The battle to get out of League Two is hotting up. Peter Beagrie looks at the leading contenders.
Peter Beagrie looks at the best of League Two
Brentford could have extended their lead at the top of League Two to nine points on Monday night, had it not been for a power failure at Dagenham and Redbridge.
That would have been a real statement of intent from the Bees, had they won that one, because they have been in fantastic form. They've had three tough games in a week so that extra rest will temper that blow of not extending their points difference over Rochdale and Gillingham. Some of the players will need that, though the bizarre circumstances would have caused some disruption.
During my playing career I never had a game cancelled because of a power failure, though we did have to warm up in the dark once at Everton. Fortunately that was remedied within a couple of minutes but unfortunately that was not the case at Dagenham.
Although the managers tried to laugh it off you could see their disappointment. Mentally you are prepared for the game and they wasted a lot of time, money and effort in preparing for that fixture. It wasn't a foregone conclusion that Brentford would have got the three points but it was a case of an opportunity lost in bizarre circumstances.
Consistent
Brentford look very strong, consistent, have a good defence and have people who can score goals - Charlie MacDonald is currently getting the headlines with his 18 goals this season - the manager has done a fantastic job brining in the likes of Jordon Rhodes and they will be tough to knock off the top.
Make no mistake, though they are virtually guaranteed an automatic promotion place, Andy Scott will want to take the championship.
Rochdale and Gillingham lead the chasing pack and the former have got some massive games coming up.
Rochdale have been in mixed form recently, but they got a fantastic win over promotion rivals Wycombe when Adam Le Fondre netted his 20th goal of the season. He's been fantastic for them.
Nathan Stanton has also been a revelation, they are solid at the back and have genuine pace, causing their opposition real problems.
Great
Rochdale have Exeter at the weekend which should be a great tie.
Exeter have had a phenomenal year. No one expected them to have a season like they have and I think the lack of pressure on them has allowed them to perform in the way they have. Shrewsbury and Bradford, who sit just below them in the table, have spent a lot of money so, really, the pressure is all on them.
Gillingham, meanwhile, have done very, very well this season, though a lot of their success has been reliant on Simeon Jackson averaging one-in-two. However, I do worry for them defensively.
With the experience of goalkeeper Simon Royce and Nicky Southall they shouldn't be losing to Grimsby. They have been absolutely diabolical at times this season, but they brought Gillingham's run of eight games undefeated to a shuddering halt.
Fortunately for the Gills only one side in the top eleven actually won last week, but their defeat just shows how you can't take any team lightly in this division.
Flying high
Hot on their heels are Wycombe. They were flying high at the beginning of the season when they went 18 games unbeaten before eventually losing away to Aldershot at the beginning of December.
They have been built around their defence which has conceded the fewest in the division. They need to replicate their early season form and find some goals to get that automatic spot.
Shrewsbury's away form has been absolutely shocking. Ben Davies has come back looking like the player he was last year, but they need a psychologist.
Every time they step onto the pitch at an away ground all the good work they produce at home disappears. They've won just one game away all season which is a really poor record.
Just a point behind them is Bradford City. My old friend Stuart McCall is in charge there and I would love them to get an automatic spot.
However, their promotion hopes have taken a turn for the worse recently. They are on a dreadful run of four defeats and now is certainly not the time of the season to be losing form like that.
They are also reeling from the loss of Omar Daley, the wide-man, who they have lost through injury for the rest of the season. He took them to another level.
However, signing Nicky Law was masterstroke. He's their best player by a country mile. Stuart, though, will be pulling his strawberry blonde hair out wondering how to stop this terrible run. They need to go up this year because they've invested lots of money and if they don't get to the play-offs they will think it's a failure.
Peter answers your questions...
To send Peter a question on the Football League, send an email to skysportsclub@bskyb.com or use the feedback form below...
SHEFFIELD SUCCESS?
Hi Beags. How do you rate SUFC's chances of promotion this season? As a long-standing Unitedite it seems to me we might just be sorting our home form out at just the right time; the game against Derby was one of the better performances I've seen at the Lane this season. Personally I reckon a play-off spot is most likely but I wouldn't rule out a late charge for a top two finish. Cheers Simon Hopkinson (Sheffield United fan)
PETER REPLIES: I've seen Sheffield United three times in the last month, including that tremendous win against Birmingham. Although they were fortunate with the penalty and free-kick they were well worthy of victory and earned that luck. I do think Jamie Ward could have a massive bearing on this run-in. He is a player with massive self-belief, a low centre of gravity, he got loads of goals for Chesterfield and does not waste time getting his shot away. He's the perfect foil for Darius Henderson up front.
They'll be looking at the two automatic spots and thinking why not? They've had a tremendous season and there is no place like the Lane when it is buzzing. A lot of Premier League sides found that out last season. They'll definitely get a play-off spot but, you never know, if Birmingham falter they might just pounce.
WELSH CLASH
I have one question. Who do you think will win the South Wales derby? Swansea or Cardiff? Owen Thyer (Swansea fan)
PETER REPLIES: Draw! That'll be no surprise after 30-odd draws shared between them this season. Swansea are having a dire time at moment while Cardiff were disappointing against Norwich, one of their games in hand. It's really going to be a titanic struggle. On current form Cardiff just edge it. That could be evened out with Swansea being at home so I'll go for a draw.
Swansea can be proud of themselves and how they have equipped themselves in this division. I've always been a great admirer of Roberto Martinez as a person. I spent some time with him at Wigan and he was an absolute pleasure. He has embraced the English style of play and built a very competitive and skilful side. He's been a revelation and it is no coincidence he has been linked with some big jobs but his work at Swansea is unfinished and he will be aiming to get them in the play offs.
