League One Review: 8/9 October

There were just nine games across League One over the weekend, and as usual at The Sports Lowdown, we have you covered.

 

 

Scunthorpe United 1-1 Northampton Town

Scunthorpe missed the chance to extend their advantage at the top of League One as they were held at home against ten man Northampton.

Josh Morris gave the Iron the lead just before the break, curling in a free kick to net goal number 13 from just 15 games, his sixth in his last four.

The Cobblers were reduced to ten midway through the second half when Matt Taylor was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Neal Bishop, but the visitors pressed for an equaliser, when Jak McCourt’s initial shot was only parried, before he levelled with the rebound.

As a result, Northampton move up to fifth after recording a fourth away draw, whilst Scunthorpe have seen their lead cut to just one point.



Bradford City 2-0 Shrewsbury Town

Bradford find themselves just one point behind Scunthorpe as they kept their unbeaten run in tact with a win over Shrewsbury.

Nicky Law gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half, drilling home from ten yards, with his first Bantams goal.

Felipe Morais came close to adding a second, but was denied by some last ditch defending, before Shrewsbury, who are manager less following Micky Mellon’s decision to leave and join Tranmere Rovers, were denied a second half penalty after Stephen Darby appeared to handle the ball inside the box.

The Shrews pressed for an equaliser, but in stoppage time it was the hosts that netted a second when Haris Vuckic converted from the spot after Antoni Sarcevic brought down Daniel Devine.

 

Peterborough United 3-1 Bury

Peterborough ended their run of six games without victory as they beat in form Bury at the ABAX Stadium.

But the visitors, who had won five games back to back last month, took a fortuitous lead after just two minutes when Hayden White put Zeli Ismail’s cross into his own net.

But the Posh levelled before the break through Chris Forrester after a clever one-two, before Marcus Maddison slotted home his sixth of the season to give the hosts the lead.

There was a third shortly after with Antony Kay turning the ball into his own net following a Tom Nichols cross, lifting the Posh up to eighth in League One.

 

Milton Keynes Dons 0-1 Port Vale

Port Vale recorded their first away win since April as they left Stadium:MK with all three points.

But the hosts began stronger, and came closest to scoring through Kieran Agard’s header before Dean Lewington’s struck the post.

Shortly after, Lewington handball inside the box gave the Valiants the chance to open the scoring, and despite David Martin keeping out Alex Jones’ spot kick, the forward smashed home the rebound.

Nicky Maynard and Brandon Thomas-Asante forced Jak Alnwick into saves, before Ben Reeves struck the bar as Karl Robinson’s side were unable to rescue a point.

 

Swindon Town 0-1 Bolton Wanderers

There was late drama at the County Ground as Swindon conceded a late goal and ended the game with ten men in their match against Bolton.

Robins goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux was in fine form, denying the Trotters on multiple occasions, but when Josh Vela’s 86th minute shot was deflected by Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill, the keeper was unable to keep it out.

It got worse for the hosts as just six minutes later, Raphael Rossi-Branco was dismissed for an elbow on Lawrie Wilson.

For Bolton, this was their first league win in eight games as Phil Parkinson looks to lift his side back up the table.

 

Rochdale 3-0 Southend United

Rochdale made it five successive victories as they eased past Southend at Spotland.

The hosts, who have had a resurgent form following their poor start, tool the lead after 18 minutes when Niall Canavan headed in Joe Bunney’s free kick.

Ten minutes later, and Dale were two goals up after Calvin Andrew finally finished following poor Shrimpers defending.

Southend barely threatened the Rochdale goal, whilst at the other end, there could have been plenty more. 16 year old Aaron Morley clipped the post from 18 yards, before Nathaniel Mendez-Laing added a third with six minutes remaining.

 

Oxford United 1-3 AFC Wimbledon

AFC Wimbledon recorded their first ever win over Oxford as the Dons left the Kassam Stadium after a controversial 3-1 victory.

Neal Ardley’s side hadn’t beaten the U’s in twelve attempts, but took the lead against the run of play when Tom Elliott saw his header deflect past Simon Eastwood.

Shortly before the goal, Chey Dunkley was caught late by Elliott following a two footed challenge, in which the ref awarded the forward a yellow card.

Clever footwork from Liam Sercombe nearly brought the hosts level, before Chris Maguire was fouled inside the box, but the referee waved away the penalty appeal.

The Dons added a second five minutes before the break, but again it came under controversy. Dean Parrett beat two men, before slightly over running the ball, and his lunge on Wes Thomas was ignored by the ref, and Darius Charles curled home from 20 yards.

With the U’s players and supporters still protesting, the Dons added a third before the break when Andy Barcham’s delicate through ball was finished by Jake Reeves.

Oxford, who dominated possession over the course of the game, found a goal after the restart when Charles turned in Chris Maguire’s cross.

If the hosts managed a second, you could sense a comeback, but when Barry Fuller headed Phil Edwards’ effort off the line, it wasn’t going to be their day.

 

Gillingham 1-2 Oldham Athletic

A late strike from Ryan Flynn saw bottom club Oldham steal the win at Gillingham.

Cody McDonald gave the Gills a tenth minute lead, and he should have had a second midway through the first half.

Substitute Freddie Ladapo levelled for the Latics in the second half, before Flynn tapped home into an empty net late on to give the visitors a much needed win.