West world perfect for inspired Exiles
CARLISLE suffered a shock first defeat of the League Two season as they were beaten 2-0 at bottom club Newport.
Goals from on-loan pair Josh Sheehan and Rhys Healey secured a second successive victory for Graham Westley’s Exiles and ended the Cumbrians’ 16-game unbeaten run.
Midfielder Sheehan, borrowed from Swansea, opened the scoring inside two minutes at Rodney Parade before Cardiff loanee Healey netted.
Plymouth stretched their advantage to seven points as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Crewe.
Alex Kiwomya put the hosts ahead early on but Alex’s George Cooper had a penalty saved by Pilgrims goalkeeper Luke McCormick.
Strikes from Craig Tanner and Graham Carey (above) turned the game in the visitors’ favour to stretch their unbeaten league record to 13 games.
John Marquis scored twice for Doncaster as they recovered from going behind to beat Exeter 3-1 and hang on to third spot.
Portsmouth climbed to fourth after thrashing nine-man Mansfield 4-0 at Fratton Park. Gary Roberts edged Pompey ahead from the penalty spot.
Stags defenders Kyle Howkins and Alex Iacovitti were sent off. Noel Hunt secured victory before Carl Baker added a late double.
Omar Bogle missed a last-minute penalty as Marcus Bignot was denied victory in his first game in charge of Grimsby as Barnet came from two goals down to draw 2-2.
Bogle put his side in the box seat with two strikes but John Akinde fired in two penalties. Bogle then fired over from the spot after Bees’ Alie Sesay was sent off.
Greg Taylor helped Cambridge to a 3-1 win at Crawley. Jay Simpson’s double and a goal from defender Nicky Hunt earned Leyton Orient a 3-0 win at Colchester, while Luton hung on for a 1-0 win over Accrington after Jordan Cook was sent off following Cameron McGeehan’s goal.
Ben Whitfield rescued a point for Yeovil with a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Stevenage.
Lewis Alessandra and Matthew Bates gave Hartlepool a 2-0 win over Cheltenham.
And Wycombe beat Morecambe by 2-0 thanks to Aaron Pierrer and Luke O’Nien.