LEAGUE TWO PREVIEWS
LINCOLN CITY v CAMBRIDGE UNITED
Lincoln bounced back from last week's defeat against Rochdale in some style as they won a red-hot local derby against Boston.
Over 6,500 fans - Boston's biggest ever league crowd - saw goals from Richie Hanlon and Simon Yeo catapult the Imps to within five points of automatic promotion.
Keith Alexander's men have had a slow-burner of a season but they seem to be coming into prime form at just the right time and will fancy their chances against rock-bottom Cambridge.
It was the same old story last Saturday as the U's fell to their 17th defeat of the campaign when Macclesfield took all three points from the Abbey Stadium.
The noose seems to be tightening around their neck but there is still a glimmer of hope as Kidderminster and Rushden continue to lose on a regular basis as well. Yeo and Gary Taylor-Fletcher will have to be contained if Cambridge are to have any chance at all.
CLARKY'S VERDICT: Lincoln will drive another nail into the coffin of Cambridge with a win by two clear goals.
NORTHAMPTON TOWN v SOUTHEND UNITED
The Cobblers can move within two points of an automatic promotion place if they win their two games in hand and this is a must win game for them.
If they can beat Southend not only will they grab three valuable points but they will also leapfrog over the Shrimpers.
Trevor Benjamin linking back up with Micky Adams was a blow as they will miss his pace and power up front. However, 16-goal Scott McGleish and Eric Sabin will be a handful for any team and Adam Barrett and company will have to be at the top of their game to keep a clean sheet.
But Southend have goalscorers of their own in the shape of Fredy Eastwood and Steve Tilson has moulded an effective unit who are deservedly in the top five.
CLARKY'S VERDICT: A tough battle will finish with both sides sharing the points in a 1-1 draw.
CHELTENHAM TOWN v OXFORD UNITED
John Ward's men have crept onto the edge of the play-off zone almost unnoticed - but they are a genuine threat.
Damien Spencer and last year's top scorer in the Conference, Steve Guinan, are a real handful and with players such as Grant McCann and Martin Devaney as well, then goals shouldn't be a problem.
The Robins play a tight game and have relied on the individual talents of these players to produce the goods in front of goal and it has worked a treat.
Oxford have improved immensely under the guidance of Ramon Diaz but suffered a rare defeat last week at home against Northampton. They are now well clear of the drop zone but still need to produce a great run of form to reach the play-offs and will be relying on Tommy Mooney to fire home the necessary goals.
CLARKY'S VERDICT: Oxford will put a spanner in the works of Cheltenham's play-off surge with a narrow victory at Whaddon Road.
