As the months go by, it’s looking nigh on inevitable that Doncaster Rovers will be playing in League One next season as they ended January a remarkable 16 points clear of fourth place.
Plymouth Argyle have stuttered slightly and Carlisle United’s recent slump won’t be helped by the sale of star striker Charlie Wyke to Bradford City.
The door is open for a very tight chasing pack.
At the other end, Newport County continue to struggle, although with Cheltenham Town being the only side in the bottom eight to record more than one win in January, they still cling to a chance of survival.
Leyton Orient’s managerial merry-go-round seems to be doing more harm than good, while Notts County will be hoping former O’s manager Kevin Nolan can guide them to safety.
Here is Shoot!’s League Two Player, Manager and Goal of the Month Awards for January…
It’s not hard to see why Ollie Watkins was linked with a move to the Championship during January – nor why Exeter were so keen to keep hold of him.
Alongside David Wheeler, he has been key to the Grecians’ turnaround in form, providing goals against both Grimsby Town and Wycombe Wanderers.
His most impressive display though came against Colchester United, when he provided all three assists in an impressive 3-0 win.
The 22-year-old’s control and passing are proving to be a massive asset at St James Park.
It’s hard to believe that Exeter fans unveiled a ‘Tisdale Out’ banner at Adams Park back in September.
Then again, Exeter City hardly set the world alight at the start of the campaign as they struggled and toiled near the bottom of the league.
All that has changed now and the Grecians enter February in the play-off places courtesy of a remarkable run, including five wins from five in January.
Built on a tight defence, just one goal conceded, they’ve recorded handsome victories over Leyton Orient, Grimsby and Colchester, as well as edging past Portsmouth at Fratton Park, before becoming the first team to beat Wycombe in League Two since October.
The play-offs may have been a pipe dream not long ago, for Tisdale and Exeter now though, they could potentially target the top three.
The 22-year-old forward salvaged a point for the hosts against promotion candidates Carlisle United with a spectacular set-piece – his only League Two goal of the season, so far.
Despite not getting on the scoresheet more often this term, McCartan’s free-kick is well worth January’s Goal of the Month Award.