HERE we go. The Football League play-offs got underway last night with all first leg ties - at the very least - done and dusted by Sunday evening.

For the 12 teams contesting the end of season lottery there is a roller-coaster of emotions to come, whether you consider yourself underdogs or favourites, or fortunate to be involved or deserving of promotion.

Fulham fall firmly into the latter category of both options having missed out on promotion back to the Premier League last weekend. Victory over Birmingham would have seen them pip Cardiff City to second and Slavisa Jokanovic’s men will be ruing their luck.

Derby County, who have won two of their last three games to build up a head of steam, lie in wait for Fulham tonight, before Aston Villa make their way to Middlesbrough in the other Championship play-off semi-final.

It’s Tony Pulis’ Boro versus Steve Bruce’s Villa. Two old school managers battling it out for another shot at the big time.

Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane knows Middlesbrough, who have former Villain Adama Traore in their ranks, will be a tough nut to crack.

“Anyone who makes the play-offs is a good side. It’ll be a tough test,” he said.

The return legs see Fulham host Derby on Monday, before Middlesbrough head to Villa Park on Tuesday.

I’ll plump for Fulham and Villa to progress with the latter’s big game experience coming out on top.

In League One, Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst has set his stall out.

The Shrews finished 16 points clear of Charlton, who played hosts last night, but Hurst said: “We’ve been the team that’s stuck out like a sore thumb. Shrewsbury? What are they doing there?

“A lot of talk seems to be about Rotherham and Scunthorpe and then I look at the size of Charlton.”

Shrewsbury entertain Charlton in the second leg on Sunday, a day after the first meeting between Scunthorpe and Rotherham.

Scunthorpe haven’t lost since March 17 - against Shrewsbury - and it’s hard to look past the duo contesting the final with the Iron recording a memorable victory.

The League Two play-offs look to be the most closely contested of all. Just five points separated fourth placed Exeter City and Lincoln City, who finished seventh, level on points with Coventry, who tackle Notts County.

Kevin Nolan’s Notts County appeared set for automatic promotion before a tricky run at the turn of the year, but the former Newcastle, West Ham and Bolton midfielder isn’t fazed by the challenge.

“There’s no better feeling than going up through the play-offs,” said Nolan ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Coventry.

“We’ve worked hard to get there and we deserve to be there. No matter what happens from now, I’m proud of every one of them and what they’ve done.”

Lincoln entertain Exeter tomorrow and Danny Cowley’s Imps’ big game experience will tell before they beat Notts County.

Whatever happens, it certainly won’t be dull.

TOM NORRIS