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League Two round-up: Northampton march on with thrashing of Leyton Orient

Northampton players celebrate one of James Collins' goals as they stayed top of League Two by thrashing Leyton Orient
Image: Northampton players celebrate one of James Collins' goals as they stayed top of League Two by thrashing Leyton Orient

Northampton claimed a club-record seventh straight League Two win by thrashing Leyton Orient 4-0 away from home.

The Cobblers move five points clear at the top of the division, still with a game in hand, after it took some 54 minutes for the opening goal to come at Brisbane Road.

Defender Rod McDonald's overhead kick put Northampton in front before they made it 2-0 in equally stunning fashion with Ricky Holmes' lashed, first-time volley beating Alex Cisak, and then James Collins scored twice in the last six minutes.

Northampton's win was made evermore crucial by second-placed Plymouth cruising to a 3-0 victory against fellow promotion chasers Mansfield Town. Argyle took the lead in the 33rd minute when Gregg Wylde's 25-yard effort crept in before Ryan Brunt confidently stroked home a penalty and added a third late on.

Third-place Oxford also kept up the pressure on the leaders with a 4-2 win at 10-man Morecambe, who had Shaun Miller sent off on 70 minutes with the game poised at 1-1. John Lundstram, Danny Hylton and Jordan Bowery added the rest to ensure Tom Barkhuizen's stoppage-time goal was a consolation.

Portsmouth moved into the play-off places with a 3-1 win against Bristol Rovers; Gareth Evans, Michael Smith and Marc McNulty the Pompey scorers, with Lee Brown pulling one back at the death.

PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Marc McNulty of Portsmouth scores their third during the Sky Bet League Two match between Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers
Image: Marc McNulty scores in Portsmouth's 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers

Accrington earned a thumping 4-1 win against Crawley in a game in which three players were dismissed. Crawley took the lead through Gwion Edwards but Accrington went level early in the second half through Billy Kee.

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Stanley were reduced to nine men when Shay McCarten produced a poor tackle and then Simon Walton followed for his part in an ensuing scuffle, and then Accrington substitute Jason Mooney was sent-off from the bench.

At the bottom of the League Two, York held on for a vital 2-1 win over Notts County, with Michael Coulson and Bradley Fewster scoring, while Craig Hignett's first game in charge of Hartlepool ended in a 2-1 win against Yeovil.

Byron Harrison enjoyed his return to Stevenage as the striker, on loan from Chesterfield, scored both goals in a 2-0 win against Cambridge.

Lyle Taylor scored twice for AFC Wimbledon as they roared to a 4-1 win at home to Luton, while Stephen McGinn curled home his first goal for Wycombe to earn them a 1-0 win against Exeter.

Scott Boden scored the only goal as Newport claimed a 1-0 win against Carlisle in an early kick-off at Rodney Parade.

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