How Cambridge United can achieve automatic promotion against Barrow

Cambridge United are on the brink of securing an immediate return to League One as they currently occupy an automatic promotion berth in League Two.

Cameron McJannet's 94th minute goal in a 2-1 defeat at home to play-off chasing Grimsby Town may have stalled their promotion quest, but Neil Harris' side remain in the driving seat with two matches of the season remaining.

The U's boast the best defensive record in the division by some distance having conceded only 33 goals in 44 matches and they will need their defensive resilience to come to the fore with Salford City, Notts County and Swindon Town still breathing down their necks.

Cambridge's superior goal difference might prove invaluable when the full-time whistles are blown across League Two on Saturday 2nd May, but Harris' outfit will be hoping they can wrap up promotion even sooner providing they conquer relegation-threatened Barrow and results elsewhere go their way.

How Cambridge United can secure promotion against Barrow

With just one win in their last six matches, Cambridge must return to winning ways when Barrow visit the Abbey Stadium to have any chance of achieving automatic promotion this weekend.

If Cambridge win, they need favours from Bromley, Colchester United and Grimsby Town. Bromley travel to Salford and the U's need the League Two leaders to take all three points, while Colchester and Grimsby must prevent Notts County and Swindon from winning in their respective matches.

If Cambridge win, Salford lose, and Notts County and Swindon fail to win, Cambridge will seal a top three finish with a game to spare.

In the event that Cambridge win and Salford draw, while the U's will not officially be promoted, their +30 goal difference means they're pretty much guaranteed to go up as they're 22 goals better off than Karl Robinson's men.