Another weekend of football in the Sky Bet League Two has concluded, and Wycombe Wanderers still lead the pile following their 1-1 draw away to 10th-placed Bury.
First, Cheltenham Town took on Morecambe at Whaddon Road on Friday night. Ultimately, this game came down to three penalties. Striker Jack Dunn, on loan from Liverpool, gave the Robins the lead after just 18 minutes. Morecambe man Jamie Devitt had the opportunity to level, but his penalty hit the post. The Shrimps did find an equaliser in the 83rd minute however, this time Padraig Amond converting and scoring his 6th goal in 25 appearances. Manager Paul Buckle is still looking for his first win at home since taking over the Gloucestershire side.
League leaders Wycombe traveled north to Bury on Saturday. On-loan Millwall striker Fred Onyedinma equalised for the visitors 20 minutes from time, after Danny Mayor had opened the scoring in the first half at Gigg Lane. It was a scrappy game in tough conditions, but nevertheless, Gareth Ainsworth’s side remain top after this away point.
Second-placed Burton Albion failed to capitalise on the Chairboys’ dropped points, as they could only manage the same scoreline away to Portsmouth. Over 14,000 fans turned out at Fratton Park, and the home fans were happier at half time thanks to Jed Wallaces first half strike. The goal came immediately after Albion keeper Jon McLaughlin parried a volley from Andy Barcham, only into the path of Wallace. The Brewers keeper was kept busy, denying Matt Tubbs his first Pompey goal. Burton levelled late on in the game. A powerful run through midfield by Derragh Lenihan led him to goal, and he buried it past Paul Jones. With the 1-1 draw, Burton stay second, one point behind Wycombe.
Newport County travelled to Cambridge United sitting in 3rd place, but an out of character heavy defeat sees them drop to 5th. Cambridge, who face Premier League giants Manchester United in the fourth round of the F.A. Cup, were simply immense. Cameron McGeehan, who was making his debut on loan from Norwich, netted twice. He opened the scoring after taking up Donaldson’s loose ball. Just before the break, Sullay Kaikai doubled the U’s lead with a turn and shot from just outside the box. It continued in the second half, with McGeehan finding his second, before Liam Hughes completed the rout, which finished at 4-0. As for the Exiles, this was just their 2nd defeat in 15 games.
4th placed Shrewsbury were the only top 6 side to play at home this weekend, and they took full advantage with a 3-0 victory over bottom club Hartlepool. The teams went in level at half time after an open and entertaining first 45, with the Pools creating opportunities through Michael Duckworth and Rakish Bingham. In the second half however, Micky Mellon’s men stepped it up, with Andy Managan scoring each side of James Collins. Collins takes his tally to 10 for the season, whilst Managan has now netted 8 in the league. Shrewsbury move up to third, while Hartlepool remain bottom.
The all play-off fixture took place at Home Park where Luton Town travelled to Plymouth. It would be Luton’s first away win since their 2-1 victory at Hartlepool back in October, thanks to midfielder Adam Drury scoring after 22 minutes from a corner. As for Plymouth, they had some decent chances, with on loan debutant Olly Lee coming close with a free kick and Curtis Nelson shooting, both being saved by keeper Mark Taylor. Reuben Reid also failed to add to his 12 goals this season, placing wide. Drury’s goal was the only one in the match, as Luton were the 1-0 victors. Plymouth drop out of the play-off places to ninth, whilst the Hatters move up one place to fourth.
Southend United stay sixth, despite picking up all three points at the Kassam Stadium against Oxford United. A crowd of over 7,000 turned out, and it was the home side that took the lead thanks to 19 year old Callum O’Dowda after just 13 minutes. David Worrall added to his 4 goals this season with a header 10 minutes later, before Southend midfielder Gary Deegan was given his marching orders for a second bookable offense 10 minutes before the break. It only got worse for the away side, as Sam Long opened his Oxford account on the stroke of half time. Southend however had a point to prove, and Joe Piggott nodded in 3 minutes after the restart, before manager Phil Brown was sent to the stands for encroachment onto the pitch. The winner for the Shrimpers came 8 minutes from the end, when Corr turned in Ben Cokers cross. Oxford had two late chances cleared off the line, and were defeated 3-2. They slip to 17th place.
Stevenage move into the play-off places following their 2-0 win away to York City. York have still only won one of their games at home this season, whilst Stevenage have picked up 16 points from a possible 18 and are unbeaten in 6. Goals from Adam Marriott and Tom Pett each side of the interval gave Graham Westley’s squad another 3 points.
Exeter City sit just behind Stevenage following their 3-2 victory away at Mansfield. Tom Nichols gave the Grecians a half time lead, before Adam Murray’s Stags completed a comeback thanks to Billy Kee and Vadaine Oliver. Scott Bennett levelled for the away side with 13 minutes remaining, before Alex Nicholls converted an 83rd minute penalty. Exeter have now won 6 of their 13 away games, and manager Paul Tisdale will be chuffed with his side’s turnaround.
Carlisle have moved up one place further away from the relegation battle, and ended a run of three straight defeats, thanks to an impressive 3-1 victory away to A.F.C Wimbledon. Adebayo Akinfenwa gave the hosts a positive start, converting Callum Kennedy’s cross inside the opening minute. Carlisle levelled through Sean O’Hanlon, before Akinfenwa hit the woodwork. Winger Sean Rigg gave the Cumbrians the lead in the second half, before David Amoo sealed the win in the final minute.
The victory for Carlisle was all the more important as 23rd-placed Tranmere picked up a vital 3 points at home to Accrington Stanley with a 3-0 win. Ryan Donnelly, on loan from Swansea City, netted twice, the first a clinical finish. Shamir Fenelon gave the hosts a two goal advantage going into the break, before Donnelly added his second early in the second half. The win moves Rovers out of the relegation zone. As for Stanley, they drop one place to 14th.
Replacing them in the drop zone are Dagenham and Redbridge, who suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Northampton. Back to back wins for the Cobblers moves them up to 15th, courtesy of a second half goal by Ricky Holmes. Manager Chris Wilder was impressed with his new signings in Brendan Maloney and Jason Taylor.
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