Crucial weekend in relegation dog fight

Last updated : 16 March 2007 By Gary Moss

The race to avoid relegation from the Football League really has hit boiling point. Crucial games this weekend see Accrington Stanley take on bottom side Torquay United while Paul Ince's

Macclesfield Town face a tricky trip to Bury.

Just nine points separate the bottom six clubs as they look to secure their status in League Two for another season.


Curle...Renewed hope for his Torquay side
This time last week, everyone had written off Torquay's chance of survival but after a morale boosting 3-0 victory over play-off hopefuls Wycombe Wanderers, Keith Curle's Gull's have renewed hope. They face an Accrington side who have won just one of their last nine in the league and will be hoping not to make an immediate return back to Conference football.


On the other hand, Stanley have drawn their last two at home in the league with Lincoln City and Bristol Rovers. Despite Torquay's amazing result last week, this will be a tough test for United, and one which they have to overcome if they are to have any chance of beating the drop.


Only goal difference keeps Accrington and Wrexham above second bottom Boston, and this weekend could prove crucial to all of those side's stranded on 35 points.


On the surface, Wrexham may face a near impossible task of overcoming fourth placed MK Dons but after their 4-0 hammering from Peterborough last weekend, league positions don't always tell the whole story.


That aside, The Dons have lost just one of their last nine home league games. The National Hockey stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for many League Two sides since the turn of the year.


Boston face a must win game tomorrow as their shocking away form is put to the test with a trip to Field Mill against in form Mansfield Town.


The Pilgrims have picked up just two away points so far in 2007 while Mansfield are unbeaten in the last five. Boss Steve Evans is in desperate need of a Boston performance to hoist them out of the Football League trap door.


Macclesfield are just a point behind Bury as they travel to Gigg

Ince...His Silkmen lost last six on the road
Lane to take on the fellow struggling Shaker's. The Silkmen's great escape has come to a halt in recent weeks after moving off the bottom of the division where they spent the majority of 2006.


Paul Ince's men have lost their last six on the road but go to Bury who themselves are without a league win since back in December.

It promises to be a scrappy weekend at the bottom, but one which could shape the end of season relegation fight.