The playoffs took a back seat to the election fever gripping the country yesterday. League 1 kicked thing off: 

 

Chesterfield 0-1 PNE. PNE have never been promoted through the playoffs but this could be their year. They scored after 6 mins. Chesterfield grew into the game and were unlucky in the end. Although Jimmy Ryan was a lucky boy. He elbowed Paul Gallagher in the face but escaped with a yellow card. 

 

Sheffield Utd 1-2 Swindon. Big budget United fail miserably at home. That's my headline. United took the lead but Swindon showed no fear and deservedly won the game in injury time. Their counter attacking play is a joy to watch. Investment in their youth system is really paying off. 

I hope Swindon win, personally.

I don't like Preston all that much or Sheffield United, Chesterfield belong in the lower tiers too.

Thanks for that Joe.

Last night was apparently the first time we have won there since 1970ish.

Still a long way to go and they have a strong squad, a good manager and nothing to lose.

Brentford 1-2 Middlesboro. Harsh on the home side. Last minute winner for Boro. Draw would have been a fair result.

Ipswich 1-1 Norwich. Tense is the best way of describing this game. A draw was about right. Not much quality on show. Typical derby I suppose.

Norwich- boro and PNE -Swindon   favourites for the final then?Still wide open!

Plymouth 2-3 Wycombe. Extraordinary game. Wycombe lead 3-0 after 52 minutes. Looked to be done and dusted but 2 goals in the last 4 minutes gives Plymouth a fighting chance. No away goals in the playoffs.

I think I would favour Norwich, Swindon and Wycombe to make a step up through the play offs

PNE 3-0 Chesterfield. 4-0 on agg. Very harsh on Chesterfield. They could easily have won the tie. The difference? Preston took their chances. Beckford's 2nd goal was sublime. Lobbed the keeper from the half way line.

There has been some good football shown already in the play offs, chesterfield always looked likely to lose to preston. they are a totally different level, it will be between preston and swindon.

Promotion will be down to however performs best of the day imo.

Stevenage 1-1 Southend. Not the greatest of games. Plenty of effort on both sides. There was a sickening clash of heads in the first half. Both players requiring stitches. Timlin from Southend got 15. Ouch.

I'm glad Chesterfield are out of it I used to work there and still in contact with some Spireites fans who took great pleasure in ribbing me on our relegation.

Sod Chesterfield, never good enough but they have had a great season regardless.

Stevenage 1-1 Southend. Not the greatest of games. Plenty of effort on both sides. There was a sickening clash of heads in the first half. Both players requiring stitches. Timlin from Southend got 15. Ouch.

 

The worst part of having stitches is having them taken out later. Ouch indeed!

swindon and sheff utd play later tonight right? any score predictions folks?

Swindon leading 3- 2 at the moment tonight.

Swindon 5-5 Sheffield Utd. 7-6 on agg. Incredible game. Swindon 3 up inside 20 mins. Utd pull it back to 3-2. Then 4-2, 4-3, 5-3. Game over? Nope. 2 late goals. 5 each. Blades went down fighting, Swindon off to Wembley.

Just back from the match. Feel drained. Actually lost count of the score. Second half was never ending. Thought my stopwatch had failed but it was true ... seven minutes added time. Now Garner and Beckford await at 17.30 on a Sunday afternoon/evening.

Good luck @medievalmickey but I won't be saying that next season if you win.

Still a long way to go @super_ram but should we make it Derby away is a possibility because, as I have said, my wife's cousin is a season ticket holder there.

Very best wishes,

Mickeyr

Swindon impressed me in the 2 games against the Blades. PNE were a little shaky I thought in their 2 games. It's 50/50 I reckon. The difference could well be Beckford and Garner, they have linked up brilliantly. PNE might only get a couple of chances, but these 2 will bury them, Swindon have to tighten up.

Problem is Swindon bottle pressure and pop under heat, I think you call that popcorn. Preston should win but it will be close, possibly even finished by penalties.

No penalties please or we will all be in London until midnight!

 

What a great idea to kick off at 17.30 on a Bank Holiday Sunday.

Preston do a pretty nice turn in bottling it too, as we found out to our cost. Maybe they'll both lose?

 

That kick-off time is a disgrace. The fans should come before TV audiences.

Preston do a pretty nice turn in bottling it too, as we found out to our cost. Maybe they'll both lose?

That kick-off time is a disgrace. The fans should come before TV audiences.

I have to agree, it is like our game against Gillingham. TV should be set around football, not the other way around. Hopefully Swindon win, I cannot stand Preston fans.