOAL: Carlisle 2-2 Stevenage
Terence Vancooten (90+6 mins)
Late, late, late drama.
It's heartbreak for Carlisle.
In the last kick of the game Terence Vancooten fires it in for Stevenage to come back from two goals down.
FULL-TIME
Burton 0-1 Port Vale
Big win for Port Vale thanks to Ryan Loft's late goal.
Vale were second from bottom in League One before kick off and still sit in the relegation places but move up to 21st.
This is their first win of the year.
Burton have now failed to win any of their last seven league games.
Post update
FT: Crewe 1-1 AFC Wimbledon
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Wimbledon will be more pleased than Crewe are, though both have had decent opportunities to win this game.
Both sides have given a lot of effort, probably missing a little quality in front of goal.
They both huffed and puffed to try and find a winner, but nothing doing.
FULL-TIME
Barrow 1-0 Newport
A fourth straight clean sheet at home has ensured the points for Barrow. That's 11 in 15 games at Holker Street. Incredible.
They spurned a glut of chances to increase their lead, and rode their luck on a couple of occasions, but Cole Stockton's fierce angled strike on 20 minutes has kept them sixth and taken them within four points of the automatic promotion places, for at least a couple of hours.
Post update
Crewe 1-1 AFC Wimbledon
Peter Morse
Sports Journalist on BBC Radio Stoke
They have tried so hard Crewe, to almost bash their way through this Wimbledon team at times.
'Wrexham have just toyed with Town really'
FT: Grimsby 1-3 Wrexham
Gary Croft
Former Grimsby defender on BBC Radio Humberside
Town fans were streaming out since the last minute of stoppage time.
They struggled to create anything, no real chances.
After that Wrexham have just toyed with Town really.
They worked hard to not give Town any space.
If the goal had come 20 minutes earlier it could have been different.
Post update
Northampton 1-0 Derby
Northampton still have the lead as we come towards full time but they have 10 minutes of added time to see this one out.
FULL-TIME
Grimsby 1-3 Wrexham
Wrexham had lost four of their last five at Grimsby. Not today.
Andy Cannon's double and Paul Mullin's excellent finish before the break were enough to ensure Arthur Gnahoua's late reply was a mere consolation.
Grimsby's six-match unbeaten streak is over. Wrexham are three points off the top of League Two.
CLOSE!
Grimsby 1-3 Wrexham
Grimsby doing their best to set up a tense finale and Justin Obikwu has somehow turned the ball over the bar from close range after a low cross was flashed across the face of goal.
Into stoppage time we go. Surely the visitors have enough.
League Two latest
#bbcefl
Danilo Orsi had a goal chalked off in the first half, but was not to be denied and his 16th of the season puts Crawley 3-1 up at Tranmere.
As it stands they are moving into the play-off places.
Just behind them are Gillingham who have fought back from trailing twice to go 3-2 up at Morecambe through Connor Mahoney's neat finish.
And in a busy few minutes Richard Keogh's own goal has put Doncaster 2-0 up against Forest Green who look to be going bottom.
Jake Bickerstaff has pulled one back for Accrington at Sutton who lead 3-1, and Notts County look to be heading for a fourth straight home defeat as Conor McAleny's second puts Salford 2-1 up.
Live Reporting
Chris Harby, Deepak Mahay, Alex Hoad and Harry Everett
All times stated are UK
KICK-OFF
Stockport 0-0 MK Dons
And they're off.... the final act of a potentially pivotal day of EFL action is under way.
Teams are out...
Stockport v MK Dons
Dave Challinor and Stockport are going for this and Edgeley Park is buzzing...
Kick-off is moments away
Stockport hoping to finish strong, while MK are waiting to pounce
Stockport v MK Dons (17:15 GMT)
The race for the League Two title is becoming a bit like the end of that triathlon where Jonny Brownlee’s legs start to buckle and his brother Alistair comes round the bend wondering what on earth is going on…
This time, though it's all of the leading pack who seem to be tripping over themselves not to be the first ones to the finishing line which is giving hope to the likes of MK that they might ghost in to take the tape.
While the title remains in their hands, given their two games in hand, Stockport were breaking records before Christmas and with their scintillating form and 12-match winning streak looked nailed on for the title, but when the decorations came down, seemingly so did their hopes.
After taking 28 points from a possible 33 at home to start the season, they have bagged just five more from their next four fixtures at Edgeley Park and have drawn four of their last five in total.
MK Dons don’t look to be the best visitors for them this evening as they have won their last four games at Stockport – if they make it five it will be the first time the have ever won five straight away games against any EFL side.
The Hatters will hope MK’s patchy away form continues, however. They have taken six points from their last six matches on their travels but four of those ended in defeat without scoring.
County won the reverse fixture 2-1 and will be looking to claim a first ever league double over MK Dons. If they can do that they will open up a four-point advantage on MK, with a better goal difference and two games in hand.
If they lose then MK will leapfrog them into the automatic promotion places with just six games to go.
Six-pointers don't come much bigger than this...
League Two full-time headlines
#bbcefl
FULL-TIME
Northampton 1-0 Derby
What a win for Northampton!
A dent in Derby's hopes of catching League One leaders Portsmouth who remain five points behind.
Sam Hoskins with the only goal of the game for the Cobblers who have never beaten Derby in 13 meetings in all competitions.
They move up to 11th and end a run of two defeats in row before today's game.
FULL-TIME
Carlisle 2-2 Stevenage
Terence Vancooten with the last kick of the game salvages a point for Stevenage at Carlisle.
The Cumbrians were 2-0 up but come away from this feeling like they should have won this one.
Promotion-chasers Stevenage are now winless in their last five games.
Frustrating day for Derby worsens as it is nearly over
Northampton 1-0 Derby
Eric Steele
Former Derby and Man Utd goalkeeper on BBC Radio Derby
A red card for Sonny Bradley. Pure frustration, it looks like he has thrown the head in, you cannot do that.
That is a massive blow.
I have to say the referee has allowed a lot of that to happen though throughout the game.
Derby's day is done.
RED CARD Sonny Bradley (Derby)
Northampton 1-0 Derby
Sonny Bradley is sent-off very deep into added time.
It looks like an off-the-ball incident and the ref shows the Derby man a straight red.
Not long at all left now.
FULL-TIME
Crewe 1-1 AFC Wimbledon
A point won, or two dropped? We'll know in May.
Neither side will be overly happy with the draw. Crewe have seen their lead over the chasing pack slashed, though they are within three points of Stockport and the final automatic promotion place, temporarily at least. The Dons have slipped to ninth, out of the play-off places.
All the action came in the opening 13 minutes as John-Kymani Gordon slotted the visitors ahead on two minutes before Rio Adebisi lashed the leveller soon after.
11 points from five games for Barrow
FT: Barrow 1-0 Newport
Adam Johnson
BBC Radio Cumbria Sport
Barrow have continued that unbeaten run.
Since returning to winning ways against Gillingham on the 5 March they have 11 points from five games, closing the gap on the automatic promotion places above them.
A very much wind-affected game here but Barrow are the winners.
GOAL: Carlisle 2-2 Stevenage
Terence Vancooten (90+6 mins)
Late, late, late drama.
It's heartbreak for Carlisle.
In the last kick of the game Terence Vancooten fires it in for Stevenage to come back from two goals down.
FULL-TIME
Burton 0-1 Port Vale
Big win for Port Vale thanks to Ryan Loft's late goal.
Vale were second from bottom in League One before kick off and still sit in the relegation places but move up to 21st.
This is their first win of the year.
Burton have now failed to win any of their last seven league games.
Post update
FT: Crewe 1-1 AFC Wimbledon
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Wimbledon will be more pleased than Crewe are, though both have had decent opportunities to win this game.
Both sides have given a lot of effort, probably missing a little quality in front of goal.
They both huffed and puffed to try and find a winner, but nothing doing.
FULL-TIME
Barrow 1-0 Newport
A fourth straight clean sheet at home has ensured the points for Barrow. That's 11 in 15 games at Holker Street. Incredible.
They spurned a glut of chances to increase their lead, and rode their luck on a couple of occasions, but Cole Stockton's fierce angled strike on 20 minutes has kept them sixth and taken them within four points of the automatic promotion places, for at least a couple of hours.
Post update
Crewe 1-1 AFC Wimbledon
Peter Morse
Sports Journalist on BBC Radio Stoke
They have tried so hard Crewe, to almost bash their way through this Wimbledon team at times.
'Wrexham have just toyed with Town really'
FT: Grimsby 1-3 Wrexham
Gary Croft
Former Grimsby defender on BBC Radio Humberside
Town fans were streaming out since the last minute of stoppage time.
They struggled to create anything, no real chances.
After that Wrexham have just toyed with Town really.
They worked hard to not give Town any space.
If the goal had come 20 minutes earlier it could have been different.
Post update
Northampton 1-0 Derby
Northampton still have the lead as we come towards full time but they have 10 minutes of added time to see this one out.
FULL-TIME
Grimsby 1-3 Wrexham
Wrexham had lost four of their last five at Grimsby. Not today.
Andy Cannon's double and Paul Mullin's excellent finish before the break were enough to ensure Arthur Gnahoua's late reply was a mere consolation.
Grimsby's six-match unbeaten streak is over. Wrexham are three points off the top of League Two.
CLOSE!
Grimsby 1-3 Wrexham
Grimsby doing their best to set up a tense finale and Justin Obikwu has somehow turned the ball over the bar from close range after a low cross was flashed across the face of goal.
Into stoppage time we go. Surely the visitors have enough.
League Two latest
#bbcefl
Danilo Orsi had a goal chalked off in the first half, but was not to be denied and his 16th of the season puts Crawley 3-1 up at Tranmere.
As it stands they are moving into the play-off places.
Just behind them are Gillingham who have fought back from trailing twice to go 3-2 up at Morecambe through Connor Mahoney's neat finish.
And in a busy few minutes Richard Keogh's own goal has put Doncaster 2-0 up against Forest Green who look to be going bottom.
Jake Bickerstaff has pulled one back for Accrington at Sutton who lead 3-1, and Notts County look to be heading for a fourth straight home defeat as Conor McAleny's second puts Salford 2-1 up.