The race for the play-off spots in League Two was arguably the most exciting in the Football League. The fourth-placed spot went down to the final day as MK Dons and Mansfield Town faced off in a winner takes all tie, while five teams were still in the running for seventh on the last day of the season. With all four teams now confirmed though, the League Two play-offs can commence and the battle for Wembley gets underway.
League Two Play-Offs
Newport County v Mansfield Town
Mansfield are only in this position by virtue of their final day defeat to MK Dons. A draw or a win at Stadium MK would have been enough to put the Stags in the automatic promotion spots, but David Wheeler’s second-minute header meant the Dons took the spot instead.
They sit five points above their opponents in the table but, as is often the case with the play-offs, the team coming in last will have the momentum with them. That’s certainly the case with Newport. The Exiles sat 11th after beating champions Lincoln City on the season’s penultimate weekend, but winning their game in hand against Oldham Athletic in midweek saw them climb above Exeter City, Colchester United, Carlisle United and Stevenage into seventh; a position they held with a final day draw away at Morecambe.
Newport will certainly feel as though they can spring a surprise, with star striker Jamille Matt saying they won’t let their “underdogs” tag bother them. The Exiles haven’t been in England’s third tier since their reformation in 1989, so will do everything in their power to make history.
Prediction:
Leg 1: Newport County 2-1 Mansfield Town
Leg 2: Mansfield Town 1-1 Newport County
Tranmere Rovers v Forest Green Rovers
Just two years ago this would have been a National League fixture. In fact, these are the two teams that contested the 2016/17 National League play-off final, with Forest Green triumphing 3-1 to reach the Football League for the first time in their history.
The Green survived by just a single point in their first League Two campaign but have been the surprise package this time around. Their away form has been the major factor in their league positioning, having the second-best away form in the league behind just Lincoln. Their home form was worthy of a mid-table finish but coupled with their fine results on their travels, it was enough to give them a chance of League One football next season.
Tranmere have been another surprise addition to the play-off mix this season as this is their first campaign back in the Football League after a spell in non-league. Star man James Norwood is the league’s top scorer with 29 goals and is the main reason behind their huge rise this season.
This is the tougher of the two ties to call as Forest Green finished the season just a point ahead of Tranmere. If any of the match-ups are to go the distance with extra-time and penalties, this will be the one.
Prediction:
Leg 1: Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Forest Green Rovers
Leg 2: Forest Green Rovers 2-2 Tranmere Rovers (AET) (Forest Green to win on penalties)
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