Leyton Orient go three points clear at the top of League Two after a win against Salford as Stevenage were held to a draw away at Colchester. Third-placed Northampton also dropped points at home to struggling Newport, whilst Swindon moved up to fourth following a comprehensive victory at Mansfield.
Just the one goal was good enough for the O’s today as a lackluster Salford side failed to register a shot on target. Orient were comfortable throughout following Smyth’s 14th minute wonder goal, his seventh of the campaign. The Northern Ireland man weaved in and out of defenders, went down, got back up, and still managed to place the ball into the bottom corner from a tight angle. Orient were unable to add to their lead despite good chances for forwards Aaron Drinan and Theo Archibald. But the home side managed to hold out for their third successive win which saw them extend their lead at the top to three points.
Second place Stevenage went to Colchester in hope of returning to the top of the table but went behind early on due to a sublime finish from Marshall-Miranda. However, they equalised just 11 minutes later with a Danny Rose header. Boro were then the more dominant side for the remainder of the contest but failed to convert any of their chances with the game ending 1-1. Stevenage will view the point as two dropped with Colchester scoring with their only shot on target in the game. The result means Stevenage are now three points behind leaders Orient.
Swindon netted five at Mansfield to leapfrog them and go up to fourth in the table following a compelling second half display. The stags went in front in the first 60 seconds through Kellan Gordon before Jonny Williams leveled. Mansfield were again in front after half an hour, but Williams grabbed his second to equalise again. Jephcott put Swindon in front for the first time just six minutes after the break and then the home side were reduced to 10 men as Boateng picked up his second yellow card of the game. And they were duly punished just nine minutes after the sending off as Darcy put the game out of reach.
Gladwin wrapped up the game in the 85th minute from the spot, rounding off a superb comeback and three points for the Robbins, elevating them to 4th in the league.
Welsh side Newport travelled to Northampton aiming to continue on their recent turn in form under new manager Graham Coughlin. And they got off to the perfect start when Omar Bogle scored inside two minutes.
The away side probed the Northampton goal on a couple occasions throughout, but the Cobblers did have a penalty appeal turned down after Sam Hoskins went down. Newport looked set to hold out for a huge away win but Sam Hoskins denied them their three points with a goal in the third minute of stoppage time to rescue a point for the home side.
Bradford were on their home turf again as they welcomed Crawley Town to Valley Parade.
The away side were compact defensively and the Bantams struggled to break them down during the first half. But the home side did eventually find a goal ten minutes into the second half as Dion Pereira was played through and calmly chipped his shot over the Town keeper. But Crawley leveled just six minutes later as James Tilley scored a brilliant free kick. Bradford were unable to regain the lead and it ended 1-1, Crawley extending their unbeaten under interim manager Lewis Young to four.
Barrow hosted an out of form Crewe Alexandra looking to get back-to-back wins and they were leading just eight minutes in when Billy Walters met a cross at the back post and fired into the roof of the net. Shortly before half time, the Bluebirds’ lead was doubled as Josh Gordon got on the end of Ben Whitfield’s inviting ball in. The win was rounded off on the hour mark as Josh Gordon scored again after tackling Crewe defender and running through to finish off an admirable win for Barrow who moved up to fifth in the table. Crewe are now without a league win in seven.
Tranmere were shocked early on when Carlisle went 1-0 up inside the opening 60 seconds thanks to Kristian Dennis who met Jack Stretton’s cross to slide the ball into the net. Tranmere had great chances to equalise later on in the half but were unable to convert. And they were made to pay for their missed opportunities as Carlisle doubled their lead ten minutes after the restart as Dennis bagged a brace from the spot after Stretton was brought down. A disappointing defeat at home for Rovers as the Cumbrians go above them in the table up to seventh, while Tranmere remain 11th and lose their seven game unbeaten record.
Stockport notched their third successive league win in an emphatic win against Sutton. United were on the backfoot from the offset when striker Omar Bugiel was sent off after just three minutes because of a dangerously high challenge on Will Collar. With the one man advantage, it took County just 19 minutes to find their first goal as Kyle Wootton headed home from Brown’s cross. The home side’s second would come on 57 minutes as Paddy Madden prodded home his own rebound. The win was capped off with 18 minutes to go as Collar thumped a strike into the roof of the net. The win means Stockport climb to 14th after a troubled start whereas Sutton sit 17th.
Hayden White’s first ever goal for Walsall was the only goal of the game between the Saddlers and Rochdale. The goal came on 35 minutes as the centre-half fired home following a penalty box scramble. Dale did have chances of their own to make it 1-1 but finishing quality deserted them. The win is Walsall’s fourth in a row at home in the league and Rochdale continue to struggle and are level on points with second from bottom Hartlepool.
Danny Schofield was searching for his first win as new Donny boss at the third attempt, as they played Gillingham at the Eco-Power stadium. There were not many chances of note in the first half as neither side could create a clear opening. But Harrison Biggins found a goal on the hour mark with a header into the bottom right hand corner. The goal was enough for Schofield’s first win and Doncaster’s first in seven.
An eventful contest took place at the Cherry Red Records Stadium as Wimbledon hosted struggling Harrogate. Only one goal was scored in the first 45 with Paul Kalambayi heading home. But the game opened up in the second 45 as Matty Daly poked home second minutes after the interval to level. And the away side took the lead after 65 minutes when Rory Mcardle netted from Muldoon’s corner. Wimbledon fought back and equalised with six minutes left through Courtney Senior. Then, Josh Davison hit a late winner just four minutes after the leveler as Wimbledon completed the turnaround to steal a key win as Harrogate let their lead slip away.
Hartlepool also managed to secure a vital win at home to Grimsby in the north-east. The Mariners did in fact take the lead six minutes in courtesy of Holohan with an exquisite 20 yard effort. Grimsby held onto their lead for the majority of the game but Hartleppol found an equaliser in the 78th minute through Alex Lacey’s header. And Pool found a winner four minutes later due to a Niall Maher own goal. Thoroughly disappointing for Grimsby but the win pushes Hartlepool off the foot of the table.
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