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30
Apr
Harrogate Town: What results do Simon Weaver's men need to survive?
Harrogate Town head into arguably their most important match since promotion to the English Football League this weekend.
Town currently sit second bottom of League Two on goal difference and face Barnet on Saturday, who are chasing a play-off place, in the final game of the season.
It means Harrogate's EFL status rests on what happens in the 90 minutes at Wetherby Road this weekend.
Town fans will also have one eye on their phones to keep a close watch on Crawley Town, Newport County and Tranmere Rovers’ scores.
EFL League Two bottom five going into the last day.
Those results will also dictate whether Harrogate stay up or make an unwelcome return to the National League for the first time in six years.
So what results do Town need to remain in the EFL? Here are the permutations.
Harrogate win
It goes without saying that Harrogate need to win against Barnet to give themselves the best chance to stay in the division.
A win would mean that just one of Crawley, Newport and Tranmere would need to lose or draw for Town to secure a spot in League Two next season.
Three points would see Harrogate finish the season on 42 points, meaning all three of the sides above them would have to win to deny them survival.
Harrogate draw
A draw against Barnet leaves much of Harrogate’s fate in the hands of others.
Currently, Harrogate sit in the relegation zone level on points with Crawley but with a worse goal difference.
However, Newport and Tranmere sit one point ahead with only the Birkenhead side with a worse goal difference than Harrogate.
The home dugout at Harrogate Town's Exercise Stadium.
Should Town take a point on Saturday, it would mean the Sulphurites relying on either Crawley or Tranmere losing to have the best chance of survival.
A loss for Newport is unlikely to be enough as they have a better goal difference than Harrogate.
The Welsh side would need to lose by three clear goals to drop into the bottom two in the event of a Harrogate draw and other sides winning.
Harrogate lose
If Harrogate lose on Saturday, they are relegated. It’s as simple as that.
The only possible scenario where Town remain in the division after a loss is if Crawley lose by a greater goal margin at home to Salford City.
However, it is fair to say that a defeat against Barnet would likely seal Harrogate's relegation to the National League.
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