Scene-setter: Stakes high for Boro, Barnsley, Leeds, Halifax and Guiseley

Here are five things to ponder ahead of tonight’s action.

1: Middlesbrough v Reading

Boro fans followed events intently at the City Ground last night and there was deflation at the end as persistent Brighton continued their imposing form by recording a last-gasp win at Nottingham Forest - cutting the gap between themselves and second-placed Boro to a point.

The Teessiders play their game in hand tonight - and they can go two points clear of Burnley with victory. The stakes are sky-high

A win over Reading, unbeaten in their past four against Boro, is a must, especially with Brighton facing two successive home matches and Aitor Karanka’s side visiting Burnley on Tuesday.

2: Birmingham City v Leeds United

It was at St Andrews where Steve Evans signed off as Rotherham manager with a fine 2-0 win in September - and how he would savour anything resembling a repeat.

Leeds battled and really should have taken a point at Burnley on Saturday, but proved profligate. Another solid and consistent performance, but with a bit more cutting edge, is the aim in the second city as Evans knows that only wins will do if he has to somehow remain as Leeds head coach beyond the season’s end.

Leeds may be safe in 15th spot, but they are just two points above fourth from bottom Rotherham United - with seven clubs, including Huddersfield, separated by a mere two points.

A seasonal finish below Neil Warnock’s Millers and Town would be another kick in the teeth for United.

3: Barnsley v Oldham Athletic

With fourth facing fifth with Gillingham visiting Walsall, someone will relinquish points in the League One play-off stakes, and it is up to seventh-placed Barnsley to cash in by beating a stubborn Oldham side and cutting the gap to a manageable one between themselves and the top six ahead of the weekend trip to Burton.

It is now effectively cup football for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy winners, who showed their offensive traits in the weekend game with Chesterfield, but failed to keep the back door shut en route to a 2-1 loss.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side probably can not afford any more slips if they are to turn a memorable season into a truly miraculous one.

4: Kidderminster Harriers v FC Halifax Town

An inexplicably limp 2-0 home loss to Aldershot was poor preparation for the Shaymen’s trip to basement boys Kidderminster Harriers, with manager Jim Harvey scathing of their weekend display.

After meekly passing up the chance to record back to back wins for just the third time this term, Halifax, one place above the drop zone, cannot afford a repeat against Harriers, who are all but relegated.

5: Guiseley v Wrexham

The Lions are doing plenty right and, in terms of effort and endeavour, their recent performances cannot be faulted.

But the fact remains that they have not won in the league for two months and have not triumphed in the league at Nethermoor since November 28.

Mark Bower would settle for a rubbish performance tonight if it yielded three precious points as he knows full well that the two-point buffer that his side have had over the bottom four for the past few weeks will not last forever.

Wrexham arrive in West Yorkshire knowing only a win will do if they are to keep their play-off hopes alive.