Pompey promotion rivals round-up

Chris Wilder's Northampton can seal promotion against Bristol Rovers Picture: Sharon Lucey

NORTHAMPTON can seal their promotion on Saturday by turning over Bristol Rovers.

Pompey’s rivals for an automatic place to reach League One travel to Sixfields looking to spoil the party for Chris Wilder’s side.

The Cobblers need three points to get the celebrations started as they bid to extend their 18-match unbeaten run.

Rovers put losing their six-game unbeaten spell against Carlisle behind them with a comfortable win over Crawley last time out.

They go into the game back in the automatic promotion spots – but with the chasing pack hot on their heels.

Plymouth have a tricky test as play-off-chasers AFC Wimbledon go to Home Park.

That’s after the Pilgrims were dealt a blow when losing to a 90th-minute Ollie Watkins winner against Exeter City.

Plymouth boss, Derek Adams, admitted the defeat was a low point for him since he arrived at the club.

But defender Carl McHugh believes that pain will drive them on against the Dons.

Wimbledon are two points off the play-offs going into the game, with manager Neal Ardley believing they have come a long way since being outgunned by their opponents in a 2-0 opening-day loss.

Oxford hope to bounce back from their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat to Barnsley at Crawley. Michael Appleton’s side go into the game with defender Joe Skarz out for the rest of the season with a groin injury.

Accrington have a trip south to Luton as they bid to extend their six-game unbeaten run. Matt Crooks and Huddersfield loanee Joe Wright are their only injuries, and John Coleman believes he has a selection headache accommodating all of his players.

Carlisle bounced back from defeat at Pompey last weekend with a midweek win against Hartlepool to boost their play-offs hopes.

They welcome Mansfield to Brunton Park sitting a point outside of the top seven.

Wycombe desperately need three points as they go to struggling York.

The Chairboys have one win in five and have hit their 61-point pre-season target – but boss Gareth Ainsworth admitted tempering play-off ambitions is proving tough.

Fast-improving Exeter go to Yeovil off the back of eight unbeaten games and with midfielder Arron Davies sounding a warning to their rivals over their form.

Leyton Orient travel to Barnet among the other play-off chasers, with Cambridge at Newport County.

– JORDAN CROSS