The View Outside The Premier League - Charlton Champions But Sheffield Pair Sweat
More and more of the big issues were decided this weekend and Charlton Atheltic finally achieved what they have been destined for ever since the season kicked off. Chris Powell's squad have been front-running since September and no-one has ever looked like catching them.
With the Addicks confirmed as champions there's still an almighty scrap on for that second automatic place and the nerves were shredded in Sheffield on Saturday. Sheffield United went into the day with the advantage but came unstuck at MK Dons. Opportunity knocked for Sheffield Wednesday to move just a point behind their rivals, but Carlisle United still had play-off ambitions.
A late equaliser by the Cumbrians at Hillsborough threatened to derail Wednesday's prospects. Up popped Michail Antonio to hit a winner in injury time which leaves all to play for. Wednesday travel to Brentford next weekend who still have slim play-off hopes, but United have to host Stevenage, who are in form and very much play-off contenders.
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Several relegations were confirmed. Bristol City's win over Barnsley sank both Portsmouth and Coventry City but both sets of supporters will rue what might have been. Pompey lost 10 points for going into administration and Coventry were awful up to Christmas but much better in 2012.
Chesterfield's late, late show kept their own hopes of avoiding the drop alive and sent opponents Rochdale down. Dale thus return to the bottom tier where they languished continuously from 1974 to 2010. It's still likely that they will be playing the Spireites again next season.
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Nothing is decided in League Two at the bottom but hope is slipping away for Macclesfield Town. Yet another defeat - which did Bradford City a power of good - sent them to the bottom berth as Herford ground out a point.
Barnet are still benefitting from the inability of Hereford or Macclesfield to put a win on the board. Macclesfield must cling to the hope that one win could draw them level with Barnet and they have a much-superior goal difference than the Underhill side.
Both Barnet and Macclesfield take on teams with nothing to play for next week - Wimbledon and Burton respectively - while Hereford have the short straw of a trip to Crawley who need points to hold on to third spot.
It is now definitely two from these three for the drop as Plymouth, Northampton, Bradford and Dagenham & Redbridge have all guaranteed their survival.
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Fleetwood Town will take one of the League Two places and Wrexham, Mansfield Town and York City will certainly contest the play-offs. The final berth rests between Luton Town and Kidderminster Harriers but the Hatters have a game in hand.
Southport fans endured the misery of seeing the Sandgrounders let slip a 3-1 lead at home to Ebbsfleet and both goals came after the 88th minute. The draw ended their hopes of a play-of berth.

