League Two round-up: 10/11/12

There were goals galore last weekend in League Two, with the net being found no fewer than 38 times. The round-up begins with shock result at Victoria Road where Dagenham & Redbridge took on Rotherham.

The Daggers secured a second successive victory which saw them move up to 14^th and further away from the dreaded drop-zone following their five goal demolition of Steve Evans’ Millers side. Dwight Gayle put the home side a goal up as early as the fifth minute and their lead was doubled by half time – Luke Howell netting after a great run down the left wing by midfielder, Femi Illesanmi. The third goal didn’t come until midway through the second period and it was Howell with his second of the game. With only 10 minutes remaining, there was still time for the Daggers to extend their advantage – Medy Elito drilled home for the fourth goal and Gayle grabbed his brace in the dying minutes with his well-timed header. Defeat for Rotherham sees them outside the playoffs and the last time Dagenham won by five clear goals, they beat Shrewsbury in August, 2008.

Six goals were scored when Northampton met Accrington at the Crown Ground in an entertaining encounter – a hat-trick for big man Adebayo Akinfenwa being a particular highlight and helping secure the points for the Cobblers. Akinfenwa was the first man onto the score sheet after 17 minutes – heading home from Joe Widdowson’s cross. Stanley levelled the score before half time through George Miller’s curler and the hosts took the lead the other side of the whistle – Rommy Boco with the goal. 10 minutes later, Northampton equalised with Jake Robinson scoring from close range. Akinfenwa’s second came two minutes later with, giving Northampton the lead and 15 minutes from time Bayo bagged his hat-trick with a neat volley.

Barnet’s decent run came to an abrupt end when they travelled to the Globe Arena to take on Morecombe – the hosts running out 4-1 victors. It was game over after 10 minutes with the opening two goals killing any chance of a comeback. Kevin Ellison fired the Shrimps in front before Andy Fleming doubled their advantage, Two late second half penalties wrapped up all three points for the home side – first given for a Barry Fuller foul on Lewis Alessandra and then a Krystian Pearce handball, allowing Richard Brodie to net twice in five minutes. A stoppage goal by the Bees’ striker Jon Nurse was no more than a consolation, but Barnet stay in 23^rd.

Elsewhere at the bottom, there were also losses for Wycombe (who took on Rochdale) and Aldershot (hosting Bradford). At Adams Park, Dale took an early lead through Ashley Grimes, but the hosts hit back 20 minutes later when Joel Grant chipped Josh Lillis between the sticks. A late winner in stoppage time for Grant – this time Rochdale’s Bobby – handed the visitors all three points, pushing them into the playoffs and leaving Wanderers hang precariously above the relegation zone. Meanwhile Aldershot continue to prop-up the rest of the division as a brace from Nahki Wells gave Bradford a 2-0 win – with both goals coming in the first period. A misplaced back-pass from Shots’ Sonny Bradley allowed Wells to latch onto a deserved opening goal and his second came after being in the right place at the right time – netting after James Hanson had his initial shot saved.

A late winner from Bristol Rovers handed them victory against Chesterfield – in a game containing five goals. An own-goal from Spireites’ defensive midfielder Sam Togwell gifted Rovers an early advantage, but Mark Randall equalised with his free-kick. The Gas retook the lead after the break – Joe Anyinsah latching onto Tom Eaves’ cross – before the score was levelled again. A debut goal from Brennan Dickenson (on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion) from 18 yards out was later cancelled out by the winner for Rovers. Tom Eaves turned from provider to scorer and got his name on the score sheet when his shot went in via a deflection.

Having also been drawn against each other in the first round proper of the FA Cup, York and AFC Wimbledon met in the league last weekend. The Minstermen’s six-game unbeaten run was put to an end with a 3-0 win for the Dons, at Bootham Crescent. An uneventful first half saw both teams go in all-square, but Wimbledon ran rampant in the second period. Byron Harrison struck from the edge of the penalty area to open the scoring. Two goals in the final 10 minutes secured the points: Stacy Long, recalled to the side, doubled their lead. The third and final goal came from the spot – Charlie Strutton brought down in the area and Jack Midson converting the consequent penalty.

There was also a win for Cheltenham who hosted Burton Albion. A solitary goal from Chris Zebroski four minutes from the final whistle extended the Robins’ unbeaten run to five matches.

Four goals were shared between Exeter and Fleetwood, and Plymouth who entertained league-leaders, Gillingham. At Home Park, a late equaliser from Adam Barrett gave the Gills a share of the spoils. Argyle took the lead through Curtis Nelson’s strike just after the half-hour mark, but Gillingham hit back minutes later when Ben Strevens got his first goal as a Gills player. With 10 minutes remaining, Luke Young looked set to hand all three points to the Pilgrims but former-Argyle player Barrett equalised ensuring both teams would finish the game as they started. Fleetwood made it two consecutive league wins in a row as they couldn’t hold on to their lead against Exeter. The visitors went ahead twice in the game – first early on when Steve McNulty converted from Dean Howell’s free-kick; Jamie Cureton equalising for Exeter midway through the opening forty-five. The Cod Army retook the lead when Barry Nicholson latched on to a through-ball and slotted past City keeper, Artur Krysiak. But the Grecians levelled again through John O’Flynn’s spot-kick with just over half an hour remaining.

The points were also shared between Oxford and Torquay, and Southend and Port Vale who played out uninspiring goalless draws.