League Two Review: 2 January

A new year and a new start for some of the sides in League Two. Wins for the top four kept them above the chasing pack, whilst wins for the bottom two have altered how the lower end of the table looks. Here is your League Two Review:

 

Carlisle United 0-2 Plymouth Argyle 

With Brunton Park still submerged in water following the recent devastating floods, this game was played at Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park. But it was the league leaders and visitors Plymouth that took the lead midway through the first half when in-form Ryan Brunt saw his deflected shot sail past Cumbrians keeper Mark Gillespie. But Carlisle were unable to find an equaliser, and Derek Adams’s side found a second late on when Gregg Wylde’s low shot sailed in. The Pilgrims have now won four games in succession and are unbeaten in six on the road, extending their lead at the top of the league to three points, whilst Carlisle’s five game unbeaten run comes to an end.

Northampton Town 3-0 Barnet 

Northampton kept the pressure on Plymouth with a comfortable win at home against Barnet. Sam Hoskins turned in a Lawson D’Ath cross to send the Cobblers into the lead, before keeper Adam Smith saved from Bees forward John Akinde. But early in the second half, Ricky Holmes latched on to a Marc Richards pass to double the lead, before Holmes returned the favour for the in-form striker to add another to his already impressive haul. The Cobblers have suffered just one defeat from their last eight games, winning the other seven, whilst the Bees are without an away win in six.

 

Notts County 2-4 Oxford United 

A six goal thriller took place at Meadow Lane as Oxford beat manager-less Notts County. But it wasn’t until first half injury time that the U’s took the lead; Magpies keeper Roy Carroll was adjudged to have fouled Liam Sercombe, and the midfielder got up and successfully converted his spot kick. But cue a Magpies comeback; first Jon Stead headed the hosts level, before a clever strike from Curtis Thompson gave Notts the lead. Alex MacDonald restored parity with ten minutes remaining, before a 90th minute strike from winger Callum O’Dowda and 25 yard effort from Kemar Roofe sealed the win for Michael Appleton’s side. The U’s are now unbeaten in three, whilst the Magpies have failed to win in four.

 

Portsmouth 3-0 Crawley Town 

It wasn’t too long ago that Portsmouth were playing in the Premier League, whilst their opponents Crawley were in the depths of non-league. Today however, the sides met at Fratton Park on an equal playing field, and it was the hosts that dominated the game. A Matt Clarke header from a Ben Davies corner gave Pompey an early lead, before Mark McNulty finished an Enda Stevens cross to double the hosts advantage. Gary Roberts added a third late on to keep Pompey in 4th, extending their unbeaten run at Fratton Park to eight games, whilst the Red Devils have lost their last four away games.

 

Bristol Rovers 2-0 Luton Town 

A Rory Gaffney brace for the second successive game earned Bristol Rovers all three points against manager-less Luton. After a goalless first half, Gaffney fired home the opener, before pouncing on a rebound to net his second shortly after. The win moves the Gas up to 5th following a seven game unbeaten run, whilst Luton have suffered four defeats from their last six games.

Wycombe Wanderers 0-2 Morecambe 

Wycombe suffered a disappointing home defeat against Morecambe. The Chairboys, who had previously won three games on the bounce, went behind when Shaun Miller scrambled the ball home. The second goal came after Chairboys keeper Matt Ingram was dismissed for bringing down Aaron Wildig, before Jamie Devitt converted the resulting spot kick. The win was just the Shrimps second in six, and their first away win in six.

 

Mansfield Town 2-3 Accrington Stanley 

A five goal thriller at Field Mill saw Accrington move back into the playoffs. Piero Mingoia’s fourth minute goal gave Stanley the lead, but Matt Green leveled for the Stags. Billy Kee restored the visitors lead midway through the second half, before Terry Gornell fired in a third. Chris Clements 25 yard free kick reduced the deficit and made a nervy final five minutes, but Stanley held on to record their first win in three.

 

Stevenage 2-2 Leyton Orient 

Leyton Orient rescued a late point as they drew at Stevenage. In-form striker Jay Simpson gave the O’s the lead midway through the second half; after Fraser Franks handled his shot, Simpson successfully converted the resulting spot kick, but Armand Gnanduillet leveled from a Tom Pett cross, before netting his and Boro’s second four minutes later. But Simpson’s strike three minutes into stoppage time earned the O’s a valuable point, but they’ve failed to win on the road in five, whilst Stevenage are without a win in four.

 

Cambridge United 1-4 AFC Wimbledon 

AFC Wimbledon completed a remarkable win with four goals at in-form Cambridge. Paul Robinson headed the Dons into a tenth minute lead, but a Luke Berry header leveled the game soon after. Lyle Taylor’s low strike regained the visitors advantage before defender Jon Meades added a third. Adebayo Azeez rounded keeper Sam Beasant to add a fourth, ending the U’s six game unbeaten run.

Exeter City 1-2 Dagenham and Redbridge 

Strugglers Dagenham made it back to back wins after victory at Exeter, giving new manager John Still a win in his first game in charge since returning to the club for a third spell. Josh Labadie headed in an Ashley Hemmings corner for the opener, but Tom Nichols leveled for the Grecians with a header before the break. Ashley Chambers then headed the Daggers back into the lead and they held on to record the win, whilst Exeter have suffered four successive defeats and are without a win at St James Park in six.

 

Newport County vs Hartlepool United (postponed due to waterlogged pitch) 

 

Yeovil Town 1-0 York City 

Yeovil Town recorded their first win in seventeen games to lift them off the bottom of League Two. The Glovers, who are still in search of a new manager, scored the games only goal after Francois Zoko was fouled by Luke Summerfield, and Scott Dolan netted from the spot. Josh Sheehan was denied by Minstermen keeper Scott Flinders whilst Zoko fired over as Yeovil dominated against York, who after one win from ten, drop to bottom.