The definitive guide to the play-offs – can the Silkmen finish 3rd?

Macc closing in on top seven finish

We’re just four weeks away from the end of the regular season and several National League North teams still have all to play for. Despite not playing on Saturday, Macclesfield remain fourth on 67 points, crucially six points ahead of eighth placed Telford and tantalisingly only two points behind third-placed Kidderminster in the table.

As a reminder, teams finishing between second and seventh in the league secure a play-off spot. But crucially, those finishing second and third go straight through to the play-off semi-finals AND will have home advantage. Whilst either AFC Fylde or South Shields will finish second, third-place remains up for grabs for the Silkmen.

Remarkably with games in hand, late surges in form and alarming drop-offs in results, up to 11 teams have a chance of making the play-offs, from third-placed Kidderminster to Marine currently in 13^th. In this updated article of my previous piece, we’ll predict which teams are looking most likely to secure a top seven finish, and estimate how many points will be needed to secure 7^th and 3^rd place.

How many points will Macc need for a play-off place?

Yesterday’s results saw defeats for Kidderminster and Darlington, Macclesfield and Merthyr didn’t play, whilst Scarborough and Telford (in seventh and eighth respectively) could only manage draws at home. But the chasing pack of Buxton, Chester and Spennymoor picked up wins to narrow the gap to the play-offs.

Teams are running out of road with the majority having only five or six games remaining, in contrast to Macc who have eight fixtures left in what will be a busy end to the season. My original prediction stands in that I believe 73pts will be enough to secure 7^th place, but given how many of the play-off contenders have to play each other, a low of 71pts might be sufficient to scrape over the line.

For Macclesfield, two more wins from our final eight games would put us in a very strong position to secure a play-off place.

Is third place up for grabs?

Absolutely. It was even before yesterday, but following Kidderminster’s shock loss to Oxford City the battle for third is well and truly on between the Silkmen and the Harriers, with Merthyr and Darlington rank outsiders. Kidderminster currently occupy third on 69 points having played 39 games, with Macclesfield two points behind them with a game in hand.

As you’ll see below, Kidderminster’s run-in is much easier compared to ours though making them the favourites to clinch a home semi-final tie in the play-offs with either Fylde or South Shields claiming the other. To grab third, I think the Silkmen are probably looking at a low of 81 points and a high of 84 points, which would possibly require five more victories from our last eight – a tall order given the difficulty of our run-in.

If you’re glass half-full you’ll be looking upwards at the National League North table. If you’re glass half-empty (like me), you’ll be nervously looking over your shoulder and gladly take fourth or fifth place which will guarantee home advantage in the play-off quarter finals.

The leading contenders

Kidderminster Harriers

Current position: 3^rd, 69pts

Games remaining: 7

Home: Hereford, King’s Lynn, South Shields

Away: Radcliffe, Spennymoor, Telford, Leamington

Current form (last 6): 9^th, 10pts

Average PPG of remaining opponents: 1.33

Comment: Kidderminster blew a chance to go five points clear of Macclesfield in third place by suffering a 3-2 loss at the improving Oxford City. The Harriers’ defence has been the cornerstone of their promotion push – no team has gained more clean sheets than them in the NLN (16). So what a time to concede three at lowly Oxford without their number one goalkeeper Christian Dibble and enterprising full-back Joe Foulkes.

Dibble and Foulkes were stretchered off following a sickening clash at Radcliffe last week which led to the game being abandoned. The fixture will need to be replayed, but it would be a surprise to see either player feature again this season – a huge blow for the Harriers. Whilst manager Adam Murray did bring in reinforcements before Thursday’s transfer deadline day, Kiddy fans are suddenly nervous about their promotion chances.

They remain favourites to finish third, but still face tricky fixtures against Spennymoor, Telford and South Shields in their remaining seven games. If they do have a wobble, Macclesfield are the most likeliest to overtake them.

Macclesfield FC

Current position: 4^th, 67pts

Games remaining: 8

Home: Chester, Spennymoor, Southport

Away: Hereford, Buxton, Merthyr, South Shields, Radcliffe

Current form (last 6): 7^th, 12pts

Average PPG of remaining opponents: 1.54

Comment: Despite disappointing recent defeats to Chorley and Telford, back-to-back wins over struggling Hereford and Alfreton have catapulted Macclesfield up to fourth in the table – their highest position of the season. In 2026, the Silkmen’s league currently stands at: Won 12, Drawn 1, Lost 4, which equates to 37 points from 17 games and a PPG of 2.17. Had Macc replicated this over the course of the season, we’d currently be vying for automatic promotion with Fylde and South Shields!

The FA Cup run has enabled manager John Rooney to strengthen his squad at a crucial point in the season, with midfielder Harry McHugh being the latest addition. The Silkmen still look light upfront, although the loan signing of Anjola Popoola will lighten the burden on James Gale following the departure of D’Mani Mellor.

Macclesfield’s run-in is tough and their results over Easter against Buxton and Chester may determine whether we are looking upwards towards 3^rd, or looking anxiously over our shoulders to secure a play-off berth. On a positive note the Silkmen are in the ascendency, it’s very much in our hands, and having improved their shaky away form from earlier in the season Macclesfield fans will quietly fancy our promotion chances.

Merthyr Town

Current position: 5^th, 66pts

Games remaining: 6

Home: Oxford, Macclesfield, AFC Fylde

Away: Hereford, Marine, Scarborough

Current form (last 6): 17^th, 6pts

Average PPG of remaining opponents: 1.48

Comment: As stated last time, Merthyr’s drop-off in form is so disastrous that they are in danger of missing out on the play-offs altogether after they previously occupied third place from mid-November until only a couple of weeks ago. 9 defeats in their last 13 league games, and just 3 wins is more like relegation form. The loss of star striker Ricardo Rees to Forest Green has hit the Welshmen hard, and whereas the Silkmen have dusted themselves down and rebounded after also losing D’Mani Mellor to Robbie Savage, clearly Merthyr don’t have the same squad depth.

The Martyrs still have to play the Silkmen, Fylde, Marine and Scarborough in their remaining games, not to mention the vastly improving Oxford City – currently fourth in the form table with 13pts from their last six. It would be no surprise If Merthyr capitulated on missed out on the play-offs given their current trajectory.

Darlington

Current position: 6^th, 65pts

Games remaining: 5

Home: Scarborough, Marine, Oxford

Away: South Shields, Telford

Current form (last 6): 12^th, 9pts

Average PPG of remaining opponents: 1.61

Comment: Darlington have lost three of their last five games against Buxton, Kidderminster and Fylde, and yesterday’s loss to the Coasters consigned them to back-to-back defeats. On paper, Darlo also have the toughest run-in of any play-off contender. In Cedric Main and Jack Maskell, the Quakers have quality upfront, but they are not the most resolute defending. Whilst they do currently have a cushion on eighth place, it could go right down to the wire as to whether Darlington cling on for a play-off place.

Scarborough

Current position: 7^th, 63pts

Games remaining: 5

Home: Spennymoor, Merthyr

Away: Darlington, Buxton, Bedford

Current form (last 6): 11^th, 10pts

Average PPG of remaining opponents: 1.49

Comment: Whatever happens, Scarborough have had a magnificent season and overachieved. Whilst they’ve not been able to sustain their brilliant start, they’ve remained firmly entrenched in the play-offs for the most part and continue to pick up points. The Seadogs are unbeaten in seven games, but five of these have ended in draws, which could end up costing them dearly given that four of their remaining five fixtures are against their play-off rivals.

Telford

Current position: 8^th, 61pts

Games remaining: 5

Home: Kidderminster, Darlington

Away: Chester, Peterborough, Southport

Current form (last 6): 13^th, 8pts

Average PPG of remaining opponents: 1.39

Comment: After a superb run, Telford are just starting to run out of steam at a vital time in the season. Just two wins in their last six (one of them against Macclesfield), which include a damaging defeat against basement side Leamington and a home draw against struggling Bedford. With star striker Matt Stenson still out injured, the Bucks are not looking as threatening in front of goal.

It’s still in Telford’s hands though given they have Kidderminster, Darlington and Chester to play, plus away trips to relegation threatened Peterborough and an in-form Southport (but who have nothing to play for). Don’t count Telford out!

Buxton

Current position: 9^th, 60pts

Games remaining: 6

Home: Macclesfield, Scarborough, Leamington

Away: Worksop, Alfreton, Curzon

Current form (last 6): 15pts, 1st

Average PPG of remaining opponents: 1.24

Comment: Buxton are on the coat tails of teams in the play-offs having capitalised on a very charitable run of fixtures to accumulate 15pts from their last 6 games. With by far the easiest run-in of any play-off contender, the Bucks look a great bet to secure a top 7 finish. Good Friday’s clash against the Silkmen at Buxton will be huge – if the Bucks can draw or win that they will be in a strong position to earn a play-off spot for the second consecutive season.

Chester

Current position: 10^th, 60pts

Games remaining: 5

Home: Telford, Fylde, King’s Lynn

Away: Macclesfield, Oxford

Current form (last 6): 13pts, 6th

Average PPG of remaining opponents: 1.56

Comment: Chester’s seasoned looked doomed, however the departure of much-maligned manager Callum McIntyre and subsequent appointment of caretaker Connor Rawlinson has sparked the Seals into life. Seven wins in 11 have given Chester a chance of making the play-offs, with a huge game against the Silkmen on Easter Monday to come in front of a bumper crowd.

The Seals are in the ascendency, but also accident prone as evidenced by their defeats to Hereford (5-2) and Southport (2-1) in recent weeks. There’s little margin for error for Chester in their five remaining, tough games and they may just run out of time to make the play-offs, not helped by their -3 goal difference.

Spennymoor

Current position: 11^th, 60pts

Games remaining: 6

Home: Kidderminster, South Shields, Worksop, Marine

Away: Scarborough, Macclesfield

Current form (last 6): 5^th, 13pts

Average PPG of remaining opponents: 1.53

Comment: Spennymoor have been sneaking up on the blindside, slowly but surely creeping up the table and are now just three points outside of the play-offs following four wins in five. Their run-in though is amongst the most challenging of any of the chasing pack – Kidderminster, South Shields, Marine, Scarborough and the Silkmen all to come which makes them outsiders to break into the play-offs. Spennymoor have finished eighth in the last two seasons, and the smart money is on them to agonisingly miss out again, particularly given their goal difference currently stands at an eyewatering -9 which is by far the worst of any play-off contender.

Radcliffe

Current position: 12^th, 56pts

Games remaining: 7

Home: Kidderminster, Curzon, South Shields, Macclesfield

Away: Worksop, Fylde, Hereford

Current form (last 6): 24^th, 1 pt

Average PPG of remaining opponents: 1.61

Comment: Six defeats in seven and a nightmare run-in to come, Radcliffe’s play-off hopes are in ruin. They’ve slipped from 5^th in January to 12^th and it would take a miracle now for them to address this slide in fortune to have a remote chance of competing for the play-offs. Radcliffe’s players should be on the beach when they entertain the Silkmen on the final day.

Marine

Current position: 13^th, 55pts

Games remaining: 9

Home: Chorley, Hereford, Merthyr, Alfreton

Away: Fylde, Southport, Darlington, Hereford, Spennymoor

Current form (last 6): 16^th, 7pts

Average PPG of remaining opponents: 1.34

Comment: Marine can now concentrate on the league following their gallant FA Trophy semi-final defeat to Wealdstone. They are the rank outsiders to make the play-offs – currently eight points adrift of seventh, but they have as many as four games in hand on their rivals. However, 9 fixtures in 26 days between now and the end of the season will put enormous strain on Marine’s threadbare squad, although their run-in looks relatively favourable on paper. The Mariners will probably need to win 6 more games to stand a chance – not impossible, but with fatigue thrown into the mix a play-off place looks beyond them.

The Silkmen News predictions

Champions: AFC Fylde

2^nd: South Shields

3^rd: Kidderminster Harriers

4^th: Macclesfield FC

5^th: Buxton

6^th: Darlington

7^th Telford