Lincoln v Shrewsbury preview: Relegation beckons for Salop

The reality is everyone connected with Salop has been aware the drop into the fourth tier of English football has been a formality for a while. 

But this weekend, their fate would officially be sealed if they do not better Bristol Rovers' result - they are the side in 20th place in the League One table. 

The Gas, who are in rotten form themselves having lost their last five games on the spin, have a 13-point buffer on Shrewsbury. 

After the game at LNER Stadium, a ground where Salop have struggled in recent years - losing on their last two visits, there will only be 12 points left to play for. 

And even though everyone knows they have been down for some time, the official confirmation will put everyone out of their misery. 

It has been a painful season for Shrewsbury. They have lost 26 of their 41 games to this point, and they have conceded 70 goals while only netting 36 in reply. 

They will not be the first side to be relegated though, that might give supporters a crumb of comfort. Southampton, who have had an equally challenging season in the top flight, dropped out of the Premier League last weekend. 

Head coach Michael Appleton will return to Lincoln, a place where he oversaw 143 matches as their boss between September 2019 and May 2022. 

Town have changed style since the former Pompey boss signed a short-term contract until the end of the season. 

There has been a distinct and conscious effort to keep the ball on the floor more and to build from the back. 

They did it well against Reading on Tuesday evening, and it was arguably their best performance since Appleton’s arrival. 

In his first three games, moves broke down as they headed into the opposition’s half. In part, due to unforced errors by the players more than anything, but still, it meant they did not create much in front of goal. 

On Tuesday, they produced an entertaining display which saw them go much closer to netting a few more goals than the solitary one netted by Taylor Perry, but they lacked composure in the final third, and they failed to capitalise as they were beaten once more. 

Once relegation to the fourth tier is confirmed, then surely the club will decide on Appleton’s future. If the plan is to give him the job full-time, then give it to him, and at least they can have a head start in planning for next season. 

This period has been an audition for both parties. The 49-year-old is a safe pair of hands, and with there being so much uncertainty around the football club at the moment - he feels like the best person to lead them forward. 

If it does happen, then he and director of football Micky Moore will be tasked with dealing with a squad of players which will have 13 players under contract next campaign.