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Around the Division ———— LEAGUE TWO ROUND-UP ———— OWEN MIZON TAKES HIS LATEST LOOK ACROSS LEAGUE TWO As we embark on the tail end of a season like no other, who will write themselves in folklore and produce pandemonium for their clubs? As ever, let’s digest the trials and tribulations of Sky Bet League Two. League leaders Cambridge United are on the cusp of promotion after securing an invaluable 2-4 win against Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road. A brace from Joe Ironside, as well as strikes from Paul Mullin and Shilow Tracey, ensured that Mark Bonner’s side will be celebrating a return to the third tier of English football for the first time since 2002 should they record victory today. Despite losing just twice in their last 11, the O’s play-off hopes are now faint. Jobi McAnuff’s men are 10th and four points from the top seven. An exquisite George Lloyd finish helped Cheltenham Town narrowly edge out Stevenage 0-1 at the Lamex Stadium to keep their title aspirations on track. The Robins sit in 2nd and have a three-point cushion from 4th with a crucial game in hand. Where today’s opponents are concerned, they’ve recorded three consecutive defeats and slip to 16th, but will no doubt be adamant to return to winning ways and spoil United’s party this afternoon. Bolton Wanderers also boasted their promotion credentials and remain in the final automatic promotion spot after overcoming Carlisle United 1-0 thanks to Eoin Doyle’s 18th goal of the season. Now winless in four, the Cumbrians’ playoff possibilities have crumbled. They’ve fell to 11th and need to make up five points from their final four. Hot on the Trotters’ heels are Morecambe, who are a place and point behind in 4th after recording a comprehensive 0-3 win over basement side Grimsby Town. Quickfire strikes from Cole Stockton and Yann Songo’o put the Shrimps in the driving seat, before a late Luke Waterfall own goal sealed the points. It sets the stage for a season-defining 90 minutes at the
Globe Arena today, where Derek Adams’ men do battle with Ian Evatt’s Bolton in the hunt for 3rd. Contrasting emotions for the Mariners, who are nine points adrift and face the most mammoth of tasks. A return to the National League looms. Tranmere Rovers ended their run of seven matches without a win by gaining a significant 0-1 success over Bradford City at Valley Parade. A Paudie O’Connor own goal on the stroke of half time was enough to keep Rovers in 5th, four points behind 3rd. Three defeats on the bounce for the Bantams has all but ended their outside play-off hopes, they’re now situated in 13th. Play-off rivals Forest Green Rovers and Exeter City shared the spoils in a battling stalemate at the New Lawn. After enjoying formidable starts to the campaign, both sides have seemed to lost the spark with inconsistency hitting at the wrong time. The hosts are congregated in 6th after winning just the solitary game in eight, whereas the Grecians have won two in ten and have ground to make up in 8th. Newport County occupy the final play-off spot after they saw off ten-man Crawley Town 2-0 at Rodney Parade, their first win in four. Liam Shephard drew first blood for the Exiles on 52, before Aaron Lewis made sure of the points in the 100th minute. Despite leaving South Wales empty-handed, the Red Devils are a satisfactory 12th. Goals in each half from Ian Henderson and Jordan Turnbull helped maintain Salford City’s top seven pursuit as they claimed a 0-2 win at Walsall. Allocated in 9th, the Ammies will require a winning run in their remaining four games if they want to claw back the current three-point gap. Safety is now secured for Brian Dutton’s side, who are a lowly 19th. Port Vale are the form side in the division after a Tom Conlon brace helped breeze the Valiants to a 0-2 win against Barrow. The only club in the top four divisions to have beaten all 91 fellow teams, CAMBRIDGE UNITED F.C. V STEVENAGE FC