The "R" word worries return as Town lose at Stanley

Accrington Stanley 3-1 Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, April 2nd 2011

Worried yet? Another weekend goes by, another defeat, another win for the accelerating Barnet under Martin Allen. Where’s the next win going to come from? More importantly, can we possibly do what the Bees did and win at Burton ion Tuesday night to start putting these doubts to bed.

Another frustrating and capitulating afternoon is the reason for these fresh concerns as Accrington tore us apart in a first half show that unfortunately mirrors past performances from this season. Michael Jacobs’ well taken free kick in the second 45 meant nothing more than consolation for the travelling fans that are starting to grow weary as an incredibly big game looms on Tuesday at The Pirelli Stadium in Burton.

That was the venue last season where it all went tits up for Stuart Gray as his side were three down by the break. Ian Sampson also lost his job after this season’s first meeting with the Brewers, again seeing his side drop three before any sort of response began.

It’s fair to assume that Gary Johnson won’t go the same way should we lose tomorrow but it’s beginning to look an ever desperate situation and the positive nature of the two previous draws just wasn’t matched in a poor showing at Accrington.

Stanley themselves are bombing towards the playoffs and with a seventh straight home win behind them they now face Southend at home on Tuesday night knowing that a win would lift them into the top seven and incredibly to within three points of the automatic promotion places. Ian Craney did most of the damage against the Cobblers by slotting in a rebound before getting a touch to Jimmy Ryan’s shot to double the advantage. Sean McConville completed the rout on 35 minutes and left us chasing another huge deficit but giving his side real hope of a promotion challenge.

Meanwhile, the Cobblers lick their wounds once more and what we would give now for any sort of result at Burton. It’s not just about the monkey on the back any more, not just about getting a win for winning’s sake. The future of the club is well and truly on the line and my finger nails won’t be able to take much more if that win doesn’t come at the Pirelli.

Elsewhere in League Two this weekend...

Steve Kabba was the man on the mark for Barnet as he hit four past his former side Burton to reignite the Bees’ hopes of avoiding the drop. Sam Winnall had given Albion the lead in the relegation six pointer but Kabba stunned them with an incredible performance after the break. Martin Allen will be relishing the challenge ahead of him and watching on for Tuesday’s action as the Cobblers travel to the Pirelli Stadium.

Meanwhile, Crewe were the team making all the headlines in League Two this weekend as they hit EIGHT past Cheltenham at Gresty Road. The win included hat-tricks for both Joel Grant and Clayton Donaldson with Ashley Westwood and Shaun Miller getting the others. Dario Gradi missed the game through illness but there’s nothing like eight goals to get the smile back on your face!

We won’t dwell on that too long just in case there’s some Cheltenham fans still lingering around the internet and trying to get some sort of reasoning back after that so we’ll move on to Chesterfield who are still eleven clear at the top after a 2-0 home win over Port Vale. The Spireites’ win, thanks to goals from Jack Lester and Deane Smalley, means that only a couple more wins will seal promotion.

Wycombe saw off Stockport, who look dead and buried now, to keep their promotion aspirations going. Lewis Montrose opened the scoring for the Chairboys before Scott Rendell netted from the spot. Meanwhile, Shrewsbury thumped Macclesfield 4-1 to stay third with substitute Lionel Ainsworth doing the damage with a brace.

Bury certainly didn’t let up either as they saw off Oxford 3-0 at Gigg Lane and they now face a crucial week in which they visit Sixfields and then play their one game in hand against Burton next Tuesday night. Stevenage still haven’t given up on the top three either and won for the sixth straight game, Bradford the victims this time around.

Torquay had keeper Scott Bevan to thank for a remarkable save with the game against Lincoln poised at 0-0 and the Gulls went on to win the game with a double assist from Craig Stanley to keep them in the running. Gillingham, meanwhile, lost ground after they were held at home by Hereford but the surprise of the day was Rotherham’s defeat at home to Morecambe as their bizarre couple of weeks went on.

Southend and Aldershot both stay in mid-table after a goalless draw at Roots Hall but the Shots came off better having completed an eighth game without defeat. Barry Corr nearly won it for the Shrimpers but his late effort hit the bar.