What a night of footballing action in League Two; once again we have a new leader, a change of pack in and amongst the playoffs, and once again some vital points for sides near the bottom end of the table.
Sky Bet League Two Review 10th February 2015
Burton Albion started the night sitting top of the table following their 3-1 victory on the road over Cheltenham on Saturday. On Tuesday night they played host to an A.F.C. Wimbledon side that were unbeaten in three. The Dons managed to extend that record to four following a frustrating goalless draw, and the Brewers now slip back to second. Despite the dropped points, especially at home, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbainks side remain unbeaten in 11 as they prepare to host Oxford United next time out.
Wycombe have slipped another place to third following their first home defeat since mid-November. Plymouth Argyle had previously been on a seven game winless run before Saturdays home win over Accrington, but Tuesday night they claimed all three points courtesy of first half goals from Lewis Alessandra and Peter Hartley. The Pilgrims move up one place to seventh as a result and occupy the final play-off place.
Shrewsbury Town are once again league leaders following a dramatic final few minutes at Brunton Park. Charlie Wyke scored his fourth in three games to give the Cumbrians a second half lead, and it looked like it had given Carlisle their fourth win in five games. But in the 93rd minute Mickey Demetriou popped up to claim the equaliser. Even more cruelly for the Cumbrians, top scorer James Collins then netted his 13th of the season in the 94th minute. An incredible end to the game, but disappointment for Carlisle and jubilation for the Shrews.
Luton Town have slipped to fifth in the playoffs following a disappointing home draw against relegation threatened York City. Little happened of note in the first half, but an electrifying second half came to life when withing four minutes, the Minstermen netted twice; first Josh Carson after 55 minutes followed shortly after by striker Emile Sinclair to give the visitors a two goal advantage. Then came the turning point. Just minutes after Sinclair’s goal, City’s Jake Hyde was sent off. As a result, the Hatters pressed and got their rewards shortly after, when Mark Cullen netted, followed five minutes later with his and Luton’s second. That took Cullen’s tally to 10, but Town slip one place. As for York, they stay 23rd but are one point from safety as a result.
Southend overtake Luton and occupy fourth spot as they remain unbeaten in their last four following a 2-0 victory over Cheltenham Town. With the best home defence in the league in Southend, and one of the worst goals ratio away from home in Cheltenham, the Robins knew it was going to be a tall order to come away with all three points. Two first half goals from Joe Piggott was enough to give the Shrimpers the result, delight for manager Phil Brown. The Robins stay 22nd, but are just one point from safety, and have won only once in 16 league games.
Newport County stay in sixth in the league as they picked up their first point in five games. Rory Donnelly gave visiting Tranmere the lead on the stroke of half time, and before long, the Rodney Parade faithful probably assumed they’d be on the end of their fifth straight defeat, but Mark Byrne netted late on to give the Exiles the point. Five points behind Luton, and only one from out of the playoffs, Newport need to pick up some wins, whilst Tranmere sit precariously close to the drop.
Two teams battling for the playoffs are Stevenage and Bury. Before kick-off, the Shakers occupied the final play-off place, but as a result of this goalless draw they slip to eighth, level on points with Plymouth above them. Stevenage now haven’t won in four, picking up just one point from a possible 12, now four points off the playoffs.
Exeter City had to come from two goals down at St. James Park to claim a draw against Cambridge United. Robbie Simpson had given the U’s a first half lead, then just five minutes into the second half, a Craig Woodman own goal doubled the visitors advantage, and looked set for the first win since mid-January. But Tom Nichols netted his 11th of the season before David Wheeler levelled in the 88th minute for the hosts. The Grecians are three points off the playoffs, whilst Cambridge remain in 14th.
Morecambe move up one place after recording their first win of 2015. In their last six, the Shrimps had lost just once but drawn five, and were up against a Mansfield who won their previous fixture. Morecambe were two goals up after 24 minutes, courtesy of Paul Mullin and top scorer Kevin Ellison, before moments later midfielder Simon Heslop pulled one back for the Stags. It wasn’t enough for Mansfield, who slip one place and are just one point off the drop.
Northampton Town have had a tremendous start to 2015 with five successive victories, and were up against bottom club Hartlepool. Despite the odds stacked against the Pools, they managed the victory, their third home victory in succession, courtesy of a second half strike from striker Marvin Morgan. Cobblers slip to 13th, whilst Hartlepool close the gap to six points from safety now.
Accrington Stanley, like Northampton, ended their run of successive results in their games at home to Oxford. Stanley had previously lost their last five games, whilst the U’s were unbeaten in four. In stoppage time at the end of the game, striker Terry Gornell, in his third spell at the club, netted the goal, albeit in controversial circumstances, to confirm Accrington all three points. They move up four places to 15th, whilst Oxford drop to 17th, only five points from safety.
The final game came at Victoria Road between two sides involved in the relegation but had both won their last encounters. Dagenham and Redbridge couldn’t expand their winning run of two games, whilst for Pompey boss Andy Awford, an away point is vital when pushing for safety.
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