11 games in League Two took place on Saturday, with one fixture coming at Morecambe on Sunday. Shrewsbury remain league leaders, with Burton Albion level on points, whilst Wycombe slip further afield following another home defeat. There were also some vital victories for sides near the bottom in the hopes to avoid relegation.
League Two Review: 14th February 2015
Shrewsbury Town vs A.F.C Wimbledon
Shrewsbury began the day on top, knowing all three points would keep them there and that’s exactly what they achieved. Their unbeaten home record is still in tact following a 2-0 win over mid-table A.F.C Wimbledon. Goals from experienced winger Liam Lawrence and striker Scott Vernon either side of the break extends this impressive record at New Meadow. As for the Dons, they slip to 13th as a result of their first defeat in four games.
Burton Albion vs Oxford United
Burton Albion stay level on points with Shrewsbury as they claimed a 2-0 victory against Oxford United at the Pirelli Stadium. A goal from Adam McGurk after just 13 minutes gave the Brewers the lead, before Oxford had a couple of opportunities that they couldn’t take. Lucas Akins confirmed all three points in the final minute as the U’s suffered their second successive defeat on the road, and slip to 18th as a result, four points above the drop.
Wycombe Wanderers vs Newport County
Wycombe are still aiming for automatic promotion but lost their second successive home game in a week as manager-less Newport County recorded their first victory in six. Yan Klukowski opened the scoring for the Exiles after 20 minutes to give the visitors the advantage at the break. Fred Onyedinma leveled for the Chairboys in the second half before Klukowski scored his and Newport’s second ten minutes before the end. Wycombe are now five points behind the front two, and just one point ahead of the play-off pack, whilst Newport stay sixth and remain in the playoffs.
Luton Town vs Carlisle
Luton regain top spot in the playoffs following a tough 1-0 home win over relegation threatened Carlisle. Mark Cullen netted his 11th of the season just before the break, before Luke Wilkinson was sent off for the hosts midway through the second half. The Hatters held on, whilst Carlisle slip to 19th, three points above the drop.
Southend United vs Accrington Stanley
Southend slip to fifth following an uncharacteristic home defeat to Accrington Stanley who won their second game in a week following five straight defeats. The visitors went 2-0 up, with Piero Mingoia opening the scoring early in the second half, before striker Terry Gornell scored his of the week. Barry Corr pulled one back instantly but it wasn’t enough for the Shrimpers who lost for the first time in ten. Stanley move up to 14th.
Plymouth Argyle vs Cambridge United
Plymouth won back to back games to maintain their play-off place following a 2-0 victory over Cambridge United at Home Park. Two goals in the last ten minutes from Ryan Brunt and Lewis Alessandra gave the Pilgrims three points and stay seventh. Cambridge slip to 15th and haven’t won in the league since mid-January as a result.
Cheltenham Town vs Bury
Bury stay just outside the playoffs despite picking up all three points against manager-less Cheltenham Town. First half goals from Danny Mayor and Danny Rose gave the away side the advantage before Denny Johnstone pulled one back. That’s how it finished, Bury level on points with Plymouth and only behind on goal difference, whilst Cheltenham slip into the relegation zone as a result of just one win in 16, as they begin their search for their third manager of the season.
Hartlepool United vs Stevenage Borough
Hartlepool went in to this game aware they had won their previous three home games, whilst Stevenage haven’t won in their last four games. Dave Martin gave the Boro the lead on his debut five minutes before the break, but striker Scott Fenwick levelled for the hosts five minutes into the second half. Ben Kennedy regained the visitors lead, then confirmed all three points with his second 13 minutes later. A welcome three points for Boro who move to ninth, whilst the Pools stay bottom, now seven points from safety.
Portsmouth vs Exeter City
Exeter haven’t won in four following a defeat on the road to a Pompey side who are now unbeaten in three. Jed Wallace’s 10th goal of the season in stoppage time at the end of the game gave Portsmouth all three points, and sees them slowly moving away from the drop. The Grecians slip to 10th, now six points off the playoffs.
Mansfield Town vs Northampton Town
Northampton lost their first game on Tuesday night following a run of five straight victories, and they very nearly went home with nothing at Mansfield but for a 90th minute penalty through top scorer Marc Richards. John-Joe O’Toole was sent off 10 minutes before half time for a second bookable offense. Vadaine Oliver took advantage of the extra man and gave the hosts the lead early in the second half with his seventh of the season before Richards netted his 17th to rescue a point for the Cobblers. Mansfield sit two points above the drop, whilst Northampton move up to 11th.
York City vs Tranmere Rovers
York City won just their second home game of the season to move out of the relegation zone. On Tuesday, they managed a credible draw on the road to Luton, but Saturday a vital three points against relegation rivals Tranmere Rovers was crucial for the Minstermen. Two goals from Wes Fletcher was enough to life York to 20th, whilst Tranmere slip to 22nd just one point above Cheltenham.
Morecambe vs Dagenham and Redbridge
One game took place on Sunday with 12th placed Morecambe hosting 18th placed Dagenham and Redbridge. Dagenham have hit a bit of form of late, vital for a side now propelling away from the drop, and come away from the Shrimps with an impressive 3-2 victory. Winger Luke Howell gave Daggers the lead inside the opening minute, before Andrew Fleming leveled. But two goals withing four minutes early in the second half through Ayo Obileye and top scorer Jamie Cureton gave the visitors a decent lead, before Jack Redshaw pulled one back in the final minute. Daggers move up to 17th, seven points clear of the drop, whilst Morecambe stay 12th.
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