Sky Bet League Two continues to provide the entertainment as we pass the 30-game stage.
Lincoln City remain top of the table, but Mansfield Town’s recent great form, alongside good results for Bury, has made the title race very interesting. The Stags have earned 13 points from their last possible 15, which puts them in a good place as they travel to Newport County. County were at it again in the FA Cup in midweek as they beat Championship opponents Middlesbrough 2-0. That means they have been rewarded with a visit by current Premier League champions Manchester City.
Bury duo Ryan Lowe and Jay O’Shea won both the Player and Manager of the Month awards in the same month for the second time this season following a strong January. The Shakers sit in third in the standings. The ‘curse’ that sometimes comes with these monthly awards wasn’t present in December, and they’ll be hopeful that is the same when they travel to take on a Morecambe side who are battling relegation.
Lincoln City, meanwhile, welcome Northampton Town to Sincil Bank. Town will be the outsiders here, but they have demonstrated their ability to pick up points on the road at various points this season. The Imps remain favourites for the title though and will be looking to continue their unbeaten run as we approach the final run-in.
Joining the likes of Bury and Mansfield at the top of the form charts is Carlisle United, who have continued to gain results despite a managerial change. They’re involved in arguably the highlight of the League Two weekend when they take on Exeter City, who sit two places below them. Carlisle have earned 12 points from their last five games, while Exeter have ten during that time. That sets this up to be a game that could go either way.
One side who were in the running at the top but have dropped off slightly is MK Dons. Paul Tisdale’s side are still in the play-offs though and will be looking to close the gap on the automatic spots when they welcome Swindon Town. Town have been strong away from home though, winning their last two on the road and drawing the other two before that.
Forest Green Rovers, boosted by the return of the prolific Christian Doidge in January, can move level on points with third if they can beat Notts County. Things haven’t really got going for pre-season title favourites County this season and they now sit seven points adrift of safety. We know though that anything can happen in this league.
Macclesfield Town, who have seen their results improve under Sol Campbell’s guidance, come up against an in-form Crewe Alexandra side. David Artell’s men have earned ten points from their last possible 15 and sit comfortably in upper mid-table. A win for Macclesfield though could move them out of the relegation positions.
Two sides sitting next to each other in the table are Port Vale and Cambridge United. The two meet this weekend and victory will push them well away from immediate relegation trouble. Cambridge have enjoyed some good results in recent weeks though, a narrow defeat away at Exeter ending a run of three consecutive wins.
Colchester United will be hoping for a slip-up from one of those sides in the play-offs, and Carlisle’s meeting with Exeter means that they can move into the top-seven with victory over Cheltenham Town. Town have won their last two though so will prove to be difficult opposition for a side who have experience mixed results in past weeks.
Elsewhere, Stevenage and Tranmere Rovers both hold play-off aspirations and victory will go a long way in their hopes of reaching the top-seven. Rovers, despite losing their last three at home, still have a good record in front of their own supporters. Stevenage’s away results have been picking up though which sets this up to be an intriguing game.
Grimsby Town have won their last two, and they’ll be hoping they can build on that as they aim for a late play-off push. Yeovil Town are next up for Michael Jolley’s side. Both have seen the same points return in their last five games.
Elsewhere, Crawley Town take on Oldham Athletic with both looking to move up the table. Oldham’s form has been good in previous weeks, although Town have earned four points in their last two games.
