League Two Team of the Weekend

Goalkeeper - John Ruddy, Stockport County. The Hatters' keeper was one of just three to keep clean sheets over the weekend, and he gets the nod owing to the importance of a truly world class save against fellow promotion hunting Darlington as County picked up a precious three points to move just two points behind the Quakers.


Right-back - Gary Croft, Lincoln City. The Imps full-back had to contend with a positional change and performed at right-back as opposed to his usual left-back slot. But he did a fine job and put in a number of crucial blocks. Unfortunately it wasn't enough for his side who still went down 2-1 to MK Dons.


Centre-back - Phil Edwards, Accrington Stanley. The defender all but confirmed Stanley's League Two status for another year with a good display at both ends of the pitch. Scored the games only goal before superbly clearing a Daggers attack off the line.



Centre-back - Carl Regan, MK Dons. Regan started at right-back, where he worked his way up the pitch to notch the Dons' opening goal after just three minutes to set them on their way to a vital win. He then showed his versatility by moving inside when injury forced Sean O'Hanlon off, and he coped well with an aerial bombardment from Lincoln.


Left-back - Kevin Sandwith, Chester City. The left-back smashed home an unstoppable 25-yard drive to pull the struggling Blues back into their game at Hereford, and they went on to secure a final minute point after being 2-0 down. A fine strike, and he led them on their way to a vital point.



Right midfield - Glenn Poole, Brentford. Tore Rotherham to shreds, putting in a creative and hard working display on the Bees wing as his side picked up a fine away win that still leaves them in with a play-off chance.




Centre midfield - Stefan Oakes, Wycombe. The former Notts man crashed home a fine free-kick to put the hosts ahead against table-topping Peterborough, before almost repeating the feat three minutes later. It is the kind of goal Oakes made his speciality at Meadow Lane, and he oozed class all afternoon.



Left midfield - Matt Hamshaw, Mansfield Town. The wideman was easily the best player on the pitch at Field Mill, creating plenty of chances in Town's 2-2 draw with Barnet. He nearly scored early on, while his cross should have led to an opener for Jefferson Louis soon after. And he popped up with his own deserved goal to make it 2-0 with a classy lob after a similar attempt early on just missed.

Striker - Jamie Ward, Chesterfield. Hit another brace to continue his excellent recent goalscoring form. Was in great form as the Spirietes blitzed Shrewsbury 4-1. Wards opener was a fine strike, and he is looking irresistible at present.




Striker - Rene Howe, Rochdale. Netted a fine hat-trick for the Dale in a win which keeps them well inside the play-off positions. Unbelievably, Howe started on the bench before replacing the injured Lee Thorpe on 31 minutes and putting Dale 2-0 up on 55 with a brace. After Grimsby hit back, Howe notched a stoppage-time third to make sure and take the matchball.

Striker - Adam Rooney, Bury. Became the first player to net past Notts keeper Russell Hoult for four games, and looked impressive all afternoon. His strike set the Shakers on the way to another win, and he could have had more. Very lively.




Manager - Paul Fairclough, Barnet. An inspired triple substitution on 68 minutes, with the Bees 2-0 down at Mansfield saw them fight their way to a point. Fairclough threw on Jason Puncheon, Adam Birchall and Anthony Thomas and within two minutes Thomas had one back before Puncheon's free-kick hit a post and fell to Birchall for him to equalise.