As the English football season approaches the business end there are some terrific skirmishes going on in the lower divisions of the Football League. Much depends on how the players can adapt to the pressure of striving for promotion or fighting relegation. It is grassroots football at its best.
In the Championship there is real scrap at the top, with three teams fighting it out for the two automatic promotion spots to the Premier League.
Leeds United and Sheffield United have been sharing the limelight for much of the season and the Blades are currently top, two points ahead of their Yorkshire rivals. But Burnley have the same points as Leeds and are only behind on goal difference.
None of this trio want to end up in third place because it means they will be condemned to playoff matches against the likes of Sunderland which is the last thing they need at the end of a long season.
At the wrong end of the table there are as many as seven teams fighting to stave off relegation. As it stands now, Plymouth, Luton and Cardiff look the most likely to suffer the drop into League One. But just above them Hull, Derby, Oxford and Stoke are looking nervously over their shoulders.
Birmingham City appear to have the League One title sewn up but there's a real battle going on for the second automatic promotion place as well as a spot in the playoffs as clubs sense a chance of a place in the Championship.
Birmingham's 2-1 away win at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday put them 11 points clear of nearest challengers Wrexham and the Blues should wrap up the title soon.
The Red Dragons are in a fascinating battle with Wycombe Wanderers for the runners-up spot. Wycombe are currently three points behind the Welsh side, but with a game in hand. Both teams will be frustrated at dropping vital points midweek after being unexpectedly held to draws against the bottom two clubs.
Despite dominating the game against cellar dwellers Shrewsbury, Wycombe could not find the back of the net and the match ended 0-0. Wrexham were similarly disappointed at being held 2-2 at second from bottom Cambridge.
In-form Charlton are in fourth place and have a mathematical chance of the second automatic spot but it would need both Wrexham and Wycombe to stumble very badly.
Charlton will likely have to settle for a playoff spot along with Stockport County and Bolton Wanderers who currently occupy the vital slots. However seventh-placed Reading, Huddersfield, Blackpool and Leyton Orient also have their eyes on the spoils.
Things could change this weekend with Wycombe facing a potentially tough test away to Reading, although the Berkshire club have serious ownership problems which may distract them. At the foot of the table Shrewsbury and Cambridge United look to be in deep trouble along with Crawley Town.
In League Two the three teams currently in the automatic promotion places are Walsall, Bradford City and Port Vale, with a host of teams vying for a playoff spot.
Down at the bottom, despite the efforts of Mark Hughes it looks like Carlisle are heading for the National League with Morecambe most likely to join them. However, Tranmere Rovers and Accrington Stanley are not out of the woods yet.
