Phil Parkinson’s side are still in pole position to reach the play-offs, but it’s going to be a nervy week

Wrexham’s Josh Windass walks away from referee Sam Allison(Image: PA)

Wrexham are 90 minutes away from a Championship play-off place, with their fate still just about in their own hands.

But the margin for error could not be tighter after a 3-1 defeat to champions Coventry City. Phil Parkinson’s side looked to be on course to hold champions Coventry to a crucial draw at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Sunday to take another solid step towards the play-offs.

Ollie Rathbone had cancelled out Brandon Thomas-Asante’s opener to move them to the brink of a point, only for Victor Torp’s late free-kick to deny Wrexham.

There were chances for Wrexham to salvage a draw late on, but Kieffer Moore was unable to direct a header on target in injury time.

And that proved costly after Ephron Mason-Clarke’s goal in the 94th minute wrapped up victory for Coventry and knocked Wrexham’s goal difference in the process.

Having sealed historic consecutive promotions from the National League all the way to the Championship since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the club, their hopes of reaching the top flight – and achieving four promotions in as many seasons – are still alive with one match left of the season.

However, defeat to the Sky Blues has certainly made things nervy heading ahead of next Saturday.

What do Wrexham need to reach the play-offs?

Wrexham had gone into their penultimate league match of the season already sitting in the play-offs, after Hull City’s 2-1 defeat to Charlton Athletic at The Valley.

As well as preserving their own Championship status, the Addicks had helped out Wrexham by keeping Hull out of the play-off places.

Wrexham could have giving themselves some breathing room after Hull’s result, only for Coventry’s two late goals to wreck that dream.

Hull now sit on 70 points, with a +3 goal difference.

Just ahead of them are Wrexham. They also have 70 points, with a goal difference of +4.

As such, the margins for error next week couldn’t be finer.

Wrexham take on promotion-chasing Middleborough next Saturday (May 2) at the STōK Cae Ras, while Hull are at home to Norwich City.

You also can’t count out Derby County, who are in eighth on 69 points. They are at home against Sheffield United next weekend.

The Rams’ goal difference is better than both Wrexham and Hull – currently being +9.

All matches on the final day kick-off at 12.30pm.

Quite simply, they just need to match or better Hull and Derby’s result next weekend.

If the Wrexham and Hull do end up level on points, Wrexham’s goal difference is currently in their favour – just.

The next deciding factor, goals scored, is just in Hull’s favour – having scored 68 goals to Wrexham’s 67. The remaining tiebreaker, head-to-head, also goes in Hull’s favour – having beaten Wrexham twice in the league this year.

Who could Wrexham face in the play-offs?

The small matter of who Wrexham could play in the play-offs will be decided next weekend – with a number of clubs in the mix.

Coventry are already up as champions, having secured a return to the Premier League following an absence of 25 years.

Below them, a cluster of clubs are fighting it out below them for the final automatic promotion spot.

With two games left to play, Ipswich Town are perhaps best-placed to go straight back up under Kieran McKenna.

The Tractor Boys moved back to second place on Saturday after a goalless draw with West Brom, boasting 80 points with two games left to play and a superior goal difference than the clubs below them.

Victory over Southampton on Tuesday night would all but secure promotion heading into the final day of the season.

However, were the FA Cup semi-finalists – who lost for the first time since January after being beaten by Manchester City at Wembley – to win, then the four-way shootout for second place would remain on the cards.

Below Ipswich, Millwall are currently on 80 points but with just one game to go and a goal difference considerably worse than the clubs around them.

Wrexham’s opponents next week, Middleborough, are fourth on 79 points

Southampton are currently fifth on 76 points, but they do have two games left to play.

Should they make the play-offs, Wrexham will have to concern themselves with whoever finishes third out of those four clubs.

Their first leg would take place on Friday, May 8, at the STōK Cae Ras at 8pm.

The return leg would then be on Monday, May 11 at 8pm.

The Championship play-off final will take place on Saturday, May 23.