A cracking weekend of football has concluded in Sky Bet League Two and we have new league leaders atop the table, and some vital victories for sides involved in a relegation battle.
The league leaders prior to kick off, Wycombe Wanderers, were at home against a struggling Portsmouth side. The Chairboys had previously drawn their last two games whilst on the road and were hoping for all three points this time around at Adams Park. But this Pompey side were having none of it, and despite not winning in their last ten games, they managed to hold the leaders to a credible goalless draw. Gareth Ainsworth won’t be happy with this result, which sees his side slip to 3rd. As for Pompey, they still search for that illusive win, but a point on the road against a strong Wycombe side is relatively decent.
The side the have replaced Wycombe as league leaders are in the in-form Shrewsbury Town, following their 1-0 victory away to Newport County. The goal came late, thanks to Jean-Louis Akpa-akpro in the 77th minute. Salop have lost only once in their previous nine games, and deservedly sit top of the pile. As for the Exiles, they suffered their third straight defeat, but remain in 6th in the play-off places, now four points behind Southend in 5th.
Burton Albion also leapfrog Wycombe following their 1-0 victory over play-off hopefuls Bury. In a week where top scorer Alex MacDonald has agreed to join Oxford United, it was the right back Phil Edwards who netted the winner in the second half. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbainks side had previously drawn their last two fixtures, but are now unbeaten in their previous six at the Pirelli Stadium. As for Bury, they stay 7th and occupy the final play-off place, still with a strong chance of achieving promotion.
Luton Town stay 4th in the league and lead the pile in the playoffs all aiming to achieve promotion. Their 3-2 victory over rivals Cambridge United sees them now sitting just three points behind Wycombe. As for the U’s, they slip to 14th, following their first defeat in four. It turned out to be a tale of two halves at Kenilworth Road, with first half goals from Adam Drury, Luke Wilkinson and Jonathan Smith giving the Hatters a resounding 3-0 advantage at the break. The U’s came out in the second half looking to make amends, but goals from substitutes Johnny Hunt and Robbie Simpson wasn’t enough, as they now focus their attentions on the F.A Cup replay against Manchester United.
Southend United stay 5th after substitute Shaquile Coulthirst netted an 88th minute penalty to seal all three points against a struggling York City side. The Shrimpers are playing well, winning three in succession and in keeping another clean sheet at home, they have conceded just five at Roots Hall all season. As for the Minstermen, they slip to 22nd, level on points with the side in 23rd, and have failed to win in their previous five fixtures.
Stevenage were looking to move into play-off contention when they hosted an Oxford United side who hadn’t won in their last four games. With Bury losing, a victory for the Boro would have seen them level on points with the Shakers, but a defiant Oxford side returned home with all three points courtesy of second half goals from defender Johnny Mullins and teenage winger Callum O’dowda, putting an end to Boro’s eight match unbeaten run at home. This was the U’s first ever victory at Stevenage, and the victory sees them climb up to 15th in the League 2 table.
Like Stevenage, Exeter were hoping to move into the playoffs, but a second half goal from Swansea loanee Rory Donnelly gave Tranmere all three points at St. James Park. The Grecians have lost their last three home games now, and went behind thanks to Jennison Myrie Williams. They did level however with a free kick courtesy of striker Alex Nicholls, but Donnelly’s third goal in four games early in the second half was enough to move Tranmere from 21st to 17th and record their fourth away win of the season. As for Exeter, they stay three points behind Bury who occupy the final play-off place.
Another side at the wrong end of the league, Hartlepool managed a vital three points as they welcomed 10th placed Plymouth Argyle to Victoria Park. Striker Jonathan Franks netted his first of two after just eight minutes, before Ryan Brunt levelled for the visitors. Franks finished his second early in the second half before fellow striker Scott Fenwick gave the Pool a two goal advantage. Olly Lee found a consolation goal in the final minute but it was a moment to savour for Ronnie Moore, seeing his side win for just the fifth time this season. As for the Pilgrims, they haven’t won in their previous seven, disappointing for the Cornish side who have real ambitions for promotion this season.
11th placed Morecambe hosted 13th placed A.F.C Wimbledon at the Globe Arena, and the points were shared. For Morecambe, you can look at this stat one of two ways; They are unbeaten in their previous five, or; They have failed to win in their previous five. Five straight draws leaves the Shrimps in mid table, but it was the Dons that took the lead in this game through defender Jake Reeves. It was cancelled out just before the break through Padraig Amond who netted his 7th goal this season. Both sides remain where they were in the league.
Northampton Town have hit a great bit of form of late, and a thumping 5-1 victory away to Accrington Stanley is sure to put the icing on the cake. This was the Cobblers fourth straight victory, whilst for Stanley it was their fourth straight defeat. Cobblers went 2-0 up after just 30 minutes, first Ricky Holmes then top scorer Marc Richards from the spot. The hosts pulled one back on the stroke of half time when a penalty was awarded, with Ryan Cresswell being given his marching orders as a result. Captain Luke Joyce saw his penalty saved by Matt Duke, but midfielder Piero Mingoia pounced on the rebound to reduce the deficit. The 10 men of Northampton came out even more determined in the second half, and two goals from Lawson D’Ath either side of Richards second of the afternoon gave the away side an impressive victory. Accrington slip to 16th, whilst Northampton move up to 12, with Richards now leading the scoring tally on 15 for the campaign.
Dagenham and Redbridge had moved out of the relegation zone on goal difference following their 1-1 draw away to Cambridge on Tuesday, and they moved further afield following a 3-1 victory over Cheltenham Town. All the goals came in the second half; first, journeyman striker Jamie Cureton saw his 55th minute penalty saved, but he followed up the rebound, taking his tally to eight, then seven minutes later Liverpool loanee Jack Dunn successfully converted his penalty to level. But a goal from winger Ashley Hemmings and a last minute strike from Alex Jakubiak have given Daggers a vital three points. They move up to 19th following just their second win in nine games, whilst the Robins slip to 21st.
The final game came at Brunton Park where two sides at the wrong end of the table met. Mansfield took the lead on the stroke of half time thanks to a Vadaine Oliver header, but the hosts got all three points courtesy of second half goals by Charlie Wyke and Kyle Dempsey. Mansfield, who now haven’t won in their last six, slip into the relegation zone, seven points above Hartlepool, but level on points with York. Carlisle climb out of the relegation zone and up the league to 20th, but sit on 30 points with five sides, just two points above the drop.
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