How many points are needed to avoid relegation from League Two?

For clubs in England's fourth tier, the danger of relegation can be particularly alarming given the potentially devastating impact of falling out of the Football League.

The bottom end of League Two is a perilous place to be as teams battle to avoid dropping into non-league football.

We examine the average points total League Two clubs are required to reach in order to preserve their Football League status.

How many points are needed to avoid relegation from League Two?

Since the establishment of EFL League Two in its current format in 2004, aside from the curtailed 2019/20 campaign which was ended prematurely by the COVID-19 pandemic, an average of 46.5 points has been enough to avoid relegation.

What is the highest points total to be relegated from League Two?

The highest points total to have been relegated from League Two since its inaugural season in 2004/05 is 51, achieved by Barnet who were relegated on goal difference above Dagenham & Redbridge on the same points in 2012/13.

What is the lowest points total which has avoided relegation from League Two?

The lowest points total to have avoided relegation from League Two is 43, with Newport County staying up with this tally in 2015/16 - the first of two consecutive seasons the Welsh side finished one place above the drop zone in the English fourth tier.

22nd place points totals in last 10 League Two seasons

In the past 10 League Two seasons, the following teams have finished one place above the relegation zone in 22nd:

• 2023/24: Colchester - 45
• 2022/23: Crawley Town - 46
• 2021/22: Barrow - 44
• 2020/21: Scunthorpe - 48
• 2019/20: Morecambe - 32*
• 2018/19: Macclesfield Town - 44
• 2017/18: Morecambe - 46
• 2016/17: Newport County - 48
• 2015/16: Newport County - 43
• 2014/15: Hartlepool - 45

*2019/20 season was curtailed early due to COVID-19 pandemic.