The next few matches will determine many of the promotion and relegation issues that are at present undecided.

Each division seems to have a championship or relegation question outstanding and as a consequence the players, managers and us officials begin to feel the pressure.

It appears that only Reading can now relax in the knowledge that they will be playing higher grade football in the next campaign.

I refereed at the Madejski Stadium against Wolves the other week and, even with a lead of some 10 points over their nearest rival, the atmosphere was tangible as they spluttered to a one-all draw, but more importantly another Championship point.

Having said that, I was at Charlton last Saturday who played out a 0-0 draw with Everton. Both teams settled for a draw, probably in the tunnel before the start, and my hardest decision all afternoon was to convince the captains that I had left my coin in the dressing room, thus the reason for using a blade of grass in my hand to decide who kicked off!

Looking at the local league tables, two of our local sides are in for a nervous run in.

Long Buckby look as if they have found some form just at the right moment and my money is on them to avoid the drop.

Woodford, on the other hand, have the title in sight and I wish their chairman, Andy Worrall, all the best in the run in.

For me I have the delights of Millwall v Plymouth on Easter Saturday with the home side facing relegation, then up to the JJB Stadium on Tuesday evening to take charge of Wigan v Aston Villa. Hopefully by then Villa’s nerves will be steady and the prospect of relegation avoided.

With Lent almost over, I can begin once again to relax with a pint of beer, the subject of abstinence for the last 40 days!