Jake Young has outgunned Erling Haaland this season after proving his worth.

The striker – on loan at Swindon from Bradford – has 16 goals in 20 games and is the top league scorer in England.

Young is two ahead of the Manchester City goal machine after netting again in Tuesday’s 4-3 win at Accrington.

Seven goals in his last six games have fired the Robins to within a point of the Sky Bet League Two play-offs, with Young having also smashed in four against Crawley in August.

It has left the 22-year-old top of the pile and taking the extra attention in his stride.

“It’s not something I think about on the pitch but when I get off and I’ve scored another one I’ll have a little look. I’m sure Haaland isn’t looking if I’ve scored for Swindon though,” Young told the PA news agency.

“I normally look at the League Two ones first but since Haaland’s been mentioned I’ve had 10 to 20 people sending me screenshots (of the goal table).

“I think there was something on Twitter the other day and I had a lot of people sending me that one – but it’s not counting my Champions League goals!

“It’s nice but for me it’s not a shock. I know I’m capable of this. It’s definitely something I feel like I’ve worked for.

“Without trying to sound arrogant, I know I can score and play at this level. I’ve just wanted the opportunity to prove it.”

Young’s time has come after a frustrating and lonely initial spell at Bradford under Mark Hughes.

The Robins looked at a permanent deal in the summer but he could now be recalled by the Bantams in January.

It would be a dramatic return after being dumped by former boss Hughes, who was sacked in October, training with the kids, loaned to Barrow and not even joining the first team squad for the summer’s pre-season trip to Spain.

Having signed a four-year deal after joining from Forest Green in 2022 Young was frozen out despite scoring twice in three league starts.

“It was mainly one man’s opinion and that’s fine, that’s football. My view was he’s got me there, give me an opportunity to improve. That’s all I was looking for,” said the former Sheffield United youngster, who won League Two with Forest Green under Rob Edwards.

“I wasn’t looking to play every minute but when I’d been on the pitch I’d shown I could affect games to at least be an option off the bench.

“I just wanted to learn and improve and I didn’t really think I got the opportunity but football’s about opinions.

“I was 21 and to be deemed not good enough three months into a four-year deal was tough, especially when it’s somewhere I wanted to be.

“It something you’ve always wanted to do and when you find yourself not enjoying it anymore that’s the hardest part.

“It’s something I’ve learned from and I won’t take these spells I’m in now for granted because I know how hard I’ve worked physically and mentally to get here

“It’s not necessarily about proving people wrong but more proving myself right that I belong at this level and higher. This is the player I know I am.”

Pete Wild believes his side’s hard work is paying off after Barrow moved into the Sky Bet League Two promotion places with a comfortable 2-0 win over Walsall at Holker Street.

Goals from Ben Whitfield and Niall Canavan secured all three points as the Bluebirds extended their record unbeaten league run to 10 games.

Whitfield put the home side ahead after 11 minutes, controlling Canavan’s long range pass before placing the ball perfectly into the far corner from the edge of the area.

The Bluebirds got the second they deserved with 19 minutes remaining when skipper Canavan pounced to force the ball home from close range for his second of the season, after George Ray’s initial effort was blocked.

Barrow have now registered five consecutive league wins for the first time since the 1967-68 season and moved up to third in the table.

Wild said: “Winning games breeds confidence and the more you win the more confident you get.

“I’m really pleased for the players and staff and everyone is really working hard this season and that’s paying off in terms of results.

“Good seasons are built on good runs and consistency, so the longer we can keep this run going the better for everyone at the club.”

“I thought it was a really solid front footed performance tonight. They say this is a tough place to come and I wanted it to be just that tonight.

“The way we started the game and the energy we played with was really pleasing and we got our first goal from being positive and getting at Walsall from the start of the game.

“I thought the way Walsall would play would give us space between the lines so I thought it would be an interesting one for Ben Whitfield to start and it paid off for us.”

Walsall are now six matches without a win and manager Mat Sadler said: “It was a tough watch for anyone who was at the game.

“We went into the game knowing how poor the pitch was and we highlighted how poor the pitch was and it suited the way they play as they play here every week, how they get goals, how they create chances.

“They get it in the areas and create chances from the wide areas which is what they did and we didn’t do that nearly enough for the ability we’ve got in our team.

“So we’re extremely disappointed to let them get their noses in front on a turgid pitch and we didn’t get anything near good enough going for the standards we set ourselves.

“We dropped well below the standards that we set ourselves tonight but we will put it right.”

Grant McCann will focus on ensuring his messages are getting through to his Doncaster players loud and clear after being left frustrated with aspects of their performance in the win over Colchester.

A Tom Smith own goal and efforts from Mo Faal and Joe Ironside saw Rovers to a 3-1 triumph.

While pleased with the result, McCann felt his side did not heed his instructions to push for more goals after each occasion when they found the net.

“We got the first goal and then we just sat back a bit again,” he said. “It’s something we need to get to the bottom of.

“I spoke to the group and said if it’s something I’ve said, I’d hold my hands up but doing that is not something that’s coming out of my mouth.

“After the first goal, we let Colchester come on to us for a five minute spell and Joe Taylor nearly scored before he actually got the equaliser.

“We made it hard for ourselves but I said to the lads at half-time that if we score the next one, we have to keep going and get more. You have to keep the foot down but we sat off again and Colchester had chances.

“It’s not too much of a dig at the lads because on the whole I thought we were good and it’s a good response to losing in the last minute at Crewe.

“But I just want the lads to understand me better. They have to push themselves up the pitch because we speak about it all the time – scoring and scoring again.”

Joe Taylor netted an equaliser for Colchester before the break but the visitors offered little in the way of real threat in the second half.

Head coach Matt Etherington was bitterly disappointed with United’s performance.

He said: “It wasn’t good enough in the second half and it was probably the worst 45 minutes of football since I’ve come into the role.

“It’s really disappointing. The players kept going until the end and had a couple of chances but we didn’t deserve to win it with that second-half performance.

“Two set-pieces again – players not picking their man up from the second phase. Ultimately those two set-pieces have cost us the game.

“You’re always facing an uphill battle when you’re conceding goals from set-pieces on a regular basis so it’s something that we’re addressing. It’s obviously still not getting addressed properly because we’re conceding goals and we’ll have to have a word about that and a look at the set-up.

“The set-up hasn’t changed throughout the season and it was good early on. Teams will notice that we’re susceptible to set-pieces and we need to do something about it.”

Newport boss Graham Coughlan praised his side’s grit and determination as they came from behind to take the three points at Morecambe.

On what proved to be a disappointing first night for new Shrimps boss Ged Brannan, goals from Will Evans and Seb Palmer-Houlden either side of the break earned the Exiles a comeback win after Michael Mellon had given the home side an early lead.

Coughlan said: “That was a brilliant performance from our lads.

“You saw a different side to us tonight. It wasn’t glitzy or glamorous and it wasn’t tippy-tappy, it was sheer character, grit and determination and that’s what you have to do in this league.

“Against West Ham a few weeks ago we made 550 passes and didn’t win the game. We didn’t have too many passes tonight but we won the match and that is what football is all about.”

Mellon gave Morecambe the lead on 12 minutes with a fine turn and shot from the edge of the area that squeezed into the bottom right corner of Nick Townsend’s goal.

After a sluggish start the visitors hit back on 29 minutes when the home defence failed to clear a corner and Evans hammered home the rebound.

JJ McKiernan hit the crossbar with a close-range header for the home side on 44 minutes and Adam Mayor was within inches of sliding home a Tom Bloxham cross two minutes into the second half but it was the Exiles who went ahead on 57 minutes.

Morecambe keeper Adam Smith and midfielder Eli King failed to deal with a bouncing ball in the Morecambe box and Palmer-Houlden took advantage of the gift to score from close range.

Mellon forced Townsend into a late save with a shot from 12 yards but the visitors held on to make it two wins from two.

Shrimps boss Brannan said: “I’m disappointed with the result obviously but I’m not disappointed with the performance.

“I thought the first 20 minutes or so was the best I’ve seen us play in the three months I’ve been here as a coach and now manager. We passed it superbly and the move for our goal was brilliant and it’s a shame we couldn’t build on that.

“They came back into it when we didn’t defend a corner well enough and they made it hard for us from there and we then gave away another really sloppy goal and couldn’t pull it back.”

Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence was delighted with the resilience his players showed in unusual circumstances in their last-gasp 1-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon.

The match was delayed by 23 minutes due to floodlight failure at the Priestfield Stadium midway through the second half after a power cut hit the local area.

After the players went back to the changing rooms for a time, there was a flurry of late chances when play eventually resumed and Conor Masterson snatched the win in the 85th minute to lift the Gills up to seventh in League Two.

Clemence said: “I thought the lads were fantastic. A 1-0 victory against a team that’s close to you in the table – they were above us before tonight and we’ve beaten them at home.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the boys because I remember those days myself as a player: tight games, not easy and you have to show good strength of character.

“I thought to a man they stood up to be counted and the subs when they came on as well were obviously great as well.

“It’s nice to score from a set-play. I said to the boys downstairs it’s amazing how many tight games are won by set-plays, so it’s something we’ve got to keep working on.

“It was obviously nice to bring Macauley [Bonne] on, I thought he gave us a bit of presence and he sets up the goal straight away.”

The match was a poor spectacle before the lights went out in the 64th minute but improved afterwards, with Wimbledon striker Ali Al-Hamadi coming agonisingly close by striking the inside of the post.

Gillingham grabbed their winner soon after when Jonny Williams’ free-kick was nodded back across by Bonne and Masterson was on hand to prod in from close range and spark wild celebrations.

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson said: “I don’t know how we haven’t won that.

“It’s hard to fathom, really, I thought we were the dominant team in the game.

“I don’t think we were at our best, I don’t think we had loads of outstanding chances, but we limited the opposition to so little and pretty much spent the second half camped in their half.

“We haven’t made the most of those opportunities, whether it was the chances to score, whether it was the opportunities when we broke off our shape and getting that last bit right; the pass, the cross, whatever it was.

“We were just a little bit wasteful in those moments and then we obviously got done on a set-piece.

“I think they had one other good chance I can think of, so to get done like that is hard to take.”

David Artell toasted a terrific start to his Grimsby career after the struggling Mariners battled to a 1-1 League Two draw at MK Dons in his first game in charge.

A re-energised Grimsby were excellent in the first half and deservedly led at the break thanks to Rekeil Pyke’s close-range finish.

They gradually ran out of steam in the second half and Jack Payne equalised for the Dons, but Grimsby held on for a gutsy point that moves them five points clear of the relegation zone.

Artell admitted he wants to change Grimsby’s style of play and was delighted to see some of his ideas already bearing fruit – despite only joining the club on Monday.

“I thought we showed what we’re about in patches,” he said.

“I said to them in there, credit to you. We’ve had an hour on the pitch and an hour in an analysis room going through various things.

“It’s not easy coming in mid-season so we’ve tried to put a game plan together that brings out the best in terms of what we’ve got without stretching them too far, but also asking them to go outside their comfort zone and do things they’ve probably not done in their career.

“First half, we showed glimpses of what we’re about. Second half, we went into the shell a little bit and reverted to type.

“But take nothing away from them. Their lad should’ve scored right at the death, but we should’ve scored four before that. If it ends 4-2, nobody can complain.

“However, I want us to play like that. That’s the standard. Take nothing away from our lads – they were terrific with what we asked of them and it’s a great start to build off.”

The result marks a third-successive draw for Grimsby, while the Dons are now five games unbeaten in League Two.

However, manager Mike Williamson admitted he was underwhelmed by the performance and said they have plenty to reflect on as they look to move up the table.

“I think when we reflect on it, it’s a disappointing evening,” he said.

“They played with freedom and they were very good for 90 minutes. For us, there’s lots to reflect on. I think we’re going to learn a lot from that.

“This will be quite a good game for us moving forward to break down and have a look, but it’s disappointing overall.

“I felt we were second best overall in certain areas but I can’t criticise the lads because everything they’ve given us since we’ve been here has been excellent.

“It’s just one of them where its more about learning and we could’ve won it at the end so it shows the spirit going forward and the quality we have on an off-day.”

Tranmere manager Nigel Adkins was delighted to see his side battle out a 2-2 away draw at promotion-chasing Mansfield.

The Stags were unbeaten in their first 17 league games before Saturday’s defeat to Swindon, but Tranmere twice took the lead and only a deflected equaliser saw Stags grab a share of the spoils in the 79th minute.

“I thought it was an excellent performance and a very good point,” said Adkins after Tranmere went four games unbeaten in their efforts to pull clear of trouble.

“They scored a deflected goal near the end which Luke (McGee) was going to save. That fortune has got to change and go our way eventually.

“But the work-rate and commitment from the players was phenomenal and the game plan worked superbly.

“We set ourselves a really good defensive shape against a good side.

“But we have the ability to intercept and counter attack.

“There is a spirit here. The lads have grafted today and had a go.

“Things are going against us at times but we have a whole group – not just 11 players – who are having a right go for Tranmere Rovers and each other and I think the fans appreciate that.

“We play some exciting football at times.”

Stags dominated possession but were caught out by a 13th-minute break as Harvey Saunders sent Charlie Jolley away to beat Christy Pym.

Pym also made a double save to deny Saunders before Rhys Oates levelled from close range after 37 minutes.

An error from Davis Keillor-Dunn sparked another counter after 62 minutes that saw Rob Apter drill home a low finish from 18 yards.

But sub Will Swan equalised with a deflected finish before Tranmere had Jordan Turnbull dismissed for a second booking in added time.

“I was pleased with the performance overall, but we conceded probably two of the worst goals we have conceded all season,” said Stags boss Nigel Clough.

“We have conceded very few here at the One Call, which has been our foundation.

“If we win our game in hand, we go second and we have only lost once in 19 games so I don’t think we’re doing too bad.

“It just seemed like one of those nights. We had a lot of the ball. But they had two lively lads up front and they are difficult to break down when people come and sit like that.

“You have to be patient and the crowd have to be patient too and stay with us. We are playing no different to how we were playing eight weeks ago, yet for some reason the crowd seemed more unhappy just because Tranmere scored a goal on the break.”

Disappointed Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson accused his players of “losing too many second balls” as they threw away a two-goal lead at Harrogate.

The Dragons were in the ascendancy following efforts from midfield duo Andy Cannon and Elliot Lee but Harrogate hit back either side of half-time with replies from Dean Cornelius and Anthony O’Connor to secure a 2-2 draw.

And Abraham Odoh should have even secured maximum hosts for the Sulphurites, who are winless at home since September 23, when he fired wide of a gaping goal.

On his team’s surrendering of two Sky Bet League Two points, Parkinson said: “I’m very disappointed because in the first half we had done everything right.

“We knew that Harrogate would be playing for a lot of second balls but we had contended with that brilliantly and their goal just before half-time came out of absolutely nothing.

“Then, if you lose a header in the middle of the goal, like we did just after the break, it’s never acceptable and, after that, their crowd came alive and we just never got going again.

“They won the first and second balls and it’s very frustrating not to have won from 2-0 up but, even at 2-2, we just needed to relax and play because, if we had done, we’d have gone on to win 4-2.

“In the first half, some of the football we played was really good and we spoke at half-time about the need to replicate that.

“But, when you lose so many second balls, the momentum swings and we never got back into our stride and I feel it was two points dropped.”

Home boss Simon Weaver argued that his team’s performance merited at least a point and also gave praise to a supportive Wetherby Road crowd in the club’s biggest gate of the campaign.

He said: “We were disappointed to be 2-0 down and the second goal was a poor one to concede from the long throw, because we had practised that for the majority of the day before the game, but the reaction was brilliant.

“We got right on the front foot and it was a strong response. We showed spirit and character and the least we deserved was a point.

“We believe something is happening at the club now and that we are moving forward and it’s all about building momentum.

“I didn’t envisage us going 2-0 down, because I expected a good performance and result despite knowing we were coming up against strong opposition so, to come back and get a draw should do wonders for our confidence.

“We felt our pace and rhythm upset them a bit in the second half and the front four caused them problems with the midfield two backing that up with energy and grit.

“It was everything but a win and the noise levels were fantastic from our fans who turned out in their numbers, which was really appreciated.”

Swindon boss Michael Flynn said his side showed the best and the worst of themselves as they almost threw away a 4-0 lead at Accrington.

The Robins were four goals ahead but three added-time efforts from Stanley left Swindon holding on for a 4-3 win.

Swindon took the lead in the 17th minute through Dan Kemp’s penalty and League Two’s top scorer Jake Young fired home his seventh goal in six games after 31 minutes.

Stanley manager John Coleman was sent off at half-time.

A spectacular 25-yard goal from Saidou Khan made it 3-0 on the hour mark before Swindon keeper Murphy Mahoney saved a Tommy Leigh penalty.

Substitute Charlie Austin made it 4-0 in the 89th minute before Korede Adedoyin started the comeback by drilling the ball home in the second minute of added time.

Defender Brad Hills pushed up front and hit a brace deep into 10 minutes stoppage time with Swindon clearing a late Adedoyin effort off the line to ensure the win.

“It was a brilliant performance for 90 minutes and then was the worst of us for the next 10 minutes,” said Flynn.

“It was very poor and we did our best to throw away the three points. We tried to look after a couple of players on a freezing cold night and made changes and we should have seen the game out, we should never have been in the position we were in.

“It was a perfect away performance for 90 minutes but the ultimate feeling at the moment is frustration as the way we have finished, that’s taken the shine off it.

“Saying that it’s seven points from three games, with two away games in that, and you have got to be pleased.

“I would have taken 4-3 before kick-off. Credit to them though, they gave us a scare.”

With Coleman sent off, assistant Jimmy Bell faced the media.

He said: “It was a never-say-die performance and we should have got something out of the game at the end.

“We have had large majority of attempts at goal, more possession, more shots on target, more corners and somehow we ended up 4-0 down. It was a crazy game.

“But after that the players showed a resilience to try and get something out of the game, their heads never went down.

“We know there are a lot of things we have to sort out defensively. I am disappointed we got beat at home and conceded four goals but what we showed at the end is something to build on.”

On Coleman’s dismissal, he said: “John was annoyed at a couple of decisions by the referee and he wasn’t allowed to come back on.”

Graham Alexander hailed his “committed” Bradford side they cruised past struggling Forest Green with a 3-0 League Two victory.

Goals from Matt Platt, Andy Cook, and Jamie Walker sealed victory before Bradford’s Ash Taylor was given a straight red card in stoppage time.

The heavy defeat leaves Forest Green three points adrift of Tranmere, who occupy the place outside the relegation zone.

Alexander added: “We looked at the players who were ready but we just saw commitment and energy, we thought we could go with the same guys again.”

Bradford led through Platt after he glanced home a Taylor header back across the goal following a clever corner routine.

Cook was sent tumbling by Rovers defender Jordan Moore-Taylor in the penalty area soon after and sent goalkeeper James Belshaw the wrong way from the spot after 20 minutes.

Bradford looked the more dangerous side and went close again through Tyler Smith, but he poked into the side netting from an acute angle.

Forest Green’s best moment of the first half came through Tyrese Omotoye but he skied his effort over the crossbar a dozen or so yards out following a Jamie Robson pass.

Callum Jones cannoned the crossbar for Forest Green before Walker made it three as he slotted home a loose ball following some neat build-up on the Bradford right.

Taylor was given his marching order in stoppage time for a professional foul as Olly Sully was through on goal but it was visitors who took home the points.

Alexander continued: “The players have been fully committed and got their rewards.

“Confidence can turn round quickly if you get encouragement and we didn’t give them (Forest Green) any. We created pressure and momentum straight away.

“There is no downside to winning games. What we can’t do is think we’ve done something major. The long term is, there’s still work to be done and we have to make sure we’re doing that.”

Frustrated home boss David Horseman said: “I’d like to apologise to supporters because it’s not good enough. The manner of goals gave us no chance in the game.

“They’re disappointing goals but it’s happening quite regularly at the moment.

“At the other end, we’re not clinical whatsoever – collectively there’s a lack of quality at the moment.”

Frustrated manager Dave Challinor lamented missed chances as Stockport were held to a goalless draw by Salford.

After seeing their 12-match winning run ended by Newport at the weekend, the League Two leaders endured another frustrating outing.

Nick Powell spurned a glorious opportunity for an opener when he struck the woodwork from close range.

Paddy Madden, a hat-trick hero against Salford in the EFL Trophy last month, also wasted a gilt-edged chance when his header was saved by Alex Cairns.

The Ammies stopper was indebted to defender Theo Vassell, who crucially blocked a Fraser Horsfall strike on the goal-line.

Cairns himself was a late hero as he again denied Madden shortly after pawing a Kyle Wootton strike clear.

“That’s two points dropped without question,” said Hatters boss Challinor.

“I’m frustrated because we won’t get a better chance of beating a team in League Two this season.

“They’ve got some experience but those lads (Salford) have had to go with no changes at the weekend and go again with a couple young lads coming in.

“They’re depleted in terms of numbers and it was obvious from the outset what the game was going to look like.

“You have to score and we have to take one of those chances; we must be more clinical and ruthless because that’s what wins you games.

“The positive is that we don’t lose because it’s one of those games where you can be in control, become a bit desperate, and then concede on the break.

“So, we have to take our point and move on but that was a massive opportunity for us and one we’ve not taken.”

Meanwhile, a point for a makeshift Salford side marred by 11 absentees stopped a run of three successive defeats.

“It’s a massive step forward,” said Ammies boss Neil Wood. “The effort and work-rate from the lads restricted Stockport and we defended the box so much better.

“The challenge for us is to stay consistent and to keep repeating that because we can be our own downfall.

“We played with a lot of character and discipline and the young lads especially were outstanding.

“It’s a massive crowd and a hostile environment so when they get behind the players and they start putting you under pressure, you must defend the box really well.

“I thought as the game went on we quietened down the crowd and we had a couple of chances that we could have done better.

“But I’ll give the lads credit because we knew before the game it was going to be 11 players playing 100 minutes.

“We showed good character, a lot of bravery and a lot of balls to play like that.”

Notts County boss Luke Williams could not hide his smile following Junior Morias’ first league goal for the Magpies in their 3-1 win over Crawley.

The striker rounded off the scoring at Meadow Lane on a night which saw them come from behind following Adam Campbell’s early strike – with goals from David McGoldrick, Jim O’Brien and Morias completing the turnaround.

Williams said: “I loved Junior’s performance when he came on, I thought he gave us lots of energy and he took his goal so well. Then he had a really great action, and he did everything right apart from find the finish.

“I was really pleased for him – I think it’s important and I like it when all of the guys go over and celebrate together – I think a few of them felt like they didn’t have enough energy in their legs to go and celebrate but they managed to do so.”

Williams’ side bounced back from their sixth defeat of the season to AFC Wimbledon at the weekend, with the Magpies boss explaining this evening’s performance was much better than what he saw on Saturday.

He continued: “There was a little period where we didn’t make enough tackles in the middle of the pitch and it wasn’t for the ones who were trying, but physically we were tired today.

“We had four players in midfield today and three strikers, and the substitutions had a group of tired players around them – I enjoyed seeing the energy and that type of aggression.”

Despite not managing to profit from their early lead, Crawley manager Scott Lindsey faced a similar situation to his opposite number, revealing the physical stress on his squad after travelling to Nottingham on the day of the Sky Bet League Two fixture.

“I am proud of the players tonight, I thought we were brilliant but in the second half we tired very quickly,” said Lindsey.

“We have had a long journey today to the game and for us to ask for the players after a really tough game on Saturday to put in another shift today on the back of sitting on a coach for four hours is testament to them and their attitudes.

“We had two players on the pitch who have not played a lot of football. While it is fresh legs from Saturday, they have not played a lot of football.

“We’ve been on a coach for four hours today and that is tough on the players, especially after a really tough game on Saturday.

“But that is what it is and that is the best we prepared today as best as we could, and they just tired against a team who love to play football and pass it about.”

Crewe boss Lee Bell felt his side deserved more after being held to a 1-1 draw by EFL basement boys Sutton.

The visitors went ahead in the 17th minute when Courtney Baker-Richardson opened the scoring.

But Louis John levelled for the U’s 11 minutes later at Gander Green Lane.

Both sides hit the woodwork as they searched for a winner in the second half, but ultimately had to share the points.

“I thought we deserved three points tonight,” said Bell.

“We were clearly the better team with better football and the way we play.

“The position they’re in, they fought for everything and threw their bodies on the line.

“The game has been defined by small moments in both boxes. Usually we’re more ruthless and that’s been the difference.

“I can’t fault the players for the effort. We lacked a bit of coolness. We got up there quite easily at times.

“The goal’s a killer against us. It’s small details again, which we’ll go through.

“We lacked that calmness. I thought we had the opportunities, but they fought for their manager.

“I absolutely think we’re going in the right direction. I can’t fault the performance of the players. I thought they were excellent.

“On another day we get more clear-cut chances and put one away.

“We’ve hit the crossbar and that type of stuff.

“We’ll go through it and analyse what we didn’t do well in their box and move on.”

The U’s are struggling with an injury crisis and only named six substitutes.

But Matt Gray praised his side’s spirit after they dug deep to get themselves out of trouble once again.

He said: “It was disappointing to concede that first goal again, but the reaction from the team was superb.

“We got the equaliser from a set-piece again and we’re really good at them.

“The attitude and the desire to grind that point out, I’m really proud of them. It was a phenomenal second half of digging in.

“It was a really pleasing performance in terms of the spirit and desire. The midfielders ran their absolute socks off and the defenders threw their bodies in the way of everything second half.

“We’re threadbare at the moment. We have to see how we are in the next couple of days and see if anyone else is fit for the weekend.

“We had a little spell. Aiden (O’Brien) hit the post and we penned them, but unfortunately we couldn’t nick a winner.

“It’s a well-deserved point, it’s a really pleasing point. We rode our luck with a couple flashing across goal, but we’re really pleased.”

Barrow made it five Sky Bet League Two wins in a row with a convincing 2-0 victory over Walsall at Holker Street.

Goals from Ben Whitfield and Niall Canavan mean that Pete Wild’s side move into the automatic promotion places having extended their record unbeaten league run to 10 games.

The Bluebirds opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Whitfield controlled the ball well on his thigh and lashed the ball home from the corner of the box.

The visitors’ cause was not helped when goalkeeper Owen Evans picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Jackson Smith in the 33rd minute, for only his third appearance.

After the break the home side continued to push forward in search of a second and came close through Whitfield and James Chester.

They eventually doubled their lead with 20 minutes remaining when skipper Niall Canavan forced the ball over the line from close range for his second goal of the season.

The result means that Barrow have now won five successive league games for the first time since the 1967-68 season and six in all competitions, moving them up to third in the table.

Junior Morias’ first league goal for Notts County saw the Magpies return to winning ways, beating Crawley 3-1 at Meadow Lane.

Adam Campbell had given the visitors the lead before David McGoldrick’s eighth goal of the Sky Bet League Two season levelled the scores.

Two second-half goals from Jim O’Brien and Morias ensured County moved to within a point of the automatic promotion places.

The visitors took the lead when former County player Campbell took aim from distance and found the top corner superbly.

Crawley almost doubled their lead following a mistake from Sam Slocombe but the resulting counter-attack saw the hosts level, when McGoldrick lobbed the on-rushing Luca Ashby-Hammond with a deft finish.

Slocombe almost gifted the lead back to the opposition as he fumbled Ben Gladwin’s powerful effort, with Aden Baldwin and Jodi Jones also going close in quick succession before the break.

Dan Crowley saw an early effort in the second half cleared off the line, but his fine delivery moments later found the head of O’Brien to put the hosts in front.

The points were sealed nine minutes later when Morias finished calmly after again being picked out by Crowley.