Threesy does it at last for Clem
Gillingham 3 Salford 1
GILLINGHAM boss Stephen Clemence paid tribute to the mentality of his players as they turned on the style to score three goals at home for the first time since March 2021.
It was also the Gills’ first League Two victory under their new boss as they moved up to eighth in the table.
“I knew when I came into the club that we’d only scored two goals twice this season,” Clemence said.
“I tried to put that demand to my players and they’ve matched it. Well done to them.
“They worked hard and got themselves in the goals. I’ve not looked at the league table yet so we’ll take one game at a time and see where it takes us.”
The hosts took the lead in the 21st minute when Connor Mahoney (above) cut inside his man and fired home into the bottom corner following
Accrington 2 Wrexham 0
PHIL PARKINSON claimed the penalty which broke the deadlock was a “terrible decision” as Wrexham’s unbeaten eight-game run in League Two ended.
The Wrexham boss said: “It was a bit of shirt pulling and was harsh.”
Accies chief John Coleman praised Stanley for being “rich in passion, pride and desire” after a win which put them back in the play-offs.
“I don’t think you could give any of our players less than an eight.”
Forest Green 2 Grimsby 2
DAVID HORSEMAN threatened to wield the axe after Forest Green squandered a lead.
The manager said: “We will replace them, but we haven’t got that luxury.”
A brace from substitute Donovan Wilson cancelled out Kyle Mcalllister’s firsthalf double, and Grimsby’s joint-interim boss Ben Davies said: “The statistics of substitutes who win points is through the roof.”
Mansfield 2 Newport 0
MANSFIELD boss Nigel Clough is delighted to remain unbeaten following their fifth straight League Two win against Newport.
Davis Keillor-dunn scored in each half, while Rhys Oates missed a 31st-minute penalty. Clough said: “To still be unbeaten is brilliant. That is 17 now – or 18 if you include last season.”
Newport boss Graham Coughlan admitted: “The better team won. We don’t have any arguments with that.” commendable work from Jonny Williams and Tom Nichols.
But Salford responded well and their direct style of play swiftly paid dividends when talisman Matt Smith headed home his 15th goal of the season in all competitions.
The 34-year-old pinned his marker Shad Ogie before burying Ryan Watson’s inviting delivery.
Smith was inches away from doubling his tally right on the half-time whistle when he glanced Declan John’s deep cross narrowly wide of the post.
Gills centre-forward Nichols restored his side’s lead in the 54th minute following excellent trickery from winger Williams, whose cross was headed home emphatically.
The home side extended their lead in the 62nd minute when Dom Jefferies headed in after fine play from Mahoney and Cheye Alexander.
Barrow 1 Crawley 0
SCOTT LINDSEY accused referee Seb Stockbridge of “lying” after claiming Emile Acquah fouled Will Wright in the build-up to Dom Telford’s winner.
The Crawley boss said: “He told players he didn’t see it. But he ran straight over with his arms in the air saying ‘play-on’.” Barrow manager Pete Wild said: “It was at the referee’s discretion to pull it back if he felt there was a head injury or a foul.”
Harrogate 1 Swindon 1
MICHAEL FLYNN bemoaned the “perfectly legitimate” disallowed goal in Swindon’s draw at Harrogate.
Jack Muldoon’s goal cancelled out Jake Young’s effort, who was penalised during a scramble with Harrogate’s Jonathan Mitchell that saw the ball cross the line off his heel.
Manager Flynn said: “We had a perfectly legitimate goal disallowed.”
Harrogate boss Simon Weaver said: “I enjoyed our performance in this game.”
Sutton 1 Tranmere 1
NIGEL ADKINS praised Tranmere after winning their first away point of the season but admitted the draw felt like a loss.
Louis John struck in the 88th minute for Sutton to cancel out Ben Goodliffe’s own goal.
Manager Adkins said: “We were hard to beat. We didn’t lose, but it feels like a defeat.”
Sutton boss Matt Gray said: “It was a real spirited and together display.”