League Two’s top-three clubs all won at the weekend, with the leaders Plymouth maintaining a five-point difference between themselves and Oxford United after they won 2-1 away to York, whose new boss Jackie McNamara experienced a debut defeat.
The Pilgrims dominated the match and should have scored more goals, but a header from Jake Jervis and Graham Carey’s effort earned them the three points.
Oxford’s 1-0 home win over Cambridge saw Shaun Derry lose his first game in charge of the away side, due to a first half goal from Ryan Taylor, which was his fourth in the last three fixtures.
Shaun Derry tasted defeat in his first game in charge of Cambridge.
Northampton climbed into the top-three after a hard fought 1-0 win over Mansfield; Marc Richards continued his good start to the campaign with his 10th goal of the season.
Strugglers Hartlepool picked up a rare three points after winning 3-1 against promotion-chasers Leyton Orient. The O’s started the game the better and even took the lead through Bradley Pritchard, but it wasn’t to be their day as a penalty from Kudus Oyenuga and Jake Gray’s spectacular brace saw the home side take the win.
Luke Rooney scored a sensational winner equaliser in stoppage-time to earn Crawley a point at Exeter City. The home side took the lead through Alex Nicholls, before Sonny Bradley managed to level the scores when he headed home a corner. The Grecians then retook the advantage as Tom Nichols thumped a 20-yard volley into the back of the net, before Rooney’s audacious effort made it 2-2 in stoppage time.
Meanwhile, Luton won for the third time in a row in all competitions by sealing a 2-0 win over Barnet. Danny Green’s stinging shot from the edge of the penalty area made it 1-0, and Town then doubled their lead after an hour played, when Cameron McGeehan rounded off a smart move. The Hatters move into 10th, whilst Barnet drop to 18th.
Bristol Rovers put their FA Cup defeat to Chesham United firmly behind them as they won 2-0 at home to Carlisle. Matty Taylor scored both goals for the hosts, with a simple tap-in to open the scoring, before following that up with an exquisite left-footed drive into the bottom corner.
Elsewhere, there were draws for Accrington who came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Newport, whilst Yeovil and Stevenage played out the same scoreline, meaning the former have now gone nine matches without a win in League Two.
Portsmouth missed the chance to climb up to third on Sunday afternoon as they drew 0-0 at home to AFC Wimbledon, in a scrappy game with few chances for either side.
Player of the Weekend: Jake Gray (Hartlepool United)
Team of the Weekend: Hartlepool United
Goal of the Weekend: Luke Rooney (Exeter City vs CRAWLEY)
WATCH: @luke_rooney's strike against Exeter City WITH Reds PlayerHD commentary from @barnacle1977! #CTFChttps://t.co/MqBPRPbOSk
— Crawley Town FC (@crawleytown) November 16, 2015