Another epic day of football took place across League Two on Saturday, and for the second successive week, we have a new leader and some vital points for teams near the bottom.
Sky Bet League Two Review: 7th Feb 2015
Shrewsbury Town led the way before kick-off and they hosted a Southend side sitting comfortably in the playoffs. Salop have an exceptional home record and remain unbeaten, all thanks to a goal from deadline-day signing, Tyrone Barnett, in the 85th minute. The Shrimpers midfielder, Jack Payne, gave the away side an early lead in the second half with his seventh of the season, but Barnett retained the Shrews’ impressive record at New Meadow late on. The result sees Shrewsbury slip to third; Southend stay fifth.
Burton Albion are the new leaders in League Two following their convincing victory over a relegation-threatened Cheltenham Town. Stuart Beavon gave the visitors the lead after 21 minutes, doubled soon after, thanks to Adam McGurk. Five minutes into the second half, right back Phil Edwards gave the Brewers a resounding lead, before debutant Wes Burns pulled a consolation goal back. The Brewers move up to the top of the league table, one point above second placed Wycombe, whilst Cheltenham slip to 22nd, a mere two points above the drop.
Wycombe climb one place to second following their first win in four attempts on the road to Cambridge. Former QPR midfielder Hogan Ephraim scored the only goal, a direct free-kick early in the second half. That’s now eight wins on the road for the Chairboys this season, with six clean sheets in their last seven games, and their unbeaten run now stretches to twelve. Despite the defeat, the U’s stay 14th, but will be without on-loan Norwich midfielder Cameron McGeehan Tuesday night following his sending-off during this game.
Luton Town remain the leaders in the playoffs, picking up a point on the road against Oxford United. In a feisty first half, new loan signing Jayden Stockley gave the Hatters the lead just ten minutes on the verge of half time, before defender Johnny Mullins struck home his second goal in as many games. Oxford had a goal disallowed in the second half when the U’s top scorer, Danny Hylton, was deemed offside; the game finished level. New signings Alex MacDonald and Ryan Hall both started for their new clubs. Luton stay fourth but are now four points behind Shrewsbury, whilst Oxford stay 15th.
Newport County have lost manager Justin Edinburgh this weekend as he has accepted a contract with League One strugglers, Gillingham. Not only have the Exiles lost their manager, but they have lost their fourth game in succession following a 2-0 away defeat to A.F.C. Wimbledon. Top scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa netted in each half, chalking his tally at eleven for the campaign, but he should have had a hat-trick, seeing his second-half penalty saved. Newport stay in sixth position, but search now for that elusive victory as they slip further from the promotion hopefuls. As for the Dons, they move up one place to 12th.
The final play-off place is still occupied by Bury, and they cement that position following a 1-1 draw against fellow promotion hopefuls Exeter City at Gigg Lane. The Grecians took the lead early in the first half through right back Arron Davies, before the Shakers’ striker, Daniel Nardiello, levelled on the stroke of half time with his eighth goal this season. Exeter drop one place to ninth.
The team that have moved above Exeter in the league are rivals Plymouth Argyle, following a nervy 1-0 home victory against struggling Accrington Stanley. Stanley have only kept one clean sheet since the sides last met in September, with the result being Stanley’s fifth straight defeat, seeing them slip to 19th in the table. As for the Pilgrims, it was their first win in seven, courtesy of a first half goal by Lewis Alessandra, his seventh of the season. The Cornish side have moved up to eighth, two points clear of the playoffs.
Stevenage suffered a third straight defeat after relegation zone occupants, Mansfield Town, took all three points at Field Mill. They slip to 10th, four points behind Bury, following midfielder Reggie Lamb’s goal early in the second half, propelling the relegation-threatened Stags up to 20th.
Morecambe are yet to win in 2015 but, at the same time, remain unbeaten following five successive draws. They suffered their first defeat of the New Year against Northampton, who have now won five games in succession. Cobblers took the lead in the opening minute through Joel Byrom, before the Shrimps levelled just before the break. Top scorer Marc Richards then netted his 16th of the campaign, before seeing his penalty saved, which could have made the score line all the more comfortable. Morecambe slip to 12th whilst Northampton are now pushing for playoffs, sitting in 11th.
Portsmouth got their first win in ten games in the league and heaped more pressure on Hartlepool, who are now nine points from safety. There was never going to be a mass of goals in this fixture, and Matt Tubbs’ first Pompey goal was enough to earn the south coast side all three points at Fratton Park. Hartlepool remain bottom but Pompey move up two places to 16th.
Tranmere welcomed relegation rivals Carlisle to Prenton Park, knowing a win for either side could be crucial. Both sides won their previous outing in the league, both 2-1; prior to kick-off, it was the Rovers who were the favourites, being in a higher position and playing at home. The Cumbrians, however, were having none of it, and Charlie Wyke netted his second and third goals in two games to move up two places to 18th. The result means that both clubs are separated by just one point, and still precariously close to the drop. The added bonus for the Cumbrians, too, was in keeping a clean sheet, as they have the worst defence in the league.
Dagenham and Redbridge edge further away from relegation, albeit only by a few points, following a 2-0 victory on the road over relegation rivals, York. Journeyman striker Jamie Cureton netted his eighth and ninth goals of the campaign, but for the Minstermen, they have still only won once at home all season, and slip into the relegation zone following this defeat.
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