Born and Bred: Colchester United

Ouch, the month that ruined your title charge!

Could still finish in an automatic promotion spot, with a bit of luck.... Only thing you can do now is win your final game and hope for Bolton to be.... well, to be Bolton!

Bad luck on the title race.. Let's hope Bury and Northampton put in a superb performance for there home crowd.

Justice- It really did, gutted about it! Bolton have been in good form recently but hopefully they slip up on the final day for us.

De Magere- Here's to hoping, fingers crossed.

Colchester defender and club captain Luke Prosser has stated that the team 'only have themselves to blame' as they conceded a nine point lead over third place.

United are left relying on Bolton to slip up and for them to get a better result in order to gain automatic promotion to the Championship, a league they were last in back in 2008. Wanderers have been in fantastic form, winning four of their last five games to rise from sixth to second.

The U's however have had very different fortune as of late, collecting just two points from their last six games as they surrendered their place at the top of the league before slipping into the playoff places ahead of the penultimate game of the season.

Ultimately, Colchester fans will keeping an eye on two games crucially, their own home game to Burton Albion and Bolton's away trip to Northampton Town, however Blackburn aren't totally out of the equation despite their odds of promotion being low, they make the short travel to Bury, who's safety in League One was ensured last weekend.

Colchester captain Luke Prosser, one of the standout players this season spoke to us ahead of the game. He told us, 'It's going to be an extremely difficult test for us against Burton and that's where our main focus will be until the final whistle blows, we have to total ignore what's going on at Northampton and ensure we get all three points.'

'It is frustrating that we're left relying on other results to enable us to gain promotion, but we only have ourselves to blame. Our form hasn't been good in the past month or so and it's cost us, I think it has had an impact at the club but we need to move onwards and get the right result on Saturday.'

'Whoever does get that final promotion place and joins MK Dons will have deserved that spot, it's been a tough season for us all and if we do miss out it'll be a huge shame, but I'm confident we can still clinch it. May the best team win is all I can really say.'

Elsewhere, Walsall, Northampton, Luton and Peterborough are all battling for the final two playoff places. Walsall sit two points ahead of Luton who occupy 7th place and three ahead of Peterborough, however Northampton are clinging on by a thread going into the last day, sitting just a point inside of the chasing pack. MK Dons have already claimed the title and Fleetwood, Rochdale, AFC Wimbledon and Port Vale have all been relegated to League Two.

Noooo I can't believe that just happened, hopefully your players can pull their fingers out again and go on and secure the win they need, cos at least then you can say you did all you could!

Just gotta fight for the three points and hope for the best!

LR: Hello and welcome to the final day of the League One season, live on Sky today and more specifically, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium where Colchester United take on Burton Albion. In the studio with me this afternoon is none other than ex Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds midfield, David Prutton.

DP: Afternoon, Lewie.

LR: Colchester then, what exactly happened?

DP: Who knows, Lewie! It's all gone horribly wrong for them at the final stretch. They've been fantastic all season and had quite a lead over the chasing pack until a few weeks ago but I think overconfidence has cost them dearly and they've slipped up, badly, as a result.

LR: The home side have picked up just two points in their past six games ahead of this one, surely that is going to be playing on not just the players minds, but the fans minds as well, David?

DP: Absolutely. You've always got to try and be positive ahead of the game, especially in a game with the capacity this one has. I think with the run-in they've had it's going to be a massive weight on their shoulders and will certainly add pressure. I think to begin with, Colchester will be making a lot of errors but the sooner they settle down, the better chance the crowd has of doing the same and we'll then see a better game.

LR: Colchester know that they need a result this afternoon to stand any chance of promotion, Bolton Wanderers currently sit a point clear of them in that final automatic spot and they travel to Northampton this afternoon. Regardless, here are the teams this afternoon then, starting with Burton's line-up.

Burton Albion XI: McLaughlin, Kane, Baudry, Mousinho, McCrory, Akins, Irvine, Palmer, Meite, Mandeville, Bennett.

Colchester United XI: Brill, Wilson, Digby, Ajayi, Kavanagh, Kasim, O'Sullivan, Dickenson, Wright, Nketiah, Fewster.

Burton Subs: Burke, Byrne, Sordell, Pleguezelo, Naylor, Flanagan, Diakite.

Colchester Subs: Walker, Eastman, Prosser, Murray, Le Fondre, Dragomir, Porter.

LR: Are you surprised to see Luke Prosser dropped in favour of Semi Ajayi?

DP: Slightly, Lewie. I think Prosser isn't 100% following a little bump in training and perhaps Paddy McLaughlin has decided to not risk him, but it does seem a strange decision.

LR: I agree, David. The Colchester side does look very strong, you can't ignore the pairing of Bradley Fewster and Eddie Nketiah, who have ran the league rampant all season. Do you think Colchester may be able to attract the two back next season, whether that be on loan or even a permanent deal?

DP: It'll be difficult but I think so, yes.

LR: The action begins right after the break!

GN: Welcome back! Sadly I'm joined by everyone's least favourite Dane, Alex Stacey.

AS: (eating a Danish Pastry) Don't you mean favourite?

GN: Course, course..

AS: Don't mess with me, I'm 4'10.

GN: Errrr, yeah alright. We're underway here!

5' GN: Blackburn have taken the lead against Bury, James Henry with the goal there. Rovers have an outside chance of promotion so we can't rule them out just yet.

9' GN: Long ball forward from Ajayi here, Nketiah has taken it round the defender one-on-one here!

AS: WHAT A SAVE FROM MCLAUGHLIN IN THE BURTON GOAL!

GN: Great stop, turning it round the post.

12' GN: Good buildup play here from Colchester, they've been in control of this game so far. Nketiah has it outside the area, finds Fewster! His shot is straight at the keeper.

AS: I could have done better than that.

GN: Course you could..

26' GN: Burton have been fairly quiet this afternoon but they're playing the ball around well at the moment, Matty Palmer hits it! Not going to trouble Brill from there.

43' AS: Burton have been limited to shots from outside the area, Bennett has seen an effort of his go flying miles past the post. Colchester look the more comfortable.

45' GN: There's the half-time whistle. Colchester nil, Burton nil at the break.

46' GN: We're underway in the second half here, both sides goalless. No idea where the Dane's gone, but who cares.

52' GN: Colchester have the first opportunity of the second half it seems, Kavanagh finds Kasim... great ball through for Fewster... another great stop from the keeper but Dickenson has it still. Ball into the middle, WRIGHT! Inches away from finding the target!

54' GN: Here is Brennan Dickenson, finds Bradley Fewster who takes on his man, beats another! He's through here! GOAL! Colchester have taken the lead through Bradley Fewster, a great piece of work from the young forward and Colchester are currently going up! McLaughlin is finally beaten and the hosts have a vital goal.

58' GN: All of Colchester's attacks seem to be coming from that left wing and here comes Dickenson again, Fewster now in the area with Nketiah free to his right, lays him off and it's 2-0 here. As simple as you like for Eddie Nketiah and Colchester have doubled their lead.

59' GN: Goal at Gigg Lane! Bury have equalised against Blackburn, an own goal from Sammy Ameobi.

67' GN: O'Sullivan has put a wonderful ball over the top for Fewster to latch onto here, shot saved but it's fell to him again! 3-0 Colchester and the hosts are racing away with it now, surely the three points are there's but promotion is still hanging in the balance!

74' GN: Burton have been totally out of the game in this second half, but here they come through the center. Naylor finds Mandeville who's shot is tipped over the bar from Dean Brill in the Colchester goal. Finally a bit of action for the Scottish keeper. Ball into the middle from Meite, but easily collected by the keeper.

75' GN: Blackburn have taken the lead once again, Carlton Morris has restored parity there.

78' GN: Colchester corner. In from Kavanagh but headed out rather easily by Lucas Akins. Nketiah is first to react here, into Digby...O'Sullivan now on this right hand side, Kavanagh has played a great ball into Dickenson... low cross! Finds Fewster in the middle to wrap up his hat-trick! 4-0 Colchester here, a great result on the final day for them and as it stands they are still going up!

84' GN: News is travelling through here that Bolton have taken the lead against Northampton... Julian N'Goy has scored for them and currently that means they will be going up to the Championship.

90' GN: There's the final whistle here, Colchester United four Burton Albion nil... all they have to do is hope now or it'll be the playoffs for them... and there it is. The full-time whistle has sounded at Sixfields and Bolton Wanderers celebrate their promotion to the Championship. For Colchester it'll be the playoffs... thank you for joining...

AS: Alright let's kick off for the second half!

GN: You've missed the whole of it...

AS: No I haven't?

GN: You have.

AS: FOR F*CK SAKE!

It isn't the title, but it is a shot in promotion!

Ladies and gentlemen, a drumroll please!

Well you did as much as you could, just gotta battle it out in the play-offs now!

De Magere- Got to look at the positives, we can still make it up!

Griffin- *drumroll*

Justice- It'll be a bumpy ride I'm sure.

The League One playoffs have been confirmed following the final matchday this weekend. Colchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Walsall and Luton Town have all secured their places and will all be contesting for a place in the Championship next season.

Colchester narrowly missed out on automatic promotion despite beating Burton Albion 4-0 on the final day as Bolton edged past Northampton in a 1-0 victory. The U's will be bitterly disappointed as they led the league for the majority of the season after Christmas - however failing to win in six games saw their once nine point lead at the top cut drastically.

The partnership of Eddie Nketiah and Bradley Fewster will be one to look out for. The loan duo have scored a combined total of 47 goals in the league this season and have been a vital part of the clubs successful season as they look to go for back-to-back promotions following their title winning season in League Two last year.

Blackburn Rovers were searching for an immediate return to the Championship following relegation last year, however an inability to beat the sides around them seemingly cost them the chance of automatic promotion. Losses to the likes of MK Dons, Bolton, Luton and playoff semi final opponents, Walsall are examples of this.

Rovers have the best defensive record within the league this season, shipping just 43 goals this campaign. This is largely down to the performances of Scott Wharton and Joel Ekstrand, who joined from fellow League One side Rotherham in January.

Walsall were one of two teams who claimed their playoff place on the final day. The Saddlers have enjoyed an excellent season where the expectation was seemingly off their shoulders following a 12th place finish last season as they struggled to replace the goals of ex-hotshot Tom Bradshaw who left to Championship outfit Barnsley.

A large part of the clubs success came from the business they conducted within the Summer window. Francesco Di Nolfo joined on loan from Premier League Southampton and ran the show on the left wing, whilst another Summer signing in Max Clayton did the same but on the right wing as he joined on a free transfer from Bolton.

Luton Town claimed their playoff spot on the last day also, however their circumstances were a lot more difficult than Walsall's. A 1-0 win over Accrington Stanley was enough to hand them a spot as Northampton fell to a late defeat against Bolton which allowed them to sneak above the Cobblers.

Danny Hylton, Jordan Cook and Cameron McGeehan were all standout performers for the Hatters as their attacking power allowed them to pull through in the end as similarly to Colchester they seek back-to-back promotions under manager Nathan Jones, in just his second full season in charge of the club, again much like Colchester's Paddy McLaughlin.

A great preview man! They say the form book goes out of the window for the Play Offs and you've seemingly got rid of your demons to thump Luton and put one foot in Wembley

Griffin- Thanks mate. They do! Glad that's the case as we really needed to book our ideas up - but we delivered just like we did against Burton. Hopefully we can seal our place in the second leg.