Morecambe and Carlisle have closed the gap with wins last weekend.

The Shrimps have a tall order at home to leaders Port Vale today while Carlisle can haul Bromley into the mire with a win in Kent.

Swindon look for a first league win under Ian Holloway at improving Accrington and Colchester United's now seemingly annual struggle brings Bradford to north Essex.

The U's have failed to win any of their past seven league games with their last victory coming in September against Tranmere.

Image source, Rex Features

Notts County fans are always very quick to tell you they are the oldest EFL club but if we are going to be a little more contemporary with our references, they are the only side unbeaten away from home in the EFL this season.

Stuart Maynard's side have more points on their travels (14) than at home (13) so far albeit their three wins on the road have come at struggling Swindon, Bromley and Carlisle.

It is just one defeat from their past eight league games for the Magpies and in Alassana Jatta they have a striker in form.

Being asked to effectively replace the departed Macauley Langstaff the Gambian is living up to that billing with 10 goals in all competitions and four in his last three appearances but, and it's a big BUT, Jatta is away on international duty (scoring against Comoros yesterday) so County will need someone to step up to the mark today.

Last season's beaten play-off finalists Crewe are giving it another go and, after a slow start which saw them take just one point from their opening three games, are on a six match unbeaten run.

In fact, such has been the turnaround for Lee Bell's team they have gone from losing four in a row at home and conceding 14 goals along the way to putting together six games without defeat at Gresty Road whilst being breached just twice.

This one looks too tight to call.

Adam Lanigan
BBC Sport at SO Legal Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Good afternoon from the SO Legal Stadium, aka Holker Street!

Here we are in south west Cumbria, for what on paper is a mid-table League Two affair.

However, this is a bit of nerdish enthusiasm on my part as this is a new ground for me - the 52nd of the 92 in the top four divisions.

Barrow has been described as the biggest cul-de-sac in Britain and it especially feels like that for those intrepid enough to travel up from south west London.

Wimbledon fans will have faced at least three trains and or at least three motorways to make the 300-mile trek north.

Apparently the Dons' supporters bus, due at 6.15am this morning, broke down and did not make it, so that will be a test of loyalty to see how many of those booked on that will have made alternative arrangements to get up here!

Image source, Rex Features

In the list of troubles to hit Morecambe over recent months, failing to win a league game at home so far this season is the latest hurdle they need to overcome.

Only the Shrimps and QPR are yet to give home fans something to cheer in the EFL but they are improving.

Derek Adams' has seen his side fail to win any of their past 10 league games at home which is their longest run since winning promotion to the EFL in 2007.

But wins at Barrow and Harrogate have kept them in touch at the bottom while dodging a potential FA Cup banana skin at Worthing was seen as a surprise by many despite the two division gap.

Ben Tollitt's six goals in all competitions means they have found someone who can hit the net regularly but with the second worst defensive record in the division they will need to tighten up at the back.

For Port Vale, following relegation the readjustment to life back in League Two appears to have been relatively seamless.

Darren Moore's side have won five of their past six games in League Two and have the best away record in the division.

Despite that run of form only three points separate the leaders Vale and fourth placed Doncaster so the hard work is far from over.

Jayden Stockley was an eye-catching summer capture and his four goals from nine starts along with strong contributions from the likes of Ethan Chislett, Antwoine Hackford, Rico Richards and Lorent Tolaj means they carry threats all over the field.

Last week saw none of the top five secure a win but can they afford to repeat those results this week?

Crewe Alexandra, MK Dons and Grimsby Town are all within striking distance of the top five while Port Vale could see themselves knocked off the top spot by Notts County or Doncaster Rovers should things not go their way.

Also keeping a keen eye on the top today will be Walsall, whose game against Gillingham has been postponed due to international call ups and will be anxiously waiting to find out where they end up at the end of the day.

Image source, Getty Images

A quick glance at the form guide would suggest Crawley are in deep trouble. They are in the relegation zone with just one win in their last 13 matches.

But take a longer look, and things are moving in the right direction. Two draws and a win suggest Rob Elliot's manic 44-day reign—which has already seen 10 matches—is starting to bear fruits.

Although their away form could do with a bit of a boost: Crawley are winless across their last six away league games since beating Cambridge 1-0 in their first match on the road this term.

Victory this afternoon would see the Red Devils escape the drop zone. The problem they have is Bristol Rovers at home. Rovers have taken 13 points from a possible 21 at the Memorial Ground, in contrast to only four on the road.

The touchline will see Elliot reunite with his former Charlton team-mate Matt Taylor. “He's a good character," said Taylor.

Image source, Rex Features

Promotion-chasing Barnsley will look to win corners, relegation-threatened Cambridge will not. Why, you reasonably ask?

Well, no side has scored more goals from corners in League One this season than Barnsley (5). Meanwhile, Cambridge are one of three sides yet to score from a corner situation this term.

More importantly for Garry Monk is seeing a reaction after a five-match all-competition winning run was decisively ended by a 6-1 thrashing by county rivals Peterborough.

"It was a horrible result for us last week. The nature of what we do is you have to regroup very quickly and focus on what's ahead, but not forgetting what's just happened," he told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"We boxed it off at the start of the week in terms of what that was and what it means for us, and are really gearing it towards a real response in this game, that's the only action left for us after a game like that."

Barnsley's form since the last international break - three league wins and a draw - has put them firmly in the promotion picture

Added to that, they have won each of their last three away league games against United, scoring nine goals in total across those matches.

Image source, Getty Images

We've all seen the Spiderman meme where two Spidermen are pointing at each other.

Well, Blackpool and Northampton are the League One version of that meme. Both have played 14 matches, won four of them, drawn four and lost the other six.

However, their forms are going in different directions. The Cobblers (who are a place ahead in 17th) have only lost one of their last five matches, while Blackpool are bottom of the form guide - they are six without a win.

But today could be the day things start to turn around? Two good reasons it might.

Firstly, their record over Northampton. Blackpool have won four of their last five league games against them, with each of those victories being accompanied by a clean sheet.

And secondly, Northampton's long list of absentees. Jon Brady claimed in his press conference that 15 players are either out or doubtful for the trip to Bloomfield Road - including top-scorer Cameron McGeeham, who is suspended.

Brady said: "You find one solution, and then another one, and then another one. It’s credit to the players and their flexibility and their resilience to say ‘I’ll play there’ or “I’ll do that job’ even if it’s unfamiliar to them."

Image source, Rex Features

As far as League One goes this season, this match feels big and when you look at the table and see it is sixth against third it would be difficult to argue any other way.

These two vied for the League Two title for much of last season with County eventually lifting the silverware and there was always a feeling both sides would settle well in the higher division.

Dave Challinor was quick to build on last season's title success by cherry picking some of League Two's top talent as he took goalkeeper Corey Addai from Crawley along with Jayden Fevrier and Jay Mingi from Colchester.

Lewis Bate has also made an impressive start after joining from Leeds and the loan signing of Louie Barry from Aston Villa for a second season is producing the results they hoped for with 11 goals in all competitions.

Take out the razzmatazz of Hollywood owners and TV documentaries, Wrexham are, believe it or not, actually a decent side.

With just ten goals conceded and eight clean sheets, Wrexham, along with Exeter have the best defensive record in League One but finding the back of the net on the road has been problematic with only six scored in seven away trips.

Birmingham City remain the favourites for promotion while Wycombe have upset the odds but it is difficult not to see Stockport and Wrexham having a say in things come May.

There is still plenty more to come from leagues one and two this afternoon so do stick around.

League One

Blackpool v Northampton Town

Bristol Rovers v Crawley Town

Cambridge United v Barnsley

Stockport County v Wrexham

League Two

Accrington Stanley v Swindon Town

Barrow v AFC Wimbledon

Bromley v Carlisle United

Colchester United v Bradford City

Crewe Alexandra v Notts County

Doncaster Rovers v Salford City

Harrogate Town v Chesterfield

MK Dons v Cheltenham Town

Morecambe v Port Vale

Newport County v Grimsby Town

Lincoln City get themselves into fourth place with that goalless draw at Exeter and make it four league games without a defeat.

In our pre-match table Exeter were out of the frame but that point is enough to move the Grecians into the top ten and they have taken four points from a possible six in the last seven days.

Lincoln carried by far the greater threat, but were unable to break through as Exeter keep another clean sheet.

Both sides may well be chuffed with a point in the long run.

Exeter move up two places to ninth and Lincoln move up to fourth.

No goals, two red cards and a point apiece.

A last throw of the dice for Exeter as Tendayi Darikwa pulls back Jay Bird a few yards into the Lincoln half.

It's floated into the box and pops up McMillan to on the right. He fires it back across goal but plucked safely by Lincoln keeper George Wickens.

Late change for the Imps.

Ethan Hamilton leaves the field for JJ McKiernan.

Four minutes to find a winner.

Image source, Rex Features

Exeter win a corner as Pierce Sweeney's cross is turned behind as we enter the final minute of normal time.

But it's defended stoutly by Lincoln who look to spring a counter.

Ryan Woods lunges in on Conor McGrandles to stop it and picks up a second yellow card.

Image source, Getty Images

The frustration boils over again for the Exeter coaching staff and assistant manager David Perkins is shown a straight red card.

A member of the Lincoln bench is shown a yellow for his part in the touchline handbags.

A real opening for Lincoln.

Jack Moylan has been brilliant for the visitors and wins possession near halfway before racing all the way towards the Exeter box before laying off a pass to his left.

Jovon Makama is clear on goal but blazes his shot high wide and not so handsome.

A scruffy passage of play as finding your team-mate becomes an increasing challenge for both sides.

Lincoln defender Lewis Montsma now goes down clutching his knee after he's pushed to the ground by Alli.

But he soon springs to his feet.