Fans in Crewe will have to keep their eyes on results elsewhere next Saturday

The hunt for automatic promotion goes on for MK Dons, but could they secure their spot in League One next season when they take on Crewe on Saturday?

Last weekend’s 2-1 win over leaders Bromley moved Paul Warne’s side to 79 points with three games to go, with a possible haul of 88 on the cards. Historically, no side with 82 points or more has ever failed to secure promotion from the division.

But simply reaching 82 points this season might not be enough with fierce competition in the division, with any of six teams - Bromley, Dons, Cambridge United, Notts County, Swindon Town and Salford City - still capable of finishing in the top three.

Essentially, no - Dons cannot secure automatic promotion at Crewe on Saturday, however, they could all but assure their spot in League One if a few pieces fall into place.

Thursday night’s game between Bromley and Cambridge could secure the Ravens promotion at Hayes Lane with victory, while a win for the U’s would see them climb above Dons in the standings ahead of the trip to Crewe Alexandra this Saturday.

The result of Thursday’s game is ultimately irrelevant for Dons in their hunt for automatic promotion though, with their focus on first beating the Railwaymen at Gresty Road, while keeping an eye on those below them elsewhere. Should Notts County lose, with Swindon and Salford also dropping points, Dons’ superior goal-difference would effectively, not mathematically, be enough.

Dons have a heavy goal-difference advantage over their rivals outside of the top three, with a +36 record compared to +22 of County, +16 of Swindon and +7 of Salford should any of them draw level in the remaining games.

County, after their thumping 4-0 loss to ten-man Cambridge on Saturday, will host in-form Barnet at Meadow Lane, while Swindon host Accrington Stanley at the County Ground and Karl Robinson’s Salford head to Boundary Park to face Oldham Athletic.