At this stage of the season, sides begin to push for promotion and strive to avoid relegation. Some sides however filter away from a promotion opportunity, with others being dragged into a relegation dog fight. That’s exactly what has happened this weekend. Here is your League Two Review for March 28.
League Two Review for March 28
Friday 27th March
Accrington Stanley 0-2 Newport County
Newport moved up to 6th following a victory on the road at Accrington. Aaron O’Connor gave the Exiles the lead midway through the second half with his ninth goal of the season, before Shaun Jeffers turned in a Yakubu cross in injury time to seal the win. Newport are now unbeaten in four games, whilst Stanley, who drop to 17th, are without a win in seven games.
Saturday 28th March
Portsmouth 0-2 Shrewsbury Town
With league leaders Burton Albion not in action until Monday night, Shrewsbury had the opportunity to close the gap to two points. The Shrews did just that’s thanks to a goal in each half from Bobby Grant. This was the Shrews second consecutive 2-0 win, and their third win in succession, whilst Pompey’s six game unbeaten run at Fratton Park has come to an end.
Dagenham and Redbridge 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe keep the pressure on the top two and move further afield of the play-off chasers with a win at Dagenham. Defender Aaron Pierre got the games only goal midway through the second half to keep the Chairboys level on points with Shrewsbury. Dagenham had previously won their last two games, whilst Wycombe extend their unbeaten away run to 13 games as a result.
Bury vs Southend United (Abandoned)
A cracker of a game was due to take place at Gigg Lane where the top two sides in the playoffs met. Unfortunately, the game was called off after just 18 minutes due to a waterlogged pitch. Despite the outcome, Bury stay 4th, and Southend stay 5th.
Cheltenham Town 0-3 Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth moved back into the playoffs following a comprehensive victory on the road at Cheltenham. Pilgrims top scorer Reuben Reid netted twice, one in each half, taking his tally to 17 for the season, before Charlton Athletic loanee Zak Ansah scored late on. This was Plymouth’s first win in four attempts, whilst Cheltenham drop to the bottom of the table as a result of a six game winless run.
Northampton Town 2-1 Luton Town
Northampton bounced back from two successive defeats as they look to push their play-off ambitions back on track following a win against play-off rivals Luton. It was Luton that took the lead as Alex Lawless struck home early in the second half, but Ricky Holmes leveled from the spot 15 minutes later. James Gray netted the winner five minutes from time to move Cobblers to within four points of a play-off place. As for Luton, they have suffered six successive defeats, form that has now seen them drop out of the playoffs for the first time since late September.
Exeter City 1-1 Morcambe
Two sides with an outside chance of reaching the playoffs met at St. James Park where Morcambe visited Exeter. Aaron McGowan gave the visitors the lead after 17 minutes, but the Grecians leveled with ten minutes remaining thanks to Alex Nicholls. Top scorer Tom Nichols was sent off late on for Exeter for violent conduct, but the result extends the Grecians unbeaten run to six games, but slip one place to 11th. As for Morcambe, their second successive 1-1 draw sees them move up one place to 13th, and are now unbeaten in five games on the road.
Tranmere Rovers 1-1 A.F.C Wimbledon
Tranmere rescued a late point at home to Wimbledon, but it wasn’t enough to stop them from dropping back into the relegation zone. Adebayo Akinfenwa gave the visitors the lead in the first half with his 13th goal of the season, but a 20 yard strike from George Green four minutes into stoppage time earned the Rovers a point. The Dons are now without a win on the road in nine attempts, whilst Tranmere have dropped into the bottom two due to other results.
Oxford United 2-1 Carlisle United
Oxford United had to come from behind to claim their first win in four against Carlisle. The Cumbrians took the lead after just nine minutes, as Paul Corry’s 30 yard freekick alluded everyone and crept in, but Patrick Hoban then scored his first U’s goal five minutes before the break to level the game. On loan Peterborough forward Kyle Vassell then won the game on his debut with a clean 18 yard strike with just ten minutes remaining. The result moves Oxford up to 16th, eight points clear of the drop, whilst Carlisle slip to 21st as a result of their first defeat in four, and are now only three points from safety.
Mansfield Town 1-4 York City
York City left Field Mill with a vital three points following a comprehensive victory against fellow strugglers Mansfield. Keith Lowe gave the visitors a ninth minute lead before on loan Tottenham forward Shaquile Coulthirst made it two inside 20 minutes. In recent weeks, the Minstermen had given away goals once they’ve taken the lead, but when Jake Hyde scored his ninth of the season early in the second half, the result looked beyond doubt. Matt Rhead pulled one back for the Stags with just under 15 minutes left, but Coulthirst scored his second of the afternoon late on to give York their first win in five. York move up one place to 20th, three points from safety, whilst Mansfield drop one place to 18th.
Hartlepool United 2-1 Cambridge United
Hartlepool have moved out of the drop zone for the first time since October following a victory against struggling Cambridge United. Brad Walker gave the Pools a first half lead, before Matt Harold leveled for the U’s. Scott Harrison scored the winner midway through the second half to extend the Pools run of successive victories to four games – a quite incredible turnaround for Ronnie Moore’s side who were ten points adrift not too long to. Cambridge slip to 19th and are without a win in six games, as they find themselves just six points from safety.
