Colchestervs.Doncaster

The hosts will ensure their survival in League Two with anything other than a defeat, while the visitors are outside of the top seven on goal difference but do hold a game in hand on those above them.

Match preview

Colchester have flirted with relegation for the vast majority of the season, occupying 22nd place in the league for 17 of the 44 matchdays, but they have managed to avoid ever falling into the drop zone itself.

Danny Cowley, who took over in January from interim manager Matthew Etherington following the dismissal of Ben Garner in October, now has the chance to complete his objectives and confirm his side's place in the league for a ninth successive year.

Safety had looked all but secured with Sutton United and Forest Green Rovers falling behind, with Colchester relegating Forest Green with their win against Grimsby Town a week ago.

However, a recent resurgence from Sutton, winning four-straight matches and picking up a further two draws in their previous seven outings, has seen them move to within three points of Cowley's men.

The hosts do have control of their own fate though, with them needing just a point from their remaining two games to send the Yellows into the National League.

That may prove to be a difficult task for Colchester in their remaining two fixtures, as they are set to face Doncaster and Crewe Alexandra, two teams who are fighting for playoff places.

Cowley will take solace from the fact that Sutton must win their final game to have any chance of survival, leaving them with the extremely challenging job of beating fourth-placed MK Dons.

As for the visitors, they come into this one level on points with seventh-placed Crawley Town but trail them due to an inferior goal difference.

Despite that, a game in hand over Crawley gives Grant McCann's team a fantastic opportunity to leapfrog Crawley and move into the playoff positions, putting them in the driving seat ahead of their final match against Gillingham.

The opportunity to compete for promotion in the playoffs is somewhat of a miracle in itself given Doncaster resided in 18th at matchday 39 of the season, but a phenomenal run of nine-straight wins has seen them rapidly rise up the table.

A large reason for Doncaster's success this season has been down to striker Joe Ironside who has scored 18 goals in the league, nine more than second top scorer Hakeeb Adelakun.

Their recent defensive performances have been equally as important though, conceding just four times in their previous nine outings, while they have scored a fantastic 22.

Colchester United League Two form:

D

L

L

W

W

L

Doncaster Rovers League Two form:

W

W

W

W

W

W

Team News

The hosts are set to be without three players due to injury and suspension.

Harry Anderson was forced off with injury in Colchester's 2-1 loss to Stockport County at the beginning of this month and is not expected to return for this one.

Two red cards in their last three matches also see Samson Tovide and Tom Dallison unavailable for selection as they serve their respective suspensions.

Doncaster were given a boost in their last outing with the return of Harrison Biggins, who scored their third to complete the comeback from 2-0 down, after the midfielder missed their game against Accrington Stanley due to injury.

Ironside has netted four times in his last three appearances and will be looking to continue his great goalscoring form as he is set to lead the line once again.

Colchester United possible starting lineup:

Hornby; Mingi, Harbottle, Hall, Iandolo; Fevrier, Read, Chilvers, Richardson; Hopper, McGeehan

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:

Lo-Tutala; Sterry, Olowu, Wood, Maxwell; Bailey, Craig; Molyneux, Biggins, Adelakun; Ironside

We say: Colchester United 0-2 Doncaster Rovers

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