League Two Review: 8 October

The weekend in League Two saw one of the more competitive set of matches thus far this season, as six of the 12 fixtures ended in draws.

We take a look around the country at League Two results for matchweek 12.

 

MANSFIELD TOWN 3 – 1 NOTTS COUNTY 

Second half substitute Matthew Green’s brace kept Mansfield Town in the top half of the league table in a 3-1 home victory over Notts County.

Fellow substitute Darius Henderson added a third goal deep into stoppage time as the Stags extended their unbeaten streak to four matches across all competitions.

Notts County’s Alex Rodman had leveled the match in the 82nd minute, but two late goals ultimately sank the visitors’ efforts.

Both clubs are now tied for eighth place in League Two with 17 points each.

 

BLACKPOOL 1 – 1 CAMBRIDGE UNITED 

Late drama at Bloomfield Road on Saturday saw Blackpool rescue a point in stoppage time, as they drew 1-1 with Cambridge United.

United midfielder Luke Berry scored in the 17th minute for a 1-0 lead and a strong defensive performance appeared to be enough for the visiting side to secure an important victory.

But an incredible freekick from the left foot of Blackpool midfielder Andy Taylor sent United goalkeeper Will Norris the wrong way for the equaliser.

The result has Blackpool tied for 15th in the league table, while Cambridge United sit just a point behind.

 

LEYTON ORIENT 0 – 1 PORTSMOUTH 

New Leyton Orient manager Alberto Cavasin could not help to stop the O’s poor run of form, as Portsmouth secured a 1-0 victory on Saturday afternoon to move into fourth place.

Pompey defender Christian Burgess scored the winning goal from a corner in the 57th minute.

Leyton Orient now sit 20th in the league table on 12 points.

 

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1 – 1 CHELTENHAM TOWN 

Cheltenham Town displayed excellent desire and determination on the road, finding a late equaliser with ten men to draw 1-1 at Accrington Stanley.

Defender Rob Dickie scored in the 90th minute to earn the Robins a crucial point.

Stanley striker Terry Gornell opened the scoring in the 74th minute, after a second yellow card issued to Daniel O’Shaughnessy in the 66th minute gave the hosts a man advantage.

Cheltenham manager Gary Johnson will be pleased by his side’s work rate throughout a physical and tough contest.

 

MORECAMBE FC 0 – 3 CARLISLE UNITED 

Morecambe endured a difficult afternoon on Saturday, losing 3-0 to a dominant Carlisle United. The victory keeps the Cumbrians’ undefeated start to the season alive.

Danny Grainger opened the scoring in the 15th minute and a disciplined defence held tight for their fifth clean sheet in league play.

Jason Kennedy added two goals in the second half, as the victory puts Carlisle in third place.

 

COLCHESTER UNITED 0 – 0 NEWPORT COUNTY 

Colchester United and Newport County played to a scoreless draw on Saturday, resulting in an important point for the Exiles.

Newport currently sit bottom of the table on seven points from ten matches.

New manager Graham Westley begins with the Exiles today and will look for the same effort moving forward on the pitch.

Colchester United and manager John McGreal will feel frustrated with dropping points at home, now sitting tied for 11th in League Two.

 

YEOVIL TOWN 1 – 0 WYCOMBE WANDERERS 

A first half goal and a solid defence allowed Yeovil Town to find three points in a 1-0 home victory over Wycombe Wanderers.

Near the bottom of the standings before the match, the result provides the Glovers necessary breathing room.

Ryan Hedges scored the only goal in the 36th minute.

The loss ends a run of three consecutive victories for Wycombe across all competitions.

 

EXETER CITY 0 – 0 GRIMSBY TOWN 

Exeter City missed a myriad of chances on Saturday and their match ended in a scoreless draw against Grimsby Town.

The result keeps the Grecians in one of the league relegation places.

Exter enjoyed the majority of possession, passing and shots early on but could not break down a stubborn Grimsby defence.

The point earned puts Grimsby Town into a tie for eighth place with Accrington Stanley and Mansfield Town.

 

DONCASTER ROVERS 3 – 2 BARNET

Barnet fought back impressively from a two-goal deficit at Doncaster Rovers, but Rovers forward Andrew Williams scored the winner in the final moments for his side in a 3-2 victory.

First half goals through James Coppinger and Matty Blair gave Doncaster a 2-0 halftime lead. Responses from Bira Dembele (62′) and Luke Gambin (86’) had the Bees on the cusp of a crucial result on the road.

Williams’ match-winner now has Doncaster Rovers placed second in the league.

 

HARTLEPOOL UNITED 1 – 1 CRAWLEY TOWN 

A late penalty for Crawley Town kept Hartlepool United from finding three points at home on Saturday, as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Lewis Alessandra scored the opener for the Pools in the 11th minute, but it was not enough to find the victory.

Crawley forward James Collins equalised from the penalty spot in the 75th minute. The Reds are currently tied for fifth place in the table.

LUTON TOWN 1 – 1 CREWE ALEXANDRA 

A tale of two halves saw Luton Town and Crewe Alexandra play to a 1-1 draw on Saturday at Kenilworth Road.

A strong first half from Luton resulted in a goal from forward Danny Hylton (44’), but the Hatters could not keep up the same performance throughout.

The Railwaymen drew level in the 64th minute with a goal from striker Ryan Lowe, as Crewe brought constant pressure on both sides of the pitch in the second half.

 

STEVENAGE 1 – 2 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 

Centre-back Sonny Bradley stole the show on Saturday afternoon, as his double was the difference for league leaders Plymouth Argyle in a 2-1 victory at Stevenage.

The win keeps the Pilgrims’ lead atop League Two at five points.

After Bradley’s opener in the 47th minute from a superb freekick routine, Stevenage striker Matt Godden leveled the match in the 54th minute.

Bradley’s second goal just moments later extends Plymouth’s league unbeaten streak to ten matches.