League Two Preview: Morecambe take on Accrington, Crawley entertain Notts County

Morecambe have hit the front of the League Two pack after three straight wins, their opening day defeat to new boys Grimsby Town the only blemish on this season’s league record thus far.

They succumbed to Bournemouth in the EFL Cup midweek, but will hope that they will emerge victorious today as they make the short journey to an Accrington Stanley side who went one better midweek by seeing off Premier League opponents in the shape of Burnley.

Crawley Town are holding on to Morecambe’s coat tails and Joe McNerney’s equaliser against Barnet last week ensured that their unbeaten record remains intact.

This week they have home advantage against Notts County and will want to extend the run even further.

Luton Town sit third after losing to Stevenage last weekend. They followed that disappointment by exiting the cup with a 1-0 loss to Leeds United. They’ll hope to find things a bit easier today as they take on bottom placed Cambridge United.

However the U’s have signed former Watford striker Uche Ikpeazu on a short-term contract this week – former Hornets love nothing more than notching against the Hatters, so keep an eye on Ikpeazu as he takes his first-team bow.

Elsewhere in the play-off spots, fourth placed Leyton Orient entertain seventh placed Mansfield, Colchester United travel to Wycombe Wanderers and Doncaster welcome Yeovil to Belle Vue.

Yeovil have probably been the most active team in the transfer market this week having finalised the signing of ex-Swansea midfielder Kyle Copp, extending the loans of Swansea defender Liam Shepherd and forward Ryan Hedges for the rest of the season, signing striker Izale McLeod on a free transfer and also adding Bournemouth midfielder Ben Whitfield to their squad, on loan until January.

Luton striker Marriott has one goal and one assist in League Two, so far this term – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

It will take some time for the new signings to gel, but there’s clearly a willingness to try new players in a season that has so far been underwhelming.

Yeovil aren’t the only side looking for fresh talent though. Blackpool have signed Jack Payne on a one-year deal, following his release from Peterborough.

The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Leyton Orient and will go straight into the Tangerines’ squad for the game at home to a much improved Plymouth Argyle side, who got the better of high flyers Mansfield last week.

Portsmouth were equally impressive in their 2-0 victory last time out against Colchester – two late goals enough to arrest their early season slump. Pompey will travel westwards till they reach Exeter today, to face a City side who remain one place off the foot of the table.

Crewe Alexandra have three straight league draws on their CV, and were unlucky to lose out 4-3 to Championship Blackburn in the cup midweek after extra-time, having led the tie by two clear goals.

They are still well placed in the table and take on third bottom Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road. It’s a good sign if you aren’t playing your best and can still gather a sizeable points total, expect Steve Davis’s side to pick up momentum in the coming weeks.

Their opponents have re-signed defender Rob Dickie on loan from Reading until January 2 and know exactly what the defender can offer, having spent much of last term on loan with the Robins, helping them win promotion from the National League.

Carlisle United travel to Barnet hoping for better luck than in midweek, when they lost an epic penalty shootout 14-13. In the game against Derby, thirty-two spot-kicks were taken before the Rams won – that’s a record that Carlisle will not want to remember. Whoever edges the encounter today is likely to ascend to a provisional play-off spot.

Twentieth takes on 21st as Stevenage travel to Grimsby Town. Stevenage this week signed Aston Villa midfielder Henry Cowans on loan until January.

The 20-year-old son of former Villa player Gordon Cowans, comes in after Boro midfielder Tom Conlon was ruled out for nine months with a serious knee injury.

Blackpool have snapped up Peterborough midfielder Jack Payne on a one-year deal – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

In the final match in the division Hartlepool United host a Newport County side facing a certain amount of disarray. Newport County manager Warren Feeney has openly said he wants to sign two or three players before the close of the transfer window – he’s not been able to bring many of those potential signings to fruition though and it will be interesting to see how the players under threat in his squad react to news that replacements will soon be arriving.

The only new face through the door thus far is 18-year-old free agent goalkeeper Marcus Beauchamp, a product of Norwich City’s youth academy.

The fallout from the war of words following the ill-tempered game versus Luton earlier in the season continues to hang over the Exiles.

Feeney has accepted a misconduct charge from the Football Association and will find out his punishment at a hearing on Friday; assistant Sean McCarthy has already accepted a one-game touchline ban; and the club have been charged for players surrounding the referee and for exceeding six bookings in a single match.

Life at County is hardly boring right now, but Feeney will want to put this behind them and let his team’s football do the talking. Distractions off the pitch seem to be getting in the way right now and that can’t be good for anyone.