As we move into the closing weeks of the League Two season, Jamie Burns looks ahead to Bury’s run-in and compares them with their rivals as they battle for the final automatic promotion spots.

BURY (4th, 71 pts)

Colchester (h)

Newport (a)

Northampton (h)

Tranmere (a)

Port Vale (h)

After three straight defeats and money problems off the pitch, Ryan Lowe’s men will have to recapture their best form if they wish to gain automatic promotion. On paper, they face a relatively easy run-in, but the game to watch will surely be their away fixture at fellow promotion hopefuls Tranmere on April 27.

Bury Times: Bury's Jay O'Shea has 16 goals this season. Picture by Andy WhiteheadBury's Jay O'Shea has 16 goals this season. Picture by Andy Whitehead

MANSFIELD TOWN (2nd, 72pts)

Northampton (a)

Morecambe (h)

Oldham (a)

Stevenage (h)

MK Dons (a)

After a slight wobble which threatened their promotion hopes, back-to-back victories have seen the Stags put themselves in pole position for a second-placed finish. All eyes will be on their final day clash at MK Dons and Bury will surely be hoping for dropped points from both sides.

MK DONS (3rd, 72pts)

Tranmere (a)

Notts County (a)

Port Vale (h)

Colchester (a)

Mansfield (h)

Paul Tisdale’s side have been inconsistent of late, with just two wins from their last five, and they face a fairly difficult end to the season which will give The Shakers some hope heading into the final straight. As well as their final day clash against Mansfield, they also play away at Tranmere and relegation-battling Notts County.

TRANMERE ROVERS (5th, 68pts)

MK Dons (h)

Forest Green (h)

Lincoln (a)

Bury (h)

Crawley (a)

Despite being just three points behind Bury, Tranmere certainly have the most difficult run-in. In addition to hosting Ryan Lowe’s side at the end of the month, they play two other promotion rivals, as well as a trip to runaway leaders Lincoln. There will certainly be hope at Gigg Lane that Rovers’ run of games will see them drop points.

FOREST GREEN ROVERS (6th, 64pts)

Macclesfield (h)

Tranmere (a)

Cambridge (h)

Crewe (a)

Exeter (h)

With seven points separating the sides, Forest Green remain unlikely to overhaul The Shakers going into the final five games. The Gloucestershire side have consolidated their play-off position in recent weeks and the main hope for Bury will be that they get a result at Tranmere on Good Friday.