Author: horse-racing-free-tips

Leyton Orient secured automatic promotion in the last minute but relegated Oxford to the Conference in the process. Eric Sabin gave Oxford the lead after 14 minutes but Clint Easton equalised two minutes later. Gary Alexander edged the O’s in front on 64 but again the lead didn’t last as Chris Wilmott levelled within two minutes. With the match heading for a draw, Lee Steele struck in injury time for 6/5 Orient to win them automatic promotion for the first time in 36 years.

Grimsby’s hopes of automatic promotion were shattered in the third minute of injury time as they were held to a draw by already-promoted Northampton. The Mariners needed to win or better the result of Leyton Orient to snatch the third automatic promotion place and looked good to do so when Jean-Paul Kalala converted a penalty after 75 minutes. But, with 20 seconds to go, Ryan Gilligan equalised to set up a 5/2 draw and consigned Grimsby to the play-offs.

Carlisle were confirmed as League Two champions and Stockport avoided relegation as both sides drew 0-0 at Edgley Park. County’s Adam Griffin and Carlisle’s Glenn Murray both could have won it for either side but punter’s who foresaw a draw at 12/5 will have been smiling at full-time.

Torquay earned the point they needed to avoid the drop with a goalless draw against Boston. A game of few chances for either side ended as a 5/2 stalemate but preserved the Seagull’s league status.

Cheltenham prepared for their play-off clash with Wycombe by smashing five past Mansfield at Field Mill. Steve Gillespie opened the scoring after 34 minutes and Ashley Vincent struck a second on the stroke of half time. Grant McCann scored on 50, David Bird converted a penalty on 81 and Kayode Odejayi completed the rout four minutes later to make a mockery of the 9/5 odds on offer.

Inconsistent Wycombe ended Peterborough’s hopes of sneaking into the play-offs with a 2-0 win at London Road. Jermaine Easter broke the deadlock after 15 minutes and Mike Williamson made sure with five minutes left for the 3/1 Chairboys.

Lincoln clinched a play-off place for the fourth consecutive season after a 1-1 draw with Rochdale. Gareth McAuley gave the Imps the lead after 72 minutes but Rickie Lambert equalised two minute from time to set up a 14/5 draw.

Darlington missed out on the play-offs following their 1-1 draw with Wrexham. Danny Williams gave the Welshmen the lead after 31 minutes but Andy Cooke struck the 12/5 equaliser in stoppage time.

Carlisle became the first team in League Two to secure promotion following their 1-1 draw at Mansfield. The Stags looked to have delayed the promotion party when top goal scorer Ritchie Barker netted after 63 minutes but the Cumbrians levelled in the 92nd minute through their leading marksman Karl Hawley. The draw, available at 12/5 before kick-off, secured Paul Simpson’s side their second successive promotion.

Two goals in three second-half minutes kept Northampton in second place after a 3-1 win at Oxford. Chris Doig opened the scoring for the 13/10 Cobblers after 17 minutes while Martin Smith on 69 and Josh Low on 71 sealed a sixth win in seven matches. Defender Chris Willmott scored a consolation for United four minutes later.

Grimsby kept their hopes of automatic promotion alive with a 1-0 win over play-off chasers Cheltenham. Gary Jones scored the decisive goal for the 5/6 Mariners after 69 minutes.

Leyton Orient remained on the fringes of automatic promotion after being held 1-1 by fellow play-off hopefuls Lincoln. John Mackie gave Orient a dream start after two minutes but Jamie Forrester levelled on 36 for the match to end all square at 9/4.

Wycombe ended a run of six straight defeats with an emphatic 3-1 win at Rushden & Diamonds, putting Barry Hunter’s side on the brink of relegation. Marcus Kelly gave Diamonds the lead after 24 minutes but two goals in three minutes for Tommy Mooney on 62 and Roger Johnson 65 and a Mooney penalty two minutes from time saw a much-needed 2/1 for the Chairboys.

Torquay remain in the bottom two but have given themselves a fighting chance of survival after a 1-0 defeat of Wrexham. Martin Phillips netted the winner for the 7/5 Seagulls after nine minutes.

Stockport edged closer to safety by beating Shrewsbury 3-1 at Edgley Park. Jamie Ward broke the deadlock for the 13/10 Hatters nine minutes before the break and Kevin O’Connor double the advantage on 54. Glynn Hurst pulled one back for the Shrews 10 minutes later but a Mark Robinson penalty six minutes from the end ensured a precious home win.

Caretaker coach Steve Bleasdale quit his post at Peterborough just an hour before Posh ran out 3-2 winners against Macclesfield. John Miles gave the Silkmen the lead after 62 minutes, but Posh, under Barry Fry and Andy Legg, equalised through Danny Crow on 71 and took the lead through David Farrell on 83. Miles netted his second a minute from time to draw Brian Horton’s side level but Crow struck a last gasp 8/11 winner.