Cambridge close the gap on Aldershot

By Nathan Jackson
March 15 2008

Cambridge United took advantage of Aldershot's FA Trophy game against Ebbsfleet by returning the gap to 10 points after Aldershot had won during the week. With less than 10 games to go now, Cambridge realistically have to win all their remaining games to have a chance of taking the Blue Square Premiership title.

During the week Aldershot beat Histon 3-1 to return the gap to 13 points, but their inactivity in the League due to a cup run meant that Cambridge had the chance to reduce the lead again. Whilst Aldershot were drawing with Ebbsfleet in the FA Trophy, Lee Boylan scored a winning goal for Cambridge from the penalty spot.

Neither Stevenage or Torquay played a League game on Saturday but remain comfortably in the Playoffs. Burton Albion currently have the last Playoff place and can give themselves a 3 point gap over Exeter if they beat Weymouth tomorrow.

Meanwhile, those trying to save their League status had positive results. Mansfield and Wrexham both won. Both have games in hand over Notts County and there is a high chances that the Magpies could find themselves in the drop-zone before long. Macclesfield won to ease their worries, but Chester and Dagenham can't consider themselves safe yet as they lost against Barnet and MK Dons respectively.

For those trying to escape League 2 it was a good weekend for everyone except Peterborough. MK Dons replaced the Posh at the top due to the aforementioned win over Dagenham. Peterborough could only manage a draw against Notts County.

Darlington had to win the hard way as they came from 2-0 down against Grimsby to take the 3 points. Hereford also beat Wycombe.

As for the Playoffs, the gap between Rotherham in 7th and Chesterfield in 8th grew to 4 points after the former beat the latter. Chesterfield are still realistically the only side who will take a Playoff place from the current Top 7, but your safe money now would be on Rotherham, Wycombe, Stockport and whoever finishes 4th will be the Playoff teams.

Meanwhile, those trying to avoid relegation to League two had mixed results. Port Vale can be proud of a 3-3 draw with Leeds having lead 2-0 and 3-2 at various points during the match. However, being 14 points from safety with just 24 to play for means that they now need to seriously find some form to avoid relegation. In the next 2 weeks they play 3 games and if they fail to pick up any points then Crewe will only need 2 more points all season for the Valiants to be relegated.

Bournemouth could be relegated within the next 3 weeks, as could Luton but they have a game in hand. Gillingham are also now in trouble and are 4 points adrift of Crewe. Cheltenham, Millwall, Yeovil, Bristol Rovers and Huddersfield are now realistically safe.