League Two Review: 20 February

Once again, League Two doesn’t seize to amaze! Some cracking results over the weekend, including a mixed bag for the top three, another swing amongst the play-off competing sides, whilst the strugglers keep on struggling. Here is your League Two Review:

Northampton Town 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers 

Northampton Town have extended their advantage at the top of League Two to ten points after a narrow victory at home against Wycombe. Danny Rose netted his first goal for the Cobblers after his January move from Oxford midway through the second half, before Chairboys substitute Ryan Sellers missed a late opportunity for the visitors. Northampton held on to record their ninth successive victory; a club record which has surpassed their 1960/61 division 4 winning season. As for Wycombe, they drop out of the playoffs.

 

Crawley Town 1-1 Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth conceded a late equaliser as they drew at Crawley. Despite dominating the first half, the Pilgrims headed into the break level, despite Gregg Wylde’s effort being well saved by Paul Jones. But the visitors found the opener in the second half, Ryan Brunt heading in Wylde’s cross, but substitute Shamir Fenelon poked in a later leveller to earn the Red Devils a point.

 

Oxford Unied 1-2 Accrington Stanley 

It’s been a disappointing week for Oxford United. Defeat at home to league leaders Northampton on Tuesday night was followed by another home defeat on Saturday, this time against fellow promotion hopefuls Accrington. But it was Michael Appleton’s side that took the lead in the first half; Chris Maguire saw his cross-cum-shot turned in deftly by forward Kemar Roofe for his twentieth goal of the season. But a fine strike from Billy Kee after the interval leveled proceedings, before Stanley were reduced to ten men following defender Tom Davies’s second yellow. Despite being a man down, Scott Brown put the visitors ahead with a late drive. Stanley are now just three points behind the U’s and have two games in hand on them.

Mansfield Town 3-2 Dagenham and Redbridge 

Mansfield took the spoils in a five goal thriller at Field Mill. Daggers man Oliver Hawkins gave the visitors the lead before the break, but two second half goals from Matty Blair and Adi Yussuff put the Stags in front. Stags defender Krystian Pearce was then dismissed after conceding a penalty, but Jamie Cureton missed the opportunity to level from twelve yards after firing over. It proved costly as Matt Green gave the hosts a two goal advantage shortly after, before Cureton partially made amends from his penalty miss by reducing the deficit. Adam Murray’s side held on and stay in the playoffs, whilst John Still’s side show no signs of turning their poor form around and remain bottom.

 

Bristol Rovers 2-1 Morecambe 

Bristol Rovers moved back into the playoffs with victory at home against Morecambe. But the Gas, who are under new ownership under Jordanian businessmen, fell behind after Tom Parkes handled in the box, and Jamie Devitt netted from the penalty. But second half goals; first a Rory Gaffney volley then a Billy Bodin header, have the Gas all three points, whilst Morecambe are without a win in seven.

 

Yeovil Town 1-1 Portsmouth 

Yeovil were denied a rare home win as Portsmouth scored a late equaliser at Huish Park. Francois Zoko put the Glovers ahead with fifteen minutes remaining, before Burgess was dismissed for a second yellow within two minutes of each other. Despite the man disadvantage, Pompey rescued a point through Gary Roberts, leaving them in the playoffs, whilst Yeovil remain in the bottom two.

 

Notts County 0-1 Leyton Orient 

Notts County suffered their third successive defeat as they lost at home against Leyton Orient. The O’s midfielder Mathieu Baudry saw an early effort cleared off the line, but Shaun Brisley hooked the visitors into the lead with time running out. The O’s move closer to the playoffs as a result, but Notts remain in 15th.

Barnet 1-2 AFC Wimbledon 

AFC Wimbledon made it six wins from seven as they won at the Hive against Barnet. Lyle Taylor netted his third goal in two games early in the second half to put the Dons ahead, before substitute Adebayo Azeez met George Francombe’s cross to double Neal Ardley’s side’s advantage. Matthew Stevens pulled one back for the Bees but it wasn’t enough. The Dons close in on the playoffs, whilst Barnet remain in 18th.

 

Cambridge United 3-1 York City 

Despite back to back home wins, York were unable to contain Cambridge as the U’s recorded their third win in four. Jimmy Spencer and Josh Coulson put the hosts two goals up, before Josh Berrett found the top corner for the Minstermen before the break. But when Ben Williamson capitalised on goalkeeper Scott Flinders mistake, he put the game beyond doubt. York remain just outside the bottom two, whilst Cambridge go 11th.

 

Carlisle United 1-0 Stevenage 

Carlisle won at home against Stevenage thanks to a second half strike from Jabo Ibehre. But the Boro could have taken the lead; Byron Harrison saw his effort saved by Mark Gillespie before Dean Parrett hit the bar, but Ibehre headed in his 15th goal of the season from Alex McQueen’s cross to give Keith Curle’s side all three points.

 

Exeter City 1-1 Newport County 

Newport rescued a late point at St James Park against an inconsistent Exeter side. But the Exiles hit the post twice through Conor Wilkinson, before Jordan Tillson met a Lee Holmes free kick to put the Grecians ahead. But Scott Boden’s header, his twelfth goal of the season, rescued a point for Newport.

 

Luton Town 2-1 Hartlepool United

Luton won their first home game of 2016 as they beat struggling Hartlepool. After Nicky Featherstone handled in the box, Cameron McGheehan put the Hatters ahead from the spot, but Adam Jackson met Jake Gray’s cross to level the score. Substitute striker Craig Mackail-Smith then scored what proved to be the winner with five minutes remaining to give the Hatters an important three points as they look to revive their promotion push.