League Two Preview: Grimsby visit leaders Luton Town, Morecambe host Doncaster

In one of the more intriguing encounters in League Two this weekend, Morecambe will welcome Doncaster Rovers to the Globe Arena.

The second-placed Shrimps slipped up last week in a 2-1 defeat to Leyton Orient, but remain well-placed in the division, Rovers on the other hand lost by the same scoreline to Crewe Alexandra last time out.

Orient this week will look to build on their own promotion ambitions as they travel to Brunton Park to take on a Carlisle United side which may well feature new signing, striker Nathan Tyson, who arrives on trial following his close-season release by Doncaster.

Dean Wells scored in Stevenage’s 6-1 thrashing of Hartlepool last weekend – Photo: Charlotte Wilson / Offside.

Crewe, just outside the play-off places at time of writing, will host Exeter City at Gresty Road. Exeter have real injury troubles, but manager Paul Tisdale will be pleased that his patched-up side secured a second league win of the season last time out at Colchester United – a result that saw the U’s tumbling out of the precious play-off zone.

Colchester will want to get things back on track quickly, but may have chosen different opposition this week as they run headlong into a Blackpool side in fine form at the Colchester Community Stadium – the Tangerines thumping Yeovil Town 3-0 last time out.

The Glovers can drag themselves out of the relegation zone if they can beat Hartlepool United at Huish Park. That doesn’t seem an unreachable ambition given that Pools were destroyed 6-1 last week in a second-half avalanche of goals at Stevenage. Tyler Walker scored a brace in that encounter and will hope to fire the Boro to victory again against Crawley Town at Broadhall Way.

Crawley aren’t exactly in tigerish form either having lost 3-0 to Portsmouth last week, but that was result was testament to the hard work and determination of Pompey. The South Coast giants seem to have really hit their stride, Curtis Main in particular chipping in with a couple of goals last time, but that win came at a cost – with defender Drew Talbot ruled out for between six and eight weeks with a hamstring injury, manager Paul Cook has confirmed.

Portsmouth host Wycombe Wanderers this weekend at Fratton Park, the Wanderers stumbling away from a 4-1 defeat to leaders Luton Town.

The Hatters look like they might be the real deal this season, Danny Hylton’s hat-trick last week shows a striker with a keen eye for goal, he’ll be happy to add to that tally as league new boys Grimsby Town roll up to Kenilworth Road.

Grimsby drew away with Notts County last time, adding yet more valuable points to their ever-growing total. They certainly haven’t seemed out of their depth and have played some attractive football along the way.

Notts County host an Accrington Stanley side at Meadow Lane which is drifting in the wrong direction. John Sheridan’s team will know there is an opportunity to climb yet further away from their visitors.

John Akinde scored for Barnet after just 23 seconds at Newport, only for the match to be abandoned at the interval – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Bottom team Cambridge United face a difficult challenge as they travel to Plymouth Argyle. The U’s did manage a point last week against promotion candidates Mansfield Town, but Plymouth are on a decent run right now, benefiting in no small part from gaffer Derek Adams’ decision to convert summer signing Yann Songo’o into a pivotal central midfielder instead of his tried and tested position of centre back.

The Stags of Mansfield welcome luckless Barnet to Field Mill. The Bees were left frustrated last week after leading Newport County in a League Two match that was abandoned at half-time because of heavy rain. They started quickly, scoring in just 23 seconds, and also hit the bar before the game was called off – if they can carry forward that moment, they will certainly have a chance.

In the final game this week, Warren Feeney’s Newport will have time to regroup as Cheltenham Town visit Rodney Parade.

Cheltenham Town boss Gary Johnson says his team need be more ruthless in front of goal. Last season’s top scorers in the National League have netted seven goals from nine matches so far this term. Expect a tight encounter as these sides look to eek out an advantage and take all three points home with them.