League Two Round-up

by Mark Walker, PA Media

Exeter players celebrate during their impressive win at Cambridge

Grimsby Town forward Stefan Payne was sent off for early on, but Kieran Lee equalised soon after half-time headbutting team-mate Filipe Morais in his side’s 1-0 and Eoin Doyle struck with 12 minutes remaining for defeat at Bradford City, while Cheltenham Town went the Trotters, who sit two points above Tranmere. back to the top of the table. Payne was sent off in the dressing room by referee James Bell after clashing with Morais at the end of the first half. Bottom club Grimsby missed the chance to close the seven-point gap between themselves and third-bottom Colchester as Bradford’s Anthony O’Connor scored the only goal Offrande Zanzala’s penalty helped Carlisle United to a 2-2 draw at struggling Barrow, who are now six points clear of danger. Jack Armer put Carlisle ahead and although Scott Quigley and Patrick Brough struck to lift Barrow into the lead, the spoils were shared after just before half-time. Zanzala converted from the spot. Cheltenham moved one point above closest rivals Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ian Henderson scored Cambridge with a game in hand after Conor Thomas’ as Salford City edged to a 2-1 win over Stevenage, first-half penalty sealed a 1-0 home win against who had levelled through Luther Wildin, while Leyton Orient. Thomas converted from the spot in Walsall beat slumping Forest Green Rovers by the the 31st minute following Orient goalkeeper Lawrence same scoreline. Rory Holden and James Clarke were Vigouroux’s challenge on Andy Williams. on-target for the Saddlers, rendering Jordan MooreCambridge United slipped to a shock 4-1 home defeat Taylor’s goal a mere consolation for sixth-placed to Exeter City, but remain six points clear of fourth- Rovers, who parted company with Mark Cooper on placed Tranmere Rovers in the race for automatic Sunday having taken just one point from their last promotion. Ryan Bowman’s header and Jack Sparkes’ six matches. long-range effort put the play-off chasing Exeter Second-bottom Southend United moved to within 2-0 up within quarter of an hour before Joe Ironside four points of safety following their goalless draw reduced the deficit 10 minutes after half-time. But against Crawley at Roots Hall. Exeter midfielder Archie Collins scrambled home midway through the second half and LEAGUE TWO TABLE 2020/21 Matt Jay struck 10 minutes from time to help TEAM HOME AWAY the Grecians move to within one point of the P W D L F A W D L F A GD Pts top seven. 1 2 Cheltenham Town Cambridge United 40 41 11 11 4 5 5 5 31 27 19 19 10 10 5 3 5 7 23 34 16 22 19 20 72 71 Port Vale overcame a 45-minute delay due 3 Bolton Wanderers 40 10 5 6 25 21 9 5 5 25 24 5 67 to heavy snowfall to beat Morecambe 1-0 at 4 5 Tranmere Rovers Morecambe 40 40 10 10 3 5 7 4 29 28 22 22 8 8 8 4 4 9 23 26 25 31 5 1 65 63 Vale Park and extend their winning run to six 6 Forest Green Rovers 40 8 6 5 26 22 9 5 7 25 24 5 62 matches. Excessive snow at the ground led to referee Antony Coggins bringing the players 7 8 9 Newport County Exeter City Salford City 39 39 39 10 10 9 4 4 11 4 5 0 20 34 31 16 17 14 7 6 6 6 8 2 8 6 11 29 30 15 24 27 18 9 20 14 61 60 58 off just before the half hour as a clear-up 10 Carlisle United 39 12 2 6 37 24 5 5 9 18 22 9 58 operation ensued. Vale sprung out the traps 11 12 Bradford City Leyton Orient 39 40 9 8 6 7 4 5 22 26 15 18 7 8 4 2 9 10 24 18 28 23 3 3 58 57 when play resumed and Tom Conlon’s free- 13 Port Vale 41 8 5 8 25 21 7 3 10 28 31 1 53 kick was headed home by Nathan Smith in 14 Stevenage 41 8 7 5 23 15 4 10 7 13 21 0 53 the 34th minute. 15 16 Crawley Town Oldham Athletic 40 41 9 6 5 2 6 13 28 30 23 37 5 8 6 7 9 5 21 34 30 31 -4 -4 53 51 Bolton Wanderers moved up into the 17 Harrogate Town 40 6 4 9 15 19 8 3 10 26 27 -5 49 automatic promotion places after coming 18 19 Scunthorpe United Mansfield Town 39 41 7 4 6 10 8 7 22 26 25 30 6 5 2 9 10 6 16 20 22 22 -9 -6 47 46 from behind to beat Harrogate Town 2-1, with 20 Walsall 40 6 6 8 19 23 3 13 4 22 24 -6 46 Tranmere dropping to fourth as they drew a 21 Barrow 39 6 8 6 29 27 5 2 12 18 23 -3 43 blank in a goalless stalemate at Scunthorpe. 22 23 Colchester United Southend United 41 41 7 4 7 5 6 12 27 13 25 27 1 4 10 8 10 8 12 11 34 26 -20 -29 41 37 Gethin Jones’ own goal put Harrogate ahead 24 Grimsby Town 40 3 8 9 14 26 4 5 11 16 32 -28 34