Hartlepool and Rushden prepare for title battle

The leaders Rushden & Diamonds host Hartlepool United next Saturday in the Third Division title showdown needing a draw to be crowned champions at Nene Park.

Rushden drew 0-0 on Saturday at Leyton Orient while Mike Newell's side won 3-0 against the bottom club Shrewsbury, who are now five points adrift of safety with two games to play.

Wrexham ensured they joined both clubs in the Second Division next season after clinching an instant return with a 5-0 win over Cambridge United. Bury will join Bournemouth in the play-offs after Lee Connell's winner sealed a 2-1 win at Southend. Scunthorpe and Lincoln, who beat Bournemouth 1-0 at Dean Court, need a point to be sure of their top-seven places when they face the bottom club Shrewsbury and Torquay respectively next weekend. Oxford United, beaten 2-0 at Scunthorpe, and York need handsome wins to have any chance of extending their campaign.

At the bottom, Shrewsbury must beat Carlisle tomorrow or face relegation to the Conference. Exeter won 2-0 at York to increase their chances of escaping the drop.