With just 5 games to go for all bar Bradford and Burton, we catch up with the struggle for Stockport County, Northampton Town, Macclesfield, Cheltenham, Hereford and Morecambe. Who will play in the Npower League 2 circus next year and who will join the 9 ex League sides in the BSP, Luton and Grimsby included, who do not look as if they are coming back any time soon.
Stockport were nearly there until Wilson made it 2-2 in the 92nd minute of a pulsating second half in front of just 3,449 diehards. Roberts had given the visitors the lead on 56 but a Tansey penalty and Matt Paterson header kept the survival dream alive. Only an optimist, Big G, JC or old spooky would bet on the hatters pulling it off now.
Barnet continue to defy the odds, this week desposing of Crewe who won 8-2 last week. Leach settled the home nerves on 11 and then McLeod doubled the advantage on 26 thanks to Imps target Tommy Frazer who had another blinding game. Donaldson got a penalty in injury time but Barnet held on to win again. The Imps meet Crewe next week, whilst the Bees are now level on points with the drooping Brewers and just two goals worse off.
Burton lost at home again and those games in hand and chances against those around then are running out. This week it was Morecambe’s turn with a decisive 2-1 win that lifts them to 15th, just one shy of the mythical bullseye. The Shrimps were ahead after 14 through a scrappy McCready before a Carlton haymaker made it two on 67. Maghoma got one back on 78 but it was too little two late fro the Brewers who now look favourites to join Stockport.
Northampton were three down at half time to Bury. Lowe opened the scoring pouncing on a rebound in true predatory style on 24 before Ajose added a second four minutes later. Damien Mozika got a deflection on 42 to round off the first half rout. The second half saw Ajose race clear to slot home his second to put the Shakers 4-0 up on 57 before Shaun Harrad beat the offside trap to pull one back on 59. Harrad completed his brace with a consummate lob on 91 to give the Cobblers some consolation after being thoroughly outclassed.
The Imps are 20th after being totally found out by four goal Gillingham who did not even need to get out of second gear to extend their unbeaten run to 15. That’s no goals for and 10 against in the last two to really get those season ticket sales gathering pace. An unmarked Gowling headed the first on 20 before McDonald, also unmarked, headed the second four minutes shy of half time. McDonald was denied a brace even though Hone merely aided his drive on the hour, before Akinfenwa, also unmarked headed a fourth on 69 to leave the Imps in an even more interesting position.
Macc drew 2-2 at Accrington with Vinny Mukendi grabbing a priceless point at the death. Bencherif – the goal machine - gave then the lead on 22 before Procter equalised on 73. Edwards then snatched an ill deserved lead with a penalty before Vinny kept Simmo’s Silkmen six points from the drop zone.
Bradford were hammered at home 0-3 by Torquay in front of 10,894 to undo some of the good work done at Macc on Tuesday. Nicholson got things going with a volley on 31 before Tomlin tapped home on 59. Kee finished of a painful afternoon for the punch-drunk Bantams faithful on 78.
Cheltenham also got an invaluable point at home to the Millers with Gallinagh (62) equalising Taylor’s 11th minute drive. The resilient Robins cleared two efforts from Pope and one from Law off the line to move within 2 of their 50 point target.
Hereford have got those three points back with a three goal thumping of League leaders Chesterfield. Fleetwood headed the Bulls in front, before a sweet Steven Leslie 20-yard drive doubled the lead on 76. Man of the match Colbeck curled a sublime finish from the edge of the box to crown a majestic display from the Bulls.
So Morecambe and Hereford streak up the table with the Robins also nearing the finish line. Bradford and Macc should have enough given their run-ins whilst Lincoln, Northampton and Burton are now looking over their sholders now that Barnet are very much on the rise. A miserable afternoon for the Imps was completed with Grimes getting a 10th booking of the season to miss the next two starting with Crewe. Hereford leapfrogged us to leave us just 3 points ahead of Northampton and 5 in front of Barnet and Burton.
Here is the table followed by those left to play on a team by team basis.
1 Chesterfield 41 32 78
2 Wycombe 41 13 69
3 Bury 40 29 68
4 Shrewsbury 41 15 66
5 Torquay 41 23 64
6 Stevenage 41 19 64
7 Gillingham 41 15 64
8 Accrington 41 13 64
9 Port Vale 41 3 61
10 Rotherham 41 14 60
11 Oxford Utd 41 0 57
12 Aldershot 41 -1 56
13 Crewe 41 17 55
14 Southend 41 3 53
15 Morecambe 41 -12 49
16 Cheltenham 41 -19 48
17 Bradford 40 -15 47
18 Macclesfield 41 -16 47
19 Hereford 41 -14 46
20 Lincoln City 41 -29 46
21 Northampton 41 -11 43
22 Burton Albion 39 -16 41
23 Barnet 41 -18 41
24 Stockport 41 -45 36
STOCKPORT (24TH)
April 9th - Stevenage (Home)
April 16th - Shrewsbury (Away)
April 23rd - Port Vale (Away)
April 25th - Northampton Town (Home)
April 30th - Crewe (Away)
May 7th - Cheltenham Town (Home)
BARNET (23RD)
April 9th - Crewe (Home)
April 16th - Bury (Away)
April 23rd - Gillingham (Away)
April 25th - Oxford United (Home)
April 30th - Accrington Stanley (Away)
May 7th - Port Vale (Home)
BURTON ALBION (22ND)
April 9th - Morecambe (Away)
April 12th - Bury (Away)
April 16th - Cheltenham (Home)
April 19th - Bradford City (Away)
April 23rd - Aldershot (Away)
April 25th - Torquay United (Home)
April 30th - Southend United (Away)
May 7th - Accrington Stanley (Away)
NORTHAMPTON TOWN (21st)
April 9th - Bury (Home)
April 16th - Wycombe Wanderers (Away)
April 22nd - Rotherham United (Away)
April 25th - Stockport County (Away)
April 30th - Stevenage (Home)
May 7th - Morecambe (Away)
LINCOLN CITY (20th)
April 9th - Gillingham (Home)
April 16th - Crewe (Away)
April 22nd - Bury (Away)
April 25th - Cheltenham Town (Home)
April 30th - Oxford United (Away)
May 7th - Aldershot (Home)
HEREFORD UNITED (19th)
April 9th - Chesterfield (Home)
April 16th - Rotherham United (Away)
April 23rd - Shrewsbury Town (Home)
April 25th - Morecambe (Away)
April 30th - Bradford City (Home)
May 7th - Macclesfield Town (Away)
MACCLESFIELD TOWN (18TH)
April 8th - Accrington Stanley (Home)
April 16th - Chesterfield (Away)
April 23rd - Cheltenham Town (Away)
April 25th - Southend United (Home)
April 30th - Gillingham (Away)
May 7th - Hereford United (Home)
BRADFORD CITY (17th)
April 5th - Macclesfield Town (Away)
April 9th - Torquay United (Home)
April 15th - Southend United (Away)
April 19th - Burton Albion (Home)
April 23rd - Accrington Stanley (Away)
April 25th - Aldershot (Home)
April 30th - Hereford United (Away)
May 7th - Crewe (Home)
CHELTENHAM TOWN (16TH)
April 9th - Rotherham United (home)
April 16th - Burton Albion (Away)
April 23rd - Macclesfield Town (Home)
April 25th - Lincoln City (Away)
April 30th - Shrewsbury (Home)
May 7th - Stockport (Away)
MORECAMBE (15TH)
April 9th - Burton Albion (Home)
April 16th - Gillingham (Away)
April 22nd - Crewe (Away)
April 25th - Hereford (Home)
April 30th - Port Vale (Away)
May 7th - Northampton (Home)