League Two Review: 23 January

Another action packed weekend of football in League Two has been and gone, and here at The Sports Lowdown, we bring you your weekly review of all the action.

Northampton Town 3-1 Morecambe 

Northampton moved to the top of League Two after recording their fifth successive victory against Morecambe. Chris Wilder’s side took the lead after half an hour when Shrewsbury loanee James Collins netted on his home debut from a Joel Byrom free kick, and the hosts were two up before the break after John-Joe O’Toole turned in Ricky Holmes’ effort. The Cobblers added a third early in the second half after defender Rod McDonald headed in, before Alex Kenyon hit the bar for the visitors. The Shrimps did pull one back through Paul Mullin but their four game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end.

Bristol Rovers 1-1 Plymouth Argyle 

Plymouth dropped to 2nd despite a late equaliser at the Memorial Stadium against Bristol Rovers. After a goalless first half in which Greg Wylde shot over from fifteen yards for the visitors and Tom Lockyer hit the post for the hosts, Billy Bodin headed in Jermaine Easter’s cross with ten minutes remaining to put the Gas into the lead. But two minutes from time, Josh Simpson struck home his first Argyle goal with an effort from the edge of the box to earn the Pilgrims a point.

Portsmouth 0-1 Oxford United 

There was a bumper crowd at Fratton Park on Saturday and the majority left disappointed after debutant striker Jordan Bowery netted the winner for Michael Appleton’s Oxford. After a goalless first half, the U’s were awarded a penalty when Danny Hylton was fouled by debutant Pompey keeper Ryan Fulton, but Fulton made amends, saving Liam Sercombe’s penalty and the rebound. But after U’s skipper Jake Wright played a perfectly weighted ball through to substitute Bowery, the forward struck past Fulton for the games only goal. Adam McGurk came close for a Pompey equaliser but the travelling 2,000 Oxford fans, and former Portsmouth manager Appleton, left with all three points.

Exeter City 2-1 Accrington Stanley 

Exeter bounced back from their FA Cup exit at Liverpool with victory over promotion chasing Accrington. Having netted twice in Stanley’s midweek 3-1 victory over Hartlepool, Shay McCartan was on hand to put the visitors into an early lead, but top scorer Tom Nichols equalised two minutes later. With just over ten minutes remaining, substitute Christian Ribiero bundled home what proved to be the winner as the Grecians recorded a rare home win.

Notts County 0-2 AFC Wimbledon

AFC Wimbledon moved into the playoffs with a victory at Meadow Lane against Notts County. Blair Adams hit the post for the hosts early on, before Tom Elliott’s long range effort gave the Dons an early lead. In the second half, Andy Barcham hit the bar before the midfielder netted a second shortly after to give Neal Ardley’s side all three points.

Wycombe Wanderers 0-2 Leyton Orient 

Kevin Nolan’s first game as Leyton Orient manager ended in success as the O’s won at Wycombe. After a goalless first half, top scorer Jay Simpson netted his 21st goal of the campaign from eight yards to give the O’s the lead, before Ollie Palmer’s header sailed wide as the visitors looked for a second. That second goal did come late on as Calaum Jahraldo-Martin slotted past Alex Lynch to condemn the Chairboys to their third successive league defeat.

Carlisle United 1-1 York City 

Carlisle returned to Brunton Park after three home games away from their stadium following Storm Desmond and the floods that came with it, but they only managed a point as League Two bottom club York netted a late equaliser. Jason Kennedy’s low drive put the Cumbrians into the lead, before Jabo Ibehre missed a sitter from six yards as his header went well off target. And it proved costly as with time running out, Bradley Fewster’s 25 yard effort struck the woodwork before Luke Summerfield struck home the rebound to earn the Minstermen a point.

Mansfield Town 0-2 Luton Town 

Luton recorded just their second win in ten as they won at Mansfield. Pelly Ruddock’s cross was turned in by Paddy McCourt after seven minutes, before Reggie Lambe and Chris Clements spurned opportunities for a Stags equaliser. McCourt then turned provider for Ruddock early in the second half as the Hatters killed off the game to take all three points, and give Nathan Jones his first win as manager.

Cambridge United 1-1 Hartlepool United 

Hartlepool were denied all three points at the Abbey Stadium as Cambridge salvaged a late equaliser. Hartlepool headed into the game with just one win from their last six games, but they took the lead when Jake Gray turned in Michael Woods pass, before U’s keeper Will Norris saved from Ellis Harrison. And it proved costly as Ben Williamson netted a last minute equaliser to earn the hosts a point.

Yeovil Town 2-1 Crawley Town 

Yeovil Town moved out of the bottom two as they recorded a rare victory over Crawley Town. Ryan Bird put the Glovers into the lead before West Brom loanee Tahvan Campbell doubled the hosts lead with his first senior goal, a spectacular drive from 25 yards. Lee Barnard took advantage of some poor defending to reduce the deficit, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Red Devils from their fifth successive away defeat.

Stevenage 0-0 Barnet 

Stevenage and Barnet played out a goalless draw as the two strugglers met at the Lamex Stadium. Stevenage, who are now without a win in seven, came close through Aaron O’Connor, before Michael Tonge saw his close range header saved by Bees keeper Jamie Stephens. Barnet, who are one place above the Boro, are now without an away victory in six.

Newport County 2-2 Dagenham and Redbridge

Newport came from two goals down to earn a point at home to strugglers Dagenham. Christian Doidge volleyed the Daggers into an early lead, before Joe Worrall doubled the visitors advantage, heading in Ashley Hemmings corner. But debutant John-Christophe Ayina saw his deflected shot reduce the deficit before fellow debutant Conor Wilkinson tapped home a late equaliser after Alex Rodman’s initial effort was only parried by Mark Cousins. Despite three away games unbeaten, the Daggers have dropped back into the bottom two.