League Two round-up: 06/10/12

A Lancashire derby and a Yorkshire derby – it was another exciting weekend of football in League Two; yet again there were late winners, remarkable comebacks and plenty of goals. The round-up begins at Victoria Road where Dagenham + Redbridge took on Bradford – a team who have largely relied on their home form so far this season.

The game did not disappoint with seven goals scored and the result, 4-3 in Dagenham’s favour was only their second win of the season. The home side went ahead in the opening five minutes through Billy Bingham’s strike and their advantage was doubled with half an hour played – Mickey Spillane with a strike from inside the penalty area. The Daggers continued to cruise in the second half and it was 3-0 when Luke Wilkinson head in from Medy Elito’s cross. Bradford hit back four minutes later through Nahki Wells and he doubled his – and the Bantams – tally when he converted from the penalty spot. Dagenham’s two-goal cushion was restored when Dwight Gayle got on the score sheet, but Bradford’s Alan Connell set up an exciting closing couple of minutes with his late goal. Final score: Dagenham + Redbridge 4-3 Bradford.

In Lancashire, Accrington Stanley took on Rochdale and it was the return of John Coleman to the Crown Ground. He spent 12 and a half years as manager of Accrington but his new side, Dale got off to a flying start in this game. It took little over 20 seconds for Dale to open the scoring – George Donnelly from 30 yards out. The away side doubled their lead just after the half hour mark: Dele Adebola felled by Toto Nsiala and Ashley Grimes converting the resulting penalty. The fight-back was on minutes later after Piero Mingoia drilled in a shot from 20 yards out and their equaliser came on the other side of the half time whistle through Rommy Boco. Dale got the decisive goal, however, with minutes to spare – Jason Kennedy giving Coleman’s side bragging rights.

Elsewhere, Bristol Rovers picked up their first home win of the campaign after they beat Northampton 3-1. The Cobblers were reduced to 10 men early on – defender Anthony Charles’ challenge on Derek Riordan deemed worthy of a red. From that point on it was always going to be a tough ask for Aidy Boothroyd’s side. However, the first goal didn’t come until the second half and it was two in four minutes for the hosts: first Tom Eaves converting Eliot Richard’s cross before Garry Kenneth doubled their lead. Adebayo Akinfenwa got what could have sparked a Northampton comeback but with five minutes left to play, Rovers restored their two-goal cushion through Ollie Norburn’s header.

There were surprise wins for managerless AFC Wimbledon who beat Plymouth away from home and Wycombe, who picked up their second win of the season when they entertained Torquay. At Home Park, Wimbledon took the lead in the first half through Byron Harrison. The three points always looked like they were heading the Dons way despite an exciting closing couple of minutes. Rhys Griffiths got an 89^th minute equaliser for Plymouth – scoring on the rebound after his penalty was initially saved – but Rashid Yussuff got the Dons’ winner in injury time. Meanwhile at Adams Park, Wycombe’s run of eight games without a win came to an end. Gary Doherty opened the scoring, nodding home from caretaker manager, Gareth Ainsworth’s cross. Torquay hit back before half time when Rene Howe netted but victory for the Chairboys was ensured when Josh Scowen’s header hit the back of the net. Win for Wycombe sees them out of the bottom two, on goal difference.

Barnet are still looking for their first win of the season and after being two goals up against Southend, chances don’t come much easier than that. Ricky Holmes’ ‘worldie’ put the Bees ahead in the second half and they found themselves two without reply when Jake Hyde netted his third goal in as many games. Freddy Eastwood hit back immediately for the hosts after Barry Fuller handled in the penalty area and a point was secured for the Shrimpers when Kevan Hurst scored late on. Either side could have won it at the death, the best chance being handed to Barnet’s Jamal Lowe – his air-kick with an open goal proving you don’t have much luck when you’re down the bottom! There was a similar score line at Whaddon Road where Cheltenham took on Conference champions Fleetwood. The visitors took the lead in the first half when David Ball scrambled the ball over the line. But Cheltenham hit back, scoring two in 10 minutes – Jeff Goulding came off the bench and got their equaliser before a Sido Jombati header took the score to 2-1. The rubies looked good value for all three points but a last minute goal from Fleetwood’s Junior Brown gave them a share of the spoils. With Exeter losing, Fleetwood remain in third.

There were also wins for Port Vale who travelled to Exeter and Chesterfield who played Aldershot – who now find themselves in the bottom two. A second half double from Tom Pope was enough to hand victory to Vale, and with Gillingham drawing, close the gap at the top to three points. A solitary goal was enough to hand Chesterfield their first away win of the season – Chris Atkinson scoring there.

In the Yorkshire derby, it was a point a-piece for York and Rotherham; Gillingham’s 100% away record came to an end as they were held by Oxford and Morecambe and Burton also played out a goalless draw.