IT’S shaping up to be a thrilling end to the season and Akil Wright wouldn’t be surprised if the race for automatic promotion in League Two goes down to the wire.

Former Wrexham midfielder Wright is enjoying a fine campaign with Stockport County who are challenging a top-three finish, but the Hatters face fierce competition in the quest to go straight up.

Mansfield are currently top while Crewe Alexandra and MK Dons are also in the mix along with Wrexham and Stockport going down the final straight, with each club having less than 10 games left during the run-in.

“It is brilliant,” said Wright. “That is what you play football for, to be part of something like this.

“We are getting to the best part of the season now and every game is important.

“From the top to MK Dons, the gap is so small and the pressure is on everybody.

“We were top of the league for so long and now we are chasing for the top spot.

“But it has been exciting these last few months and I can’t really see anybody running away with it as such.

“I just looking forward to the challenge. You just want to make sure you do your part first and win games, and then look at the other results and hopefully other teams do us favours.”

Stockport pipped Wrexham to the National League title in 2021-22 but Phil Parkinson’s men claimed the same accolade 12 months later following a record-breaking campaign.

Only one automatic promotion place was up for grabs in the fifth tier but three teams will go straight up to League One.

“It makes a massive difference,” said Wright. “It gives more teams the opportunity to go straight up.

“Even with the play-offs, the gap from seventh to maybe 14th isn't much so it is a very competitive division and a lot of teams have got the opportunity to get promoted.”

Stockport, in their first season back in League Two, missed out on the top-three in 2022-23 and suffered more heartbreak after reaching the play-off final as Carlisle won a penalty shoot-out at Wembley to clinch promotion.

“Last season was difficult to take, especially losing at Wembley,” said Wright, who moved to Edgeley Park in the summer of 2022 after a stint with York City.

“But before you know it you are back in for the new season and the objective stays the same - promotion.

“We are in a good place but nothing is won yet. Hopefully at the end of it we will be where we want to be.”

Wright, who joined Wrexham in the summer of 2017 and made nearly 100 league appearances during his three-season stint at The Racecourse, is pleased to see his former club doing well. 

“At the start of the season I thought Wrexham would be up there fighting for promotion,” he said.

“Obviously a lot has changed since I was at the club but even though they are a rival now, it is good to see the club on the up and doing well for themselves.

“I have been lucky to play for Wrexham and Stockport, two big clubs.

“I am enjoying where I am now and hopefully I can be part of success this season.”

In a twist of fate, Wrexham host Stockport on the final day of the season.

“That game could be very interesting if nothing is decided by then!” said Wright about the fixture on April 27.