Clarets boss Stan Ternent is not expecting the race for the play-offs to resolve itself until the final day of the season.

While victory today against Gillingham would put the Clarets perfectly placed to claim a play-off slot, mathematically not one of the seven sides in the race for the three positions behind West Bromwich Albion can be dropped.

The Clarets, if results go the right way, could possibly ensure their position at Grimsby Town next Saturday, but Ternent was prepared for the race to go to the wire.

"It could go as far as the last game against Coventry," admitted Ternent, whose side complete their campaign against the Sky Blues at Turf Moor on Sunday, April 21.

"It is all still so tight at the top and there are still so many clubs involved that I can see it going all the way to the wire.

"But if that is how it turns out then that is fine."

The Sky Blues were at fellow play-off candidates Preston North End today, and then face another side aiming for a top six spot in Millwall at Highfield Road before their trip to Turf Moor.

So Ternent's side could well face opponents still firmly in the frame and Ternent was relishing the prospect of two more huge games before the end of the season.

"Knowing us it probably will go right to the end, we never seem to do things the easy way," smiled Ternent.

"But I am enjoying the situation we are in and the tension of it all.

"But whichever way things fall then all we can do is give it our best shot."

The idiosyncrasies of the Nationwide First Division campaign were perfectly illustrated last night when Steve Claridge scored arguably the most important goal of the season so far.

It earned Millwall a 1-0 win over fellow promotion candidates Wolves and meant that the Londoners leapfrogged over the Clarets and into fourth place.

Added to that, the result promoted Manchester City into the Premiership and Kevin Keegan's side were hoping to clinch the championship this afternoon when they entertained Barnsley at Maine Road.

And Claridge's goal also took Wolves' destiny out of their own hands as West Brom are now in the box seat as, although level on points with Wolves, they have a game in hand and are now favourites to clinch the second and final automatic promotion place.

After the match, victorious Millwall manager Mark McGhee paid tribute to old warhorse Claridge.

"He just confounds you," said McGhee. "He's 36 next week and I played until I was 34. He goes on and on and on.

"I thought we had a height advantage and a goal might come from a set-piece but I didn't bank on a penalty.

"Steven Reid produced the sort of performance we needed, he has not played like that for us for quite a while. I am sure (Republic of Ireland manager) Mick McCarthy will have taken note.

"I cannot underestimate the influence of Dion Dublin in the squad. It's not just in the team but simply his being there."

And on beating one of his former employers the Millwall boss said: "They beat us, we have beaten them. I will be quite happy if they get promoted - but obviously I hope not at our expense."

Wolves manager David Jones was distinctly down-beat as, at a crucial time of the season, his side have won just once in the last eight matches.

But he tried to put a brave face on Wolves' faltering promotion hopes, saying: "Nothing is decided yet. There are still two games to go and there is still a chance we can get automatic promotion."