LEAGUE TWO

MACCLESFIELD 0 MANSFIELD 0

MANAGER Daryl McMahon was satisfied as he ended another trying week for Macclesfield with a point. McMahon’s players had vowed not to play the game unless they were paid their wages the previous day. But once they received them they delivered a gritty showing to end a four-game losing run.

‘The performance from the group was outstanding, I’m proud of them,’ he said. ‘I think you’ve seen this young team grow up.’

On the field it was a low-quality contest with Mansfield’s Nicky Maynard testing the hosts’ keeper Owen Evans.

At the other end Arthur Gnahoua had a decent chance for the hosts, but Mansfield keeper keeper Conrad Logan (above) was rarely troubled.

FOREST GREEN 0 PLYMOUTH 1

ANTONI SARCEVIC struck the only goal of the game to send Forest Green tumbling to their first home loss since August. Plymouth manager Ryan Lowe praised the scorer: ‘He’s a pleasure to work with,’ he said.

CRAWLEY 1 MORECAMBE 1

A LATE strike from Cole Stockton cancelled out Bez Lubala’s firsthalf penalty and gave Morecambe a hard-earned point. Their new manager Derek Adams said: ‘We’ve got to tidy up in certain areas. We’ve got a tight-knit group and all work for each other.’

PORT VALE 2 CARLISLE 1

MARK CULLEN’S late goal earned the three points for Port Vale, after they fell behind in the opening 20 seconds. Ryan Loft gave the visitors an early lead before David Worrall and Cullen’s second-half strikes.

EXETER 0 CHELTENHAM 0

EXETER boss Matt Taylor felt it was a case of two teams cancelling each other out at St James Park. ‘I am pleased with our intent and our attitude,’ Taylor said. Cheltenham manager Michael Duff was happy with a point. ‘We looked solid,’ he added.

NORTHAMPTON 4 CREWE 1

SCOTT WHARTON’S brace, a penalty from Sam Hoskins and goal from Andy Williams eased Northampton to the win. Chris Porter scored a consolation for Crewe whose manager David Artell said: ‘We had chances.’

L ORIENT 0 SCUNTHORPE 2

ROSS EMBLETON’S third spell in caretaker charge of Orient got off to a disappointing start, as goals from Alex Gilliead and Lee Novak gave Scunthorpe the points. Embleton said: ‘It’s obviously been a disappointing period for us, but football moves on.’

WALSALL 2 CAMBRIDGE 1

JOSH GORDON scored after just 49 seconds as Walsall ended a six-game league losing streak. Mat Sadler was also on target for Walsall, while Harvey Knibbs hit a late consolation for Cambridge.

SALFORD 2 SWINDON 3

EOIN DOYLE scored two, one from the spot, and Jerry Yates was also on the scoresheet as Swindon secured their fourth consecutive victory. Their manager Richie Wellens said: ‘This is not an easy place to come.’ Adam Rooney scored two penalties for Salford.