Lincoln City 3–1 Stockport County

🏟️ LNER Stadium |

Lincoln City set a remarkable new club record of 20 league games unbeaten with a hard-fought 3–1 win over title rivals Stockport. Jack Moylan struck early to put the Imps ahead but former loanee Jack Diamond headed an equaliser in the 68th minute — the first goal Lincoln had conceded in over 520 minutes. The Imps responded emphatically, with Tendayi Darikwa’s deflected effort in the 88th minute restoring the lead before substitute Alfie Lloyd drove home in stoppage time to seal it. George Wickens had earlier made a brilliant one-handed save to deny Kyle Wootton’s bullet header.

⚽ Goals: Moylan (11′), Darikwa (88′), Lloyd (90+’) | Stockport: Diamond (68′)

Key Moment: Darikwa’s deflected winner after Stockport looked to have earned a point — the Imps’ resilience summed up in one moment.

What It Means: Lincoln remain the clear title favourites, now four points ahead of Cardiff having extended their extraordinary unbeaten run to a new club record.

Rotherham United 2–2 Bolton Wanderers

🏟️ AESSEAL New York Stadium |

A damaging result for Rotherham, who let a commanding 2–0 lead slip against Bolton. Sam Nombe scored twice in three minutes — tucking in from a Joe Powell cross on 39 minutes and lashing home from Ar’Jany Martha’s assist in the 42nd — to put the Millers in total control. But Bolton, extending their unbeaten streak to 12 games, refused to buckle. Chris Forino poked in from close range after a corner on 51 minutes, and Sam Dalby nodded in from Johnny Kenny’s cross in the 83rd minute to complete the comeback. A 60-year wait for a Rotherham win against Bolton goes on.

⚽ Goals: Nombe (39′, 42′) | Bolton: Forino (51′), Dalby (83′)

Key Moment: Dalby’s 83rd-minute equaliser — Rotherham’s inability to close out from 2–0 up is a potentially season-defining failure.

What It Means: Rotherham remain in severe relegation danger. Two points dropped from a winning position at home, with the gap to safety widening as Orient and Wigan both won.

Doncaster Rovers 2–1 Blackpool

🏟️ Eco-Power Stadium |

Captain Owen Bailey headed home his 15th goal of the season from Robbie Gotts’ delivery on 29 minutes to give Doncaster the lead in a scrappy but effective home win. Blackpool’s Josh Bowler rattled the upright but the Seasiders struggled to break Rovers down consistently. Substitute Hakeeb Adelakun made it 2–0 with an angled drive in the 82nd minute, before Ashley Fletcher flicked home a late consolation. Blackpool were then reduced to ten men when Fraser Horsfall received a second yellow card, ending any hope of a comeback.

⚽ Goals: Bailey (29′), Adelakun (82′) | Blackpool: Fletcher (88′)

Key Moment: Adelakun’s second goal effectively killing the game before Fletcher’s consolation made it appear tighter than it was.

What It Means: Doncaster pick up a useful three points in mid-table. Blackpool, despite Fletcher’s 14-goal season, lack the defensive solidity to mount a sustained push.

Exeter City 0–4 Cardiff City

🏟️ St James Park |

Cardiff City were simply ruthless at a ground where Exeter boss Matt Taylor had called on his players pre-match to shed their “soft” tag. Rubin Colwill answered with two goals in three minutes — lashing in his opener from a standing start before heading in his second, a rare headed goal for the Wales international. Alex Robertson added a superb finish from outside the box before making way for David Turnbull on 71 minutes, and Callum Robinson guided in a fourth from close range to complete a comprehensive display. Sonny Cox rattled the woodwork for the hosts but it was a mere footnote in a dominant Cardiff afternoon.

⚽ Goals: Cardiff: Colwill (2), Robertson, Robinson | Exeter: none

Key Moment: Colwill’s double in three first-half minutes setting the tone for a one-sided afternoon that left Exeter four points above the relegation zone.

What It Means: Cardiff are firmly in the automatic promotion race — four points behind Lincoln and 11 clear of Bolton in third. Exeter’s fragility in big moments remains a serious concern.

Mansfield Town 2–2 Barnsley

🏟️ One Call Stadium |

A thrilling comeback from Mansfield, who fought back from 2–0 down to earn a point in stoppage time. David McGoldrick gave Barnsley the lead in the 19th minute with a composed low finish, and Scott Banks doubled the advantage on 52 minutes with a powerful shot that squirmed through keeper Liam Roberts. Mansfield pulled one back through Lucas Akins’ penalty after substitute Nathan Moriah-Welsh was fouled seconds after coming on, before Stephen McLaughlin drilled home a superb 12-yard finish four minutes into added time to complete a remarkable turnaround.

⚽ Goals: Akins pen, McLaughlin (90+4′) | Barnsley: McGoldrick (19′), Banks (52′)

Key Moment: McLaughlin’s stoppage-time equaliser — Mansfield had previously won all three meetings since promotion and showed that same fighting spirit here.

What It Means: A point each in a dramatic encounter. Both sides remain in the mid-table cluster with little to play for beyond pride and momentum.

Northampton Town 0–2 Burton Albion

🏟️ Sixfields Stadium |

Northampton’s wretched form continued as caretaker Colin Calderwood — taking charge for the first time following Kevin Nolan’s sacking — watched his side fall to another damaging defeat. Jake Beesley put Burton ahead in the 32nd minute, scoring at the second attempt after Brad Collins had kept out his first effort. Cameron McGeehan hit the post for Northampton just before half-time, but the hosts never created anything clear-cut in a tepid second half. Kyran Lofthouse’s composed volley a minute from time settled it for the Brewers, who maintain a five-point buffer above the drop zone.

⚽ Goals: Burton: Beesley (32′), Lofthouse (89′)

Key Moment: McGeehan’s post — the closest Northampton came, and it summed up a side starved of confidence and ideas going forward.

What It Means: Northampton are now six points from safety with nine games to go. The task is rapidly becoming enormous. Burton are comfortable.

Port Vale 0–0 Huddersfield Town

🏟️ Vale Park |

A low-quality draw that served neither side well. Huddersfield went close on 18 minutes when Marcus Harness’ ball across goal almost deflected in off Liam Gordon, and Port Vale hit the crossbar from Josh Feeney’s header in first-half stoppage time. But that was largely the sum of the attacking endeavour, with both defences comfortably containing limited threats throughout a drab second half. It was Huddersfield’s fourth straight away game without scoring. The result leaves Port Vale with a 13-point gap to safety — their League Two fate looking increasingly sealed.

⚽ Goals: None

Key Moment: Feeney’s header striking the crossbar — the closest either side came in a match that deserved better from both sets of players.

What It Means: Huddersfield overtake Stockport on goal difference but County have two games in hand. Port Vale’s return to League Two looks a near certainty.

Reading 2–2 Plymouth Argyle

🏟️ Select Car Leasing Stadium |

Reading twice led and twice were pegged back by Plymouth in an entertaining encounter between two play-off hopefuls. Randell Williams opened the scoring in the 3rd minute when his intended cross drifted in, Alex Mitchell levelled with a volleyed corner on 6 minutes, Paudie O’Connor bundled Reading back ahead from a corner on 18 minutes, and Caleb Watts notched his seventh of the season from close range on 67 minutes to restore parity. Late on, Luca Ashby-Hammond saved well to deny Kamari Doyle and Lane drove the rebound wide.

⚽ Goals: Williams (3′), O’Connor (18′) | Plymouth: Mitchell (6′), Watts (67′)

Key Moment: Watts’ leveller cancelling out Reading’s second-half advantage and denying them a win that would have boosted their play-off push significantly.

What It Means: A point each in a back-and-forth contest. Both sides will feel they should have won — neither can really afford draws in the play-off race.

Stevenage 1–0 AFC Wimbledon

🏟️ Lamex Stadium |

Stevenage climbed back into the play-off places with a disciplined 1–0 win, Jamie Reid claiming his fourth goal in five matches. A foul on skipper Carl Piergianni gave Boro a penalty — Reid sending Joe McDonnell the wrong way in the 10th minute for the only goal. Wimbledon’s Matt Stevens had the best of the visitors’ efforts, a firm header that flew off target. McDonnell was the busier of the two keepers throughout the second half, producing a good stop from a Kemp effort, as Stevenage comfortably protected their lead.

⚽ Goals: Reid pen (10′)

Key Moment: Reid’s penalty giving Stevenage the early platform to control the match and see it through.

What It Means: Stevenage jump to fifth on the back of Reid’s prolific run. AFC Wimbledon’s play-off hopes take a blow — and they now face Leyton Orient on Tuesday.

Wigan Athletic 2–0 Bradford City

🏟️ Brick Community Stadium |

A result with massive implications at both ends of the table. Caylan Vickers, making his first start since joining on loan from Brighton in January, opened the scoring in the 20th minute following good work from Fraser Murray. Bradford sent on former Wigan men Stephen Humphrys and Paul Mullin at half-time and the pair almost combined immediately, but Mullin couldn’t get a touch on Humphrys’ clever flick. Wigan punished that escape when on-loan Huddersfield forward Joe Taylor raced almost the full length of the field before rifling into the bottom corner 12 minutes from time to seal it.

⚽ Goals: Vickers (20′), Taylor (78′)

Key Moment: Taylor’s individual effort — a counter-attacking goal of real quality that killed Bradford’s hopes of a comeback.

What It Means: Wigan move three points clear of the relegation zone under Gary Caldwell. Fourth-placed Bradford lose ground in their play-off pursuit.

Wycombe Wanderers 1–2 Luton Town

🏟️ Adams Park |

Luton secured their first League One away win since November to continue their survival push under Jack Wilshere. Wycombe dominated the early stages — Liam Harris forcing a stop inside 60 seconds — but the Hatters took control mid-game. Kal Naismith headed in from a Liam Walsh corner for 1–0, then George Saville’s corner was headed in by Kasey Palmer to double the lead before half-time. Wycombe’s Junior Quitirna pulled one back with a tidy finish seven minutes into second-half stoppage time, but Luton held on for a first away win in six league games. Notably, Wycombe have never beaten Luton at Adams Park in any competition across 16 games.

⚽ Goals: Luton: Naismith, Palmer (39′) | Wycombe: Quitirna (90+7′)

Key Moment: Palmer’s header extending the lead before half-time — Luton’s two-goal cushion proved just enough to withstand Wycombe’s late pressure.

What It Means: A precious away win for Luton in their survival battle. Wycombe, comfortable in mid-table, suffer a frustrating afternoon.

⭐ Leyton Orient 2–1 Peterborough United (Featured — Leyton Orient)

🏟️ BetWright Stadium |

Leyton Orient secured their first consecutive league victories of the season in a tense but ultimately deserved 2–1 win over Peterborough. Richie Wellens made two changes from the midweek win at Stevenage, bringing Dylan Levitt and Will Forrester back into the starting eleven as Orient returned to a back four. Peterborough started the brighter, with Kyrell Lisbie’s shot blocked inside two minutes, but Orient soon settled and created chances of their own — Charlie Wellens drawing a save from Alex Bass, and Tom James heading over from a Dom Ballard delivery. The hosts went in front a minute before the break when captain Jack Simpson prodded a Charlie Wellens cross in from close range. After the interval, Peterborough were unable to create anything meaningful despite a possession advantage, and the game was settled when Theo Archibald burst from deep in his own half and squared for substitute Tyreeq Bakinson, who rifled home into the high centre of the goal with nine minutes remaining. Jimmy-Jay Morgan’s immediate header from Archie Collins’ cross — via the top corner — made for a nervy finale, but Orient shut up shop to take all three points.

⚽ Goals: Simpson (44′), Bakinson (81′) | Peterborough: Morgan (85′)

Key Moment: Archibald’s driving counter-attacking run from his own half, setting up Bakinson’s decisive second. The combination of two substitutes proving decisive encapsulated the growing impact of Orient’s bench under Wellens.

📖 Read our full match report here

⭐ Player of the Week: Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City)

Two goals in three first-half minutes at Exeter set Cardiff on their way to their most emphatic victory of the season. Colwill lashed in his opener from a standing start and added a rare headed goal to effectively kill the contest before half-time. It was a performance that underlined Cardiff’s credentials as genuine automatic promotion contenders — and a reminder that Colwill, when on form, is one of the most technically gifted players in League One.

🎯 Goal of the Week

Tyreeq Bakinson (Leyton Orient) vs Peterborough United — A clinical right-footed finish into the top centre of the goal after Theo Archibald’s extraordinary counter-attacking run from deep in Orient territory. The move covered nearly the full length of the pitch and the finish was emphatic.

⚽ League One Top Scorers

What This Gameweek Means for Leyton Orient

Result: Won 2–1 at home vs Peterborough United — first back-to-back victories of the 2025–26 season

League Position: 19th (up 1 from 20th)

Points: 42 from 36 games

Form (last 5): W L L W W

Orient went into this fixture having climbed out of the bottom four for the first time in weeks after Tuesday’s comeback win at Stevenage. Saturday’s victory over Peterborough — a side with a 14-4-18 record coming in — is categorically the more significant result. It represents their first back-to-back wins of the entire season, earned against quality opposition on a day when results elsewhere were almost perfectly timed. Northampton lost at home to Burton, Rotherham dropped two points from 2–0 up, and Wigan won — all of which contributed to opening up a four-point gap to the drop zone. With nine games remaining, Orient are not safe by any means, but for the first time this season there is genuine momentum and something to build on.

📚 Five Things We Learned

1. Orient’s bench is now a genuine weapon. Wellens can’t rotate heavily — he admitted he wanted to take Ballard off early but couldn’t — yet Bakinson and Archibald have combined to change games in back-to-back matches. That’s a significant tactical asset in the run-in.
2. Set-pieces remain the main vulnerability. Wellens said he was “disappointed” with conceding from a set-play despite the win. Morgan’s header via an Archie Collins cross is exactly the kind of goal Orient cannot afford to keep shipping — particularly with games coming thick and fast.
3. Dom Ballard’s form is Orient’s season distilled. The division’s top scorer with 18 goals, Ballard’s ability to create space for others — as he did for Simpson’s opener — is as valuable as his goals. Keeping him fit and on the pitch for the final nine games is the single most important factor in Orient’s survival bid.
4. Lincoln look like champions-elect. A new club record of 20 unbeaten in the league, a four-point lead at the top, and the quality to come from behind and win late against the division’s second-best side. Barring a collapse, the title is theirs.
5. Rotherham’s dropped points could be fatal. Blowing a 2–0 lead at home to Bolton in a relegation six-pointer is the kind of result that haunts you at the end of the season. With Orient, Wigan and Burton all winning on the same day, the Millers look increasingly isolated.

👀 Key Fixtures Next Week (Tuesday 17 March)

• AFC Wimbledon vs Leyton Orient (7:45pm) — Immediate opportunity to extend the gap to six points. Wimbledon are dangerous — Marcus Browne’s 12 goals make them a constant threat — but Orient go in with real momentum.
• Peterborough United vs Rotherham United (7:45pm) — A massive relegation clash. Posh want to avoid being dragged into trouble; Rotherham are running out of games to save themselves. Win for Rotherham or bust.
• Stockport County vs Northampton Town (7:45pm) — Stockport need a response after their Lincoln defeat. For Northampton, every game is now a survival mission.
• Huddersfield Town vs Lincoln City (7:45pm) — Can anyone stop the Imps? Liam Manning’s Huddersfield will fancy their chances at home but Lincoln haven’t lost in 20.
• Luton Town vs Exeter City (7:45pm) — Both sides needing points for contrasting reasons. Luton on the rise under Wilshere; Exeter worryingly fragile.

Leyton Orient’s Upcoming Fixtures