Back-markers battling to avoid dreaded drop

CONNOR RIPLEY . . . vital saves all season for Athletic

CRUNCH time is approaching in terms of the relegation picture in Sky Bet League One.

As it stands, Athletic are three points clear of fourth-bottom Port Vale, with seven games left to gather the necessary points total to make it 21 consecutive seasons in the third tier.

The bottom-two of Coventry and Chesterfield appear to be cut adrift and surely destined for the drop.

That leaves two bottom-four places and what appears to be six clubs battling to avoid filling them.

Athletic are among those clubs, though they will hope that Lee Erwin's goal touch and the sterling form of goalkeeper Connor Ripley will aid their chances.

Here, we assess those teams still in the relegation mix, giving our verdict on who looks doomed . . .

ATHLETIC - remaining fixtures: Sheffield United (H), Southend (A), Fleetwood (H), Bolton (H), Bristol Rovers (A), Rochdale (H), AFC Wimbledon (A). Relegation odds: 9-2

The revival under John Sheridan has once again been truly remarkable. The job is not yet done, though, with a set of tough games in the next month. Solid home form on a difficult playing surface could play a factor in squeezing out positive results against the division's top three and though there will still be nervy glances down the table for a few weeks yet, Athletic have consistently proven very difficult to get the better of.

Prediction: 17th, 54 points.

BURY - remaining fixtures: Fleetwood (H), Oxford (A), Bradford (H), Rochdale (H), Bolton (A), Northampton (H), Southend (A). Relegation odds: 10-1

Lee Clark has given a team of moody misfits - the Shakers have won six in a row and twice lost seven in a row in a bizarre season - purpose and solidity. Bury have conceded only four times under Clark's seven-game tenure and only one defeat has come in that time. James Vaughan's goals and a mean defence will be enough to keep the club safe.

Prediction: 18th, 53 points

SHREWSBURY - remaining fixtures: Bolton (H), Bristol Rovers (A), Millwall (H), Rochdale (H), Walsall (H), Northampton (A), Southend (H), Oxford (A). Relegation odds: 4-1

Shrewsbury's home form is excellent - they have lost once since October - and four of the next five matches are at their Greenhous Meadow fortress. Bolton won't be easy next up, but the fixtures list is not terribly unkind for Paul Hurst's side. They lost at Port Vale last week, but having ascended from the bottom to 16th at one stage under Hurst, there should be enough left in the tank to recover from a mini-slump that has brought only two points in the last three outings, all against rivals near the foot of the division.

Prediction: 19th, 50 points.

GILLINGHAM - remaining fixtures: Peterborough (H), MK Dons (A), Millwall (H), Bristol Rovers (H), Charlton (A), Fleetwood (H), Northampton (A). Relegation odds: 8-1

Back-to-back wins against Bury and Scunthorpe appeared to have sufficiently bolstered the hopes of Ady Pennock's side, but a pair of thumping losses at home to Bolton (4-0) and at Rochdale (4-1) have increased fears that the Kent club might be sucked back into trouble. They should still get over the line, just, with four of the seven remaining fixtures against clubs with little left to play for.

Prediction: 20th, 50 points

PORT VALE - remaining fixtures: MK Dons (H), AFC Wimbledon (H), Rochdale (A), Chesterfield (A), Sheffield United (H), Oxford (A), Bolton (H), Walsall (A), Fleetwood (A). Relegation odds: 4-6 on

Vale appear to be paying the price for the experimental managerial appointment of Bruno Ribeiro during the summer. He signed 18 new players - 12 had never before played in England - and lost his job at the end of last year. Michael Brown is up against it to save a side which have won only once away from home all season. The midweek loss at Coventry was a catastrophe and even with games in hand, it's hard to see Vale extricating themselves on home form alone.

Prediction: 21st: 47 points.

SWINDON TOWN - remaining fixtures: Millwall (H), Fleetwood (A), MK Dons (H), AFC Wimbledon (H), Walsall (A), Scunthorpe (H), Charlton (A). Relegation odds: 1-16 on

Seven points away from safety and with only seven matches left - and a minimum of two clubs to overhaul - relegation is almost assured already. Two difficult clashes are next up against sides battling for promotion and the death warrant for a club which finished fourth two seasons ago could be signed by then.

Prediction: 22nd, 42 points.