Our National League relegation run-in guide

The maximum points haul meant the likes of Maidstone, Braintree and Guiseley lost some of the breathing space they might have felt they were enjoying and, as Southport and North Ferriby look too far adrift, appeared to extend the number of clubs contesting the remaining two relegation spots to six with Woking also in the equation.

In ascending order, based on current league position, we have decided to examine each team’s prospects based on recent results, run-ins and their main match-winner’s form with the portents looking good in all respects for Gary Mills’ men…

CITY (WLWDWD)

Statistically, Gary Mills’ men have the most-favourable, run-in when their opponents’ average league standing is taken into account. Looking at the current standings, meanwhile, there appear to be seven teams clear of relegation concerns or promotion aspirations - Wrexham, Eastleigh, Boreham Wood, Chester, Sutton, Bromley and Solihull – who are sitting 10th to 16th in the table.

Half of the Minstermen’s remaining games are against those clubs who, in theory, might have one eye on their summer sun loungers. All of those opponents will also be faced in successive fixtures following this afternoon’s six-pointer home clash with Braintree.

From all their rivals, the Bootham Crescent outfit have the fewest matches left, meanwhile, against those teams in the top nine who are still targeting a place in the Football League next season. But, with Forest Green potentially needing a result to contest the title on April 29, City would ideally want matters wrapping up before the final day.

In Jon Parkin, though, they boast a man for the occasion and he has netted six times in as many league games.

Run-in: Today – Braintree (H); Tues, Apr 4 – Bromley (H); Sat, Apr 8 – Chester (A); Fri, Apr 14 – Solihull (A); Mon, Apr 17 – Wrexham (H); Sat, Apr 22 – Woking (A); Sat, Apr 29 – Forest Green (H).

Finishing position and points based on current form: 19th (52)

WOKING (LWLDLW)

The Cardinals have been dipping in and out of the bottom four throughout the season and need an upturn in form to make sure they have crept above the dreaded dotted line come 2.15pm on April 29. Garry Hill’s men travel to his former club Dagenham that lunchtime, with their hosts possibly needing points to secure a top-five place.

The previous weekend’s home clash against the Minstermen could also prove pivotal to their fortunes. Gozie Ugwu has plundered 13 goals this term, but has not hit the net in his last four appearances.

Run-in: Today – Sutton (H); Sat, Apr 8 – Barrow (A); Fri, Apr 14 – Macclesfield (H); Mon, Apr 17 – Chester (A); Sat, Apr 22 – York (H); Sat, Apr 29 – Dagenham (A).

Finishing position and points based on current form: 22nd (48)

TORQUAY (WDLDWL)

The Gulls’ 1-0 midweek success at Solihull saw them poke their heads above the relegation parapet, but the Devon club remain inconsistent and are far from firing on all cylinders. Joint-top scorer Daniel Sparkes’ sixth league goal of the season on Tuesday was his first in 13 matches.

Fellow leading marksman Brett Williams, meanwhile, has only managed to hit the target once in his last ten outings. Should they need three points on the last weekend of the campaign, though, Kevin Nicholson’s men have the advantage of entertaining a North Ferriby side who are likely to be down by then.

Run-in: Today – Chester (H); Sat, Apr 8 – Aldershot (A); Fri, Apr 14 – Lincoln (A); Mon, Apr 17 – Braintree (H); Sat, Apr 22 – Dover (A); Sat, Apr 29 – North Ferriby (H).

Finishing position and points based on current form: 20th (51)

MAIDSTONE (WDWWDW)

Having taken 14 points from a possible 18, the Kent club boast the best form of any of the six sides and, if recent results are a barometer, with their games in hand, last season’s National League South play-off winners would finish ten points clear of their rivals. But – and this is a big but – Jay Saunders’ men have, by far, the toughest run-in.

Six of their final eight matches are against promotion hopefuls and they close the campaign against the division’s current top-three sides – Forest Green, Lincoln and Tranmere – all in the space of eight days. Maidstone are also the only club, of the six, that do not have a match left against their relegation rivals, depriving them of the opportunity to inflict damage as well as enhance their own position at the same time.

In Jamar Loza, though, the Stones have the division’s marksman of the moment. The former Norwich attacker – a loan target for then City chief Nigel Worthington in 2014 – has struck six times in his last three games, including a hat-trick during last weekend’s 4-2 win at Woking.

Run-in: Today – Barrow (H); Sat, Apr 8 – Gateshead (A); Tues, Apr 11 – Macclesfield (A); Fri, Apr 14 – Wrexham (A); Mon, Apr 17 – Boreham Wood (H); Sat, Apr 22 – Forest Green (A); Tues, Apr 25 – Lincoln (H); Sat, Apr 29 – Tranmere (H).

Finishing position and points based on current form: 17th (62)

BRAINTREE (LLWDLL)

Poor recent form – the worst of all six clubs – has dragged the Essex team back into the mire and left them on course to occupy the fourth and final relegation spot. Hakan Hayrettin’s team will also, uniquely, be taking on sides with something to fight for - at one end of the table or the other - in all of their remaining matches.

Six-pointers against City this afternoon and over the Easter period when they host Guiseley and travel to Torquay on Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively might, therefore, hold the key to their fate before they conclude their programme by meeting play-off candidates Barrow and Aldershot. The Iron will also be hoping Michael Cheek, their scorer of 17 league goals, can start finding the net again, having endured a three-game barren run – his longest since October.

Run-in: Today – York (A); Sat, Apr 8 – Dover (H); Fri, Apr 14 – Guiseley (H); Mon, Apr 17 – Torquay (A); Sat, Apr 22 – Barrow (H); Sat, Apr 29 – Aldershot (A)

Finishing position and points based on current form: 21st (49)

GUISELEY (LDDWWW)

The Leeds side are the only one of the six clubs not to have won in their last three matches, which has made them outside bets for a bottom-four place. A win at Southport today would go a long way to easing any renewed anxiety for Adam Lockwood’s men, especially with tough home matches against title-chasers Forest Green and Tranmere still to come.

Eight-goal, leading marksman Jake Cassidy has only managed to get on the scoresheet once in his last eight contests.

Run-in: Today – Southport (A); Sat, Apr 8 – Forest Green (H); Fri, Apr 14 – Braintree (A); Mon, Apr 17 – Tranmere (H), Sat, Apr 22 – Bromley (A); Sat, Apr 29 – Solihull (H).

Finishing position and points based on current form: 18th (57)