The League One promotion race is set for one of the closest finishes in some time with three sides going for two places, and it could mean a record number of points will be needed to secure promotion.

Crunching the numbers from the past 20 seasons, the average number of points needed to claim the title is 94.

To finish second, the average comes up at just below 87, with third place usually achieving around 83.

As things stand, Rovers lead the way on 76, Shrewsbury are on 75 and Wigan on 74 with two games in hand.

With nine games remaining for the leading two and 11 for the Latics, all three could very conceivably finish on more than 90 points.

In the last 20 years the most points to win League One was the 103 achieved by Wolves in 2013/14, one of five instances (Sheffield United 100 in 2016/17, Charlton 101 in 2011/12, Wigan 100 in 2002/03 and Fulham 101 in 1998/99) in which the third tier champions have reached three figures.

The lowest number to win the title was the 82 chalked up by Southend in 2005/06.

For second place, and automatic promotion, the highest points tally is Brentford’s 94 in 2013/14 with the least being Colchester’s 79 in 2005/06.

The most points achieved without winning automatic promotion is 90 by Sheffield United in 2011/12, who lost on penalties in the play-off final to Huddersfield Town.

The lowest points tally to earn a top three spot was Grimsby (72) in 1997/98, though they did win promotion – one of seven instances in which the third-placed side progressed through the play-offs.

The highest number of combined points between the top three sides is the 284 in 2011/12 achieved by Charlton (101), Sheffield Wednesday (93) and Sheffield United (90). The lowest was in 1997/98 Watford (88), Bristol City (85) and Grimsby (72). The average is 263.75.

Rovers, Shrewsbury and Wigan could well better that watermark this term.

The class of 2018 are currently on 225 with a combined 29 games to play. Continue at the rate they are currently earning points and they could reach a combined 285.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Tony Mowbray’s side could find themselves knocked off the top this weekend with Rovers not in action.

A win for Shrewsbury over AFC Wimbledon would send them to the summit while Wigan could also overhaul Rovers if they beat Bury.

Both were in action in midweek when Paul Hurst’s side missed the chance to go top after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Northampton.

Wigan, in FA Cup action last weekend, got back to winning ways in the league on Wednesday with a 3-0 success at Walsall to move two points behind Rovers with two games in hand.

The pace shows no sign of slowing down. Three teams, two promotion spots, one promotion aim. Whoever does miss out on the top two can count themselves unfortunate to have been involved in such a unique year.