You’ve heard the experts, now listen to the journalists. Our team of writers has packaged every one of the weekend’s games into three bite-sized paragraphs – and thrown in their own correct score verdicts for good measure…

Hereford v Shrewsbury (13:00)

Hereford go into this local clash still with plenty of work to do to pull clear of the play-off places. They sit five points clear of the bottom two after taking four points from six. However, Jamie Pitman’s men have struggled at home, failing to win in their last six.

Shrewsbury sit just four points adrift of the automatic promotion places after back-to-back victories over fellow promotion hopefuls. But their away form needs some work. It’s now one goal and one point from their last three matches on their travels.

After facing two top-half sides in recent games, this will prove to be a different test for Town. They have slipped up against Northampton and Bradford in recent weeks and Graham Turner’s men may be in for more away frustration at Edgar Street.

Verdict: Hereford 1-1 Shrewsbury

Accrington v Gillingham

Accrington saw boss John Coleman end his 13-year association with the club this week to take over at Rochdale. Experienced midfielders Leam Richardson and Bryan Hughes are set to manage first-team affairs on an interim basis before a permanent successor is found.

Gillingham are looking to bounce back from two successive defeats which have seen them drop out of the play-off places. Boss Andy Hessenthaler was furious with his side on Saturday as they let a 3-1 lead slip to lose to Wimbledon.

It’s difficult to know what to expect from Accy as they start life without Coleman, the manager who guided them from non-league obscurity to the brink of promotion to League One. But the way the Gills are going on the road, Stanley may be able to edge it.

Verdict: Accrington 2-1 Gillingham

Barnet v Crewe

Barnet have won three league matches in succession to move eight points clear of the relegation places. Lawrie Sanchez’s men are unbeaten in three at Underhill, too, with a handful of young loan signings giving them a valuable lift. Steve Kabba and Danny Senda remain long-term absentees.

Crewe boss Steve Davis admits he is eyeing a charge towards the play-off places after a run of four wins in five. The Alex were too strong for Dagenham last time out while they claimed an impressive victory at Oxford a fortnight ago. Carl Martin and Lee Bell are doubtful through injury.

Both sides are enjoying good runs of form but the visitors, who sit just three points outside the top seven, may have the desire to end the Bees’ good run and edge further up the table.

Verdict: Barnet 1-2 Crewe

Bristol Rovers v Bradford

Bristol Rovers beat high-flying Cheltenham on Saturday in Mark McGhee’s first game in charge. The Pirates are unbeaten in the league since Paul Buckle’s sacking with caretaker Shaun North masterminding a victory at Hereford and home draw with Crawley.

Bradford sit six points above the relegation zone but Phil Parkinson’s men are without a win in three. In each of their last two they have dropped points from winning positions. The Bantams have managed just one victory on the road all season, although that came at Southend last month.

Since Buckle’s exit Rovers have proved there is plenty of quality in their ranks and as confidence returns with the arrival of McGhee they ought to start moving up the table. City struggle on the road and the may come unstuck again.

Verdict: Bristol Rovers 2-0 Bradford

Dagenham v Rotherham

Dagenham dropped into the bottom two on Saturday after a heavy loss at Crewe and it didn’t get much better on Tuesday as they went down 1-0 at Torquay. It’s now four without a victory for John Still’s men who have already endured a ten-match winless run this term.

Rotherham’s play-off charge has been stymied by recent inconsistency. Andy Scott’s men have lost their last two at home with Port Vale surprising them at the Don Valley last time out. Although 13th, the Millers are only five points shy of the top seven.

There’s history between these two – the Daggers defeated the Millers in the 2010 play-off final to earn promotion to League One. The Yorkshire side took the points when they met earlier in the season and they are primed to repeat the trick at Victoria Road.

Verdict: Dagenham 1-3 Rotherham

Macclesfield v Cheltenham

Macclesfield have slipped down to 16th after four successive league defeats. The Silkmen may have been sidetracked by their FA Cup run, which saw them hold Bolton at Moss Rose before losing the replay. Gary Simpson’s men remain comfortable in mid-table, nine points above the drop zone.

Cheltenham aren’t used to bouncing back. They haven’t needed to in recent weeks. Bristol Rovers brought the Robins’ ten-match unbeaten run to an end on Saturday but Mark Yates’ men remain level on points with the leaders.

Yates’ side eased past the Silkmen in the reverse fixture and if they are to prove their title credentials they will need to put in a similar performance this weekend. The way Macc are going at the moment, the visitors should be able to edge it.

Verdict: Macclesfield 1-2 Cheltenham

Port Vale v Plymouth

Port Vale brought their four-match losing run to an end on Saturday with a narrow victory at Rotherham. The success has given the Valiants renewed hope of a play-off push; they currently sit just four points shy of the top seven.

Plymouth have brought in John Deehan as director of football to assist boss Carl Fletcher as the Pilgrims aim to edge clear of the drop zone. Argyle are currently only a point clear of the bottom two after four points from six.

Vale’s inconsistency on home turf has prevented them from making a concerted charge towards the play-off places. And this could strike again on Saturday with the visitors in desperate need of points to give themselves breathing space at the bottom. 

Verdict: Port Vale 1-2 Plymouth

Torquay v Northampton

Torquay cemented their place in the top seven on Tuesday after defeating Dagenham 1-0 at Plainmoor. The Gulls are now eyeing the automatic promotion places and with good reason. They have taken 19 points from a possible 21 at home, conceding only once along the way.

Northampton boss Aidy Boothroyd has called for fight from his side as they continue to struggle at the foot of the table. The Cobblers are rock bottom after one win in 16. That victory came on the road at Morecambe earlier in the month.

Town need to start coming up with points sooner rather than later as a gap begins to open up at the bottom. The new manager’s chopping and changing hasn’t had the desired affect just yet and they are unlikely to get much change in Devon either.

Verdict: Torquay 1-0 Northampton

Wimbledon v Aldershot

Wimbledon appear to have rediscovered the belief which saw them impress in the early weeks of the season. They battled back from 3-1 down to beat Gillingham on the road on Saturday before claiming their first home win in eight on Tuesday.

Aldershot extended their goal drought to six matches on Saturday as they drew 0-0 with Accrington at the Rec. That was only their second point from a possible 18 and leaves them 19th, seven points above the bottom two.

Three wins in succession have seen the Dons climb back into safer confines in mid-table while their opponents continue to plummet. The hosts have an excellent opportunity to move towards the top-half against the goal-shy Shots.

Verdict: Wimbledon 2-0 Aldershot

Burton v Oxford (Sunday 15:00)

Burton have dropped down to ninth after five matches without a win although they did come from behind to claim a draw at Bradford last time out. Paul Peschisolido’s men are just a point outside the top seven and have boosted their ranks with the loan signing of Swansea midfielder Lee Lucas this week.

Oxford occupy the final play-off place but they have taken just one point from their last two matches. However, the U’s have been strong on the road of late, keeping four successive clean sheets to secure two wins and two draws.

Albion have faltered in recent weeks and a play-off spot could swiftly drift away as their rivals continue to pick up points. The Brewers have lost at home to Accrington and Hereford in their last two and United could be the latest side to triumph at the Pirelli.

Verdict: Burton 0-2 Oxford

Visit our At A Glance section for more background on the weekend’s matches.

For League Two betting analysis based on match odds, check out Mike Holden’s preview of the action.