LEAGUE TWO
CRAWLEY 2 Nichols 34, 46
STEVENAGE 2 Read 80, Cuthbert 90+2
STRIKER Tom Nichols said Crawley must learn to hold on to leads after shipping two late goals.
Stevenage struck twice in the last 10 minutes to steal a point.
And Nichols said: “I am not blaming anybody individually. But it was another late goal and we must improve on seeing games out as a team.
“If we have ambitions to go higher, we need to tidy up late in the game.”
FOREST GREEN 2 Stevens 33, 61 NEWPORT 0
ROB EDWARDS says Forest Green’s form against their main rivals is driving their title bid.
Matty Stevens (right, celebrating) fired in both of Rovers’ goals.
And boss Edwards said: “It’s brilliant to beat the teams around us. The lads deserve credit for a lot of hard work.
“You can’t take your foot off the gas in any game. We could have been more ruthless.”
SCUNTHORPE 0 OLDHAM 1 Luamba 83
JOHN SHERIDAN is convinced Oldham have the cutting edge to survive after claiming his first win since returning to the club.
The Latics boss saw Scunthorpe seen off – then said: “If we can stay strong as a team, as a unit, and stay in games I think now we’ve got a bit of pace.
“And we’ve got people who can hopefully score the goals we need.”
BARROW 1 Banks 58 pen TRANMERE 1 Hawkes 16
MARK COOPER believes his Barrow side have shown that they can climb away from the drop zone after taking four points in a week.
The Bluebirds built on their midweek win at Northampton, and boss Cooper said: “Once we got the penalty we had a head of steam to win it.
“If the players have a go, the nature of the division will throw up chances for you.”
HARROGATE 2 Diamond 62, 71 BRADFORD 0
HARROGATE boss Simon Weaver said that keeper Mark Oxley does not get the credit he deserves.
Weaver insisted: “He’s a top keeper, that’s four clean sheets at home on the bounce.
“Mark’s a very good professional, he just goes about his business.
“He won’t be tweeting anybody, he’s just interested in working hard for his family and the club.”
SUTTON 1 Bennett 19 BRISTOL ROV 1 Evans 85 pen
JOEY BARTON praised the response of Rovers keeper Anssi Jaakkola in defying Sutton victory after six months out.
Boss Barton said: “He’s not had the best of luck with his injuries. James Belshaw has come in and been superb for us.
“So I thought for Anssi to step up at that moment and make those saves is what big players do. They come up with big moments.”
LEYTONORIENT 0 COLCHESTER 1 Sears 4
WAYNE BROWN reckons Colchester’s win at Orient will strengthen his players’ self-belief.
Caretaker boss Brown said: “This win should show the individuals in the group the character that we have within the squad to come in and do a job – and win ugly.
“Any successful team and any successful club can have depth – we’ve got numbers on board, strength in depth.”
SWINDON 1 Tomlinson 58 EXETER 2 Brown 84, Dieng 88
JOE TOMLINSON had mixed feelings after making his Swindon debut as Exeter won with a powerful finish.
The on-loan Peterborough defender said: “I’ve been to the County Ground growing up and always followed the club.
“The welcome I got today was brilliant and it was just a shame we couldn’t give the fans the three points.”
WALSALL 0 NORTHAMPTON 1
Pinnock 10
MATT TAYLOR urged his Walsall strugglers to take a lead from stand-in skipper Liam Kinsella.
Saddlers boss Taylor, who saw Northampton win with a goal from Mitch Pinnock (left), said: “Liam was outstanding with his effort, desire and determination.
“It was an outstanding performance – and we need more of that from other members of the squad.”