LEAGUE TWO
NORTHAMPTON 1 FOREST GREEN 1
MITCH PINNOCK scored with virtually the last kick of the game to rescue a point for Northampton. Matt Stevens’ header was deemed to have crossed the line to put runaway leaders Forest Green in front — and that goal left Northampton manager Jon Brady furious. ‘It’s very clear that the ball is a yard from the line,’ he said.
TRANMERE 2 ROCHDALE 0
CHARLIE JOLLEY scored a superb double as promotion-chasing Tranmere continued their fine form. Manager Micky Mellon said: ‘Jolley’s a great young player. I was hoping he was going to get his hat-trick but that’s being greedy.’ Rochdale manager Robbie Stockdale said: ‘We shot ourselves in the foot.’
PORT VALE 1 SWINDON 3
A JONNY WILLIAMS strike, Ben Gladwin penalty and Nathan Smith own goal secured the points for Swindon over 10-man Port Vale. The visitors’ boss Ben Garner said: ‘I thought from front to back we were absolutely brilliant.’ Kian Harratt scored for Port Vale, who had goalkeeper Lucas Covolan sent off.
STEVENAGE 3 SUTTON 3
RICHIE BENNETT scored in added time to snatch a point for Sutton. Alistair Smith and Robert Milsom (penalty) also scored for the visitors. Jamie Reid netted twice and Luke Norris was also on target for relegation-threatened Stevenage.
EXETER 2 SCUNTHORPE 0
EXETER manager Matt Taylor said he does not want to put too much pressure on new striker Ozzie Zanzala as he marked his debut with a goal. ‘It’s a good start for him,’ Taylor said. Jevani Brown had opened the scoring for the hosts shortly after the hour mark.
BRADFORD 2 SALFORD 1
PAUDIE O’CONNOR’S strike added to a Ryan Watson own goal earned Bradford their first home win for seven games. Salford’s Brandon Thomas-Asante scored before being sent off.
COLCHESTER 0 BARROW 2
BARROW boss Mark Cooper said his side’s triumph was a ‘great result’ for the club. ‘We knew they would give everything,’ he said. Tom Dallison’s own goal and substitute Josh Kay’s strike in added time sealed the win.
NEWPORT 4 HARROGATE 0
ASSISTANT manager Wayne Hatswell said Newport were ‘clinical’ against Harrogate. The goals came from Mickey Demetriou (penalty), Dom Telford (two) and Courtney Baker-Richardson.
BRISTOL ROVERS 2 HARTLEPOOL 0
JOEY BARTON hailed the efforts of Rovers goalkeeper James Belshaw. Aaron Collins and Antony Evans sealed the points while Hartlepool had Jamie Sterry sent off. Barton said: ‘James has absolutely flourished since joining us.’
MANSFIELD 2 WALSALL 0
MANSFIELD chalked up their seventh home league win in a row thanks to a Harry Charsley brace. Boss Nigel Clough was delighted. ‘We’re now looking up rather than down which is nice,’ he said.
CARLISLE 1 CRAWLEY 1
ASHLEY NADESAN’S first-half effort for Crawley seemingly sunk his former club, before his missed penalty galvanised the hosts. Lewis Alessandra came off the bench for his first appearance in two months to bag a late leveller.