National League play-offs move step closer after League Two clubs curtail season and vote for relegation to go ahead

On Tuesday League Two clubs voted for the campaign to end early and “overwhelmingly agreed” to adopt the EFL’s proposal on how the season should be concluded.

This means final league positions in League Two have been determined on unweighted points per game with promotions, play-offs and relegations going ahead as normal.

Swindon Town, Crewe Alexandra and Plymouth Argyle have all been promoted automatically while Colchester United, Exeter City, Northampton Town and Cheltenham will battle it out in the play-offs.

However, bottom club Stevenage have not yet been relegated to the National League because of an “ongoing disciplinary matter” relating to late payment of players’ wages at Macclesfield Town which will result in a points deduction if they are found guilty.

The EFL also want assurances that the 2020/2021 National League season will go ahead so that the team relegated have a league to play in.

The EFL said in a statement: “Under the proposals agreed by clubs, the 24th placed club in the League Two will be relegated to the National League provided the board receives the necessary assurances that the National League will start season 2020/21. Due to ongoing disciplinary matters, the final placings cannot yet be confirmed.”

League Two clubs had previously indicated to the EFL that they wished to scrap relegation to the fifth tier this season suggesting it would be unfair with 10 matches still to be played.

But the EFL rejected these calls and said it wanted consistency of promotions, play-offs and relegations throughout its three divisions.

This proposal was put to EFL clubs at a meeting on Tuesday and they gave it the green light.

Macclesfield have already been deducted 11 points this season and were warned they would be deducted another two points if they did it again.

The League Two play-offs wil start on Thursday, June 18.