Entering the final day of their League Two campaign in contention for automatic promotion, Northampton Town travel to Barrow on Saturday, where their fate may be decided.

Following a draw last week, the Cobblers' destiny remains in the balance, while their hosts have secured safety and are free to enjoy the season's finale in front of their own fans.

Match preview

Though Barrow appeared to be heading for a well-earned point last Saturday, having soaked up plenty of Swindon Town pressure and equalised late on, they ultimately came away with nothing from the County Ground.

After Matthew Platt's 83rd-minute header cancelled out the home side's one-goal lead, Swindon struck again with just five minutes left on the clock; consigning Phil Brown's men to a second successive defeat.

Brown later expressed his frustration at losing out to the play-off contenders, having previously been beaten by Exeter, and the Bluebirds are no longer able to finish above their current 21st place in the table as a result.

Set to offer local schoolchildren, emergency services personnel and under-18s free access to Holker Street this weekend - to celebrate securing a third successive season in the EFL - Barrow have already achieved their objective of retaining League Two status.

They will therefore aim to finish with a flourish and repeat the result when they last met Saturday's visitors in the league - with a 1-0 victory at Sixfields back in February being one of just 10 league wins this season.

While Barrow can enjoy a stress-free send-off from their supporters, the game is a crucial one for Northampton, who are still hoping to secure promotion via the direct route.

The Cobblers go into the final day with a chance of going up automatically, after drawing 1-1 against league leaders Exeter City last weekend.

Though Mitch Pinnock's first-half goal was cancelled out by their visitors in the second half, Town remain third in the table - but they no longer have a top-three place firmly in their grasp.

Indeed, five teams retain a chance of finishing above them, but any win over Barrow would seal the deal for Jon Brady's side unless Bristol Rovers can make up a deficit of five in terms of goal difference.

A draw or a loss, however, could see Rovers, Port Vale, Mansfield or even seventh-placed Swindon overtake Northampton, who will be singularly intent on posting their fourth win in six unbeaten games.

Team News

For perhaps the final 90 minutes of their long campaign, Northampton could be without first-choice right-back Aaron McGowan, who was forced off against Exeter with a leg injury.

McGowan has started all but three of the Cobblers' League Two matches this term but is a major doubt for Saturday's encounter after leaving Sixfields on crutches last weekend.

Manager Jon Brady will therefore make contingency plans for his back four, which could include Joseph Mills being drafted into the side; most likely led by Leicester City loanee Josh Eppiah and Scottish striker Louis Appere up front.

Phil Brown, meanwhile, can afford to make changes to his Barrow side with survival now secured. Therefore, Aaron Amadi-Holloway may be back in contention after recently returning to full training.

Nine-goal top scorer Ollie Banks is also pushing for a start, having been a second-half substitute last weekend.

Barrow possible starting lineup:
Farman; Brown, Canavan, Platt, Brough; Gotts, Rooney, Beadling; Hutton, Amadi-Holloway, Kay

Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Roberts; Koiki, Guthrie, Horsfall, Mills; Sowerby, Hoskins, Pollock, Pinnock; Eppiah, Appere

We say: Barrow 1-2 Northampton Town

While Barrow will play without fear in their final fixture of the season, and have certainly improved in recent weeks, their visitors' need for three points is substantially greater.

The heat is on for Northampton, who cannot afford to merely hope that others slip up, so they will press on in search of a 23rd win of the season to take the final step back to League One.

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