League Two Review: 19 March

As the season begins to draw to a close, teams across the division are either picking up or dropping vital points as they look to achieve their season objectives. This weekend, there was a few shifts among the table, and there were also four dismissals, two own goals and two penalty misses. Here is your League Two Review:

Stevenage 2-3 Northampton Town 

Northampton all but confirmed their dominance of League Two with victory at Stevenage, but Chris Wilder’s side had to come from two goals down in their 2-3 win at the Lamex Stadium. Luke Wilkinson headed in twice from two Dean Parrett corners to put the Boro ahead, but James Collins headed in before the break to reduce the deficit. John-Joe O’Toole stabbed home the equaliser just after the break, before Fraser Franks was dismissed for the hosts after he fouled Sam Hoskins. But there was time for a late winner and it was a peach from Ricky Holmes who fired in from.the edge of the box.

 

Barnet 0-3 Oxford United 

Oxford remain in 2nd after a comfortable win at the Hive. Despite a goalless first half in which Barnet matched the U’s, Oxford midfielder Callum O’Dowda put the visitors ahead, before adding a second following a run from the halfway line. Barnet looked to reduce the deficit, but instead Danny Hylton added a third late on for Michael Appleton’s side.

 

Newport County 1-4 Bristol Rovers 

Bristol Rovers moved into the final automatic promotion place with a comfortable win at Newport in the Severnside Derby. Ollie Clarke’s stunner cancelled out Alex Rodman’s effort, before second half goals from Christian Montano, Matty Taylor and Ellis Harrison sealed the win for the Gas. Bristol Rovers have now moved above Plymouth into 3rd on goals scored after Plymouth lost at home against Luton.

 

Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Luton Town 

Plymouth have dropped out of the automatic promotion places after a home defeat to Luton. Jack Marriott’s cool finish at the near post was the games only goal, but Hatters keeper Jonathan Mitchell saved twice from Graham Carey, before denying Gregg Wylde late on.

Dagenham and Redbridge 0-1 Accrington Stanley 

Dagenham remain bottom in League Two but Accrington kept their play-off ambitions intact with victory at Victoria Road. Sean McConville came close for the visitors, but his header hit the bar, before Billy Kee saw his low drive late on seal the points for John Coleman’s side. The Daggers meanwhile are nine points from safety and survival from relegation to the Conference is beginning to look unlikely for John Still’s team.

 

Mansfield Town 1-1 Portsmouth 

Portsmouth remain in the playoffs despite being held to a draw at Mansfield. Matt Green put the Stags ahead with a cool finish, but Pompey were level before the break after Ryan Tafazolli put the ball in his own net from a Ben Davies corner.

 

Leyton Orient 1-0 Morecambe 

Leyton Orient moved back into the playoffs, but made hard work of it against ten man Morecambe. Shrimps keeper Barry Roche was dismissed inside the opening fifteen minutes after fouling Jay Simpson, but the O’s top scorer saw his resulting penalty saved by 19 year old substitute keeper Kieran O’Hara. But the young goalkeeper was helpless after Alan Goodall saw his clearance hit Ryan Edwards for an unfortunate own goal.

 

Carlisle United 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers 

Wycombe dropped out of the playoffs after a second successive 1-1 draw on the road. Sam Wood headed the Chairboys into the lead from a Joe Jacobson cross, but Charlie Wyke soon leveled after latching on to a precise through ball from Hallam Hope. Wycombe were awarded a penalty after Mark Gillespie fouled Garry Thompson in the box, but he redeemed himself by saving Jacobson’s penalty. Chairboys midfielder Marcus Bean was later dismissed for a foul on Mark Ellis, but neither side could find a winner.

 

AFC Wimbledon 2-1 York City 

York saw their survival hopes take another downfall as they lost a promotion chasing AFC Wimbledon. But the Minstermen had a half time lead after skipper Russell Penn netted the rebound after Vadaine Oliver saw his effort blocked. Rhys Murphy bundled in the equaliser following Danny Bulman’s fierce cross, before Jake Reeves stunning 30 yard effort beat Scott Flinders five minutes into stoppage time.

Cambridge United 3-0 Yeovil Town 

Cambridge kept their play-off hopes alive, ending Yeovil Town’s four game winning streak. Ben Williamson latched onto Josh Coulson’s flick to open the scoring, before Liam Walsh was dismissed for the visitors following an off the ball incident. Williamson then added a second in first half stoppage time, before James Spencer added a third late on.

 

Notts County 1-4 Exeter City 

Notts County saw their dismal home form continue as they lost to Exeter. Jayden Stockley put the Grecians ahead inside ten minutes, but Izale McLeod leveled for the Magpies. But second half goals from Jake Taylor, Christian Ribiero and Ollie Watkins sealed the win for Paul Tisdale’s side.

 

Crawley Town 0-0 Hartlepool United

Crawley and Hartlepool played out the day’s only goalless draw at Broadfield Stadium. The Pools came close through Nathan Thomas, but his header was wide, before he later hit the bar. Crawley saw their best effort fall to Sonny Bradley, but his header late on also missed the target. Hartlepool are now nine points clear of danger.