League Two Review: 28 November

What a weekend of action in League Two. After 43 goals, including two sets of hattricks, five penalties, including two misses in one game, and a few dismissals, it’s Oxford United that have replaced Plymouth at the top of the table, whilst there were further disappointment for the league’s bottom two clubs. Here is your League Two Review:

Hartlepool United 0-1 Oxford United 

Oxford have moved to the top of League Two after a hard fought victory at Hartlepool. Despite the U’s dominating large parts of the first half, it was Hartlepool who nearly took the lead after Jake Gray saw his long range effort strike the bar, before Kemar Roofe also hit the bar for the visitors. The winner came in style twenty minutes from time after Alex MacDonald played a perfectly weighted ball to Danny Hylton who volleyed home. The result see’s the U’s move to the top of the table for the first time this season, extending their unbeaten run to five games, whilst Hartlepool have now suffered back to back defeats.

 

Dagenham and Redbridge 1-1 Plymouth Argyle 

Plymouth have dropped to 2nd in League Two despite a late equaliser at Victoria Road against strugglers Dagenham. The Daggers came close early doors after Jodi Jones saw his effort sail just over, before Josh Labadie opened the scoring early in the second half. But the Pilgrims rescued a point in style when deep in stoppage time, Ryan Brunt struck home from over 20 yards. Despite the point, Plymouth haven’t won in three, whilst the Daggers are now unbeaten in two.

 

Northampton Town 2-0 Yeovil Town

In a week where Northampton have been taken over by former Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas, the team continued their impressive form on the field with a win over bottom club Yeovil. Lawson D’Ath opened the scoring before the break, rounding the Glovers keeper before slotting home, before Marc Richards headed in Nicky Adams cross to double the Cobblers lead. Northampton are now unbeaten in eight, whilst Yeovil, who hit the bar through Harry Cornick, have failed to win in twelve.

 

Wycombe Wanderers 2-2 Portsmouth 

Portsmouth came from two goals down to earn a point at Adams Park against Wycombe. The Chairboys raced into a two goal lead after goals from Michael Harriman, who scored from 40 yards after a poor clearance from Pompey keeper Brian Murphy, and Garry Thompson, but Caolan Lavery reduced the deficit before the break. Portsmouth leveled early in the second half when Adam Webster headed in a Ben Davies corner. Wycombe are now unbeaten in five but are without a win in four at Adams Park, whilst Portsmouth are unbeaten in four.

York City 1-5 Accrington Stanley 

In-form Accrington upstaged an out of form York side at Bootham Crescent. Matty Pearson saw his 25 yard effort deflect in, before Billy Kee tapped in Stanley’s second. Josh Windass then converted a penalty early in the second half before Kee tapped home his second and Stanley’s fourth. Bradley Fewster reduced the deficit before Shay McCartan’s 20 yard effort sealed the win for Stanley. Accrington are now unbeaten in five and have won three away games in succession, whilst York have lost six games and have failed to win in fourteen.

 

Leyton Orient 1-1 AFC Wimbledon 

Leyton Orient and Wimbledon shared the spoils at Brisbane Road. Jay Simpson netted after just ten minutes after a through ball from John Marquis, before Marquis was dismissed in the second half following a second yellow card. Adebayo Akinfenwa rescued a point for the Dons with ten minutes remaining with a header, leaving Neal Ardley’s side without a win in four, whilst the O’s have won once in five.

 

Carlisle United 3-1 Crawley Town

The league’s top scoring side Carlisle netted another three as they overcome Crawley at Brunton Park. Charlie Wyke netted twice inside the opening half an hour, before Rhys Murphy headed Lewis Young’s cross to reduce the deficit. But Jabo Ibehre regained the Cumbrians two goal advantage early in the second half to extend their unbeaten home record to four games.

 

Barnet 1-3 Mansfield Town 

Mansfield recorded a rare away win as they won at the Hive against Barnet. Reggie Lambe opened the scoring for the Stags, before Barnet player Josh Clarke was dismissed for a second yellow before the break. Matt Green doubled Adam Murray’s side’s advantage before John Akinde pulled one back for the Bees. Mansfield were then reduced to ten men with five minutes remaining after Chris Clements picked up his second yellow, before an own goal from Michael Nelson saw Mansfield pick up all three points. Barnet haven’t won in four and suffered their first home defeat in four, whilst the win for Mansfield was their second in six.

 

Exeter City 1-1 Bristol Rovers 

Two late goals at St James Park after Exeter and Bristol Rovers shared the spoils. Despite the Gas dominating the first half, it wasn’t until the 83rd minute that Stuart Sinclair’s 25 yard effort sailed in. But Jamie Reid’s volley in stoppage time rescued a point for the Grecians. Exeter are unbeaten in four, whilst Rovers haven’t won in three.

Newport County 3-0 Luton Town 

A debut hattrick from on loan Swansea forward Oliver McBurnie saw Newport pick up their first home win of the season. His first was a tidy finish from a low cross, before he tucked home the rebound from Alex Rodman’s initial effort. McBurnie completed his hattrick late on after a mistake from Hatters keeper Mark Tyler. Newport are now unbeaten in seven, whilst Luton haven’t won in five.

 

Cambridge United 3-1 Notts County 

Shaun Derry picked up all three points as Cambridge best his former employers Notts County. Adam Campbell gave the Magpies a half time lead but Barry Corr leveled for the U’s after he converted a penalty after Adam Smith had fouled Ben Williamson. Williamson then scored, in bizarre fashion, after Roy Carroll’s clearance hit the midfielder, before Luke Berry sealed the win late on. It was the U’s first home win in three, whilst Notts winless away run extends to eight games.

 

Stevenage 4-3 Morecambe

We’ve save the best til last; a seven goal thriller at the Lamex Stadium, including two penalty misses, as Stevenage beat Morecambe. The Boro took an early lead through Dean Wells, but Kevin Ellison soon leveled for the Shrimps. Ben Kennedy had the opportunity to regain the lead but his penalty was saved by Morecambe keeper Barry Roche, before Chris Whelpdale did regain the Boro’s advantage. Whelpdale then saw his penalty saved, but scored a further two, completing his hattrick, to give the Boro a three goal advantage. Paul Mullin successfully converted his spot kick to reduce the deficit, before Ellison added his second and the Shrimps third late on. Stevenage held on to extend their unbeaten run to four, whilst Morecambe haven’t won in five.