EFL League Two REVIEW 15 Aug 2026: York battle back on EFL return as Newport thump Rochdale

York City marked their first Football League match in a decade with a thrilling turnaround, coming from behind twice to beat Bristol Rovers 3-2 at the York Community Stadium. Clinton Mola put the visitors ahead in the 30th minute, and York did not draw level until Alex Newby struck in the 60th minute, with Harry Boyes putting the home side in front just three minutes later. Tommy Leigh's 78th-minute penalty pulled Bristol Rovers level at 2-2, but Boyes struck again in the 80th minute to complete his brace and settle it. York's return follows last season's National League title, won with 108 points, but their build-up was overshadowed by the surprise summer departure of title-winning manager Stuart Maynard, with Scott Lindsey installed in his place before a ball had been kicked in League Two.

Newport County gave new manager Hayden Mullins a flying start with a 3-0 win over fellow returnees Rochdale at Rodney Parade. Kyle Cameron opened the scoring in the 18th minute and Shaquille Gwengwe doubled the lead just before half-time, before Rochdale's afternoon worsened when Bryant Bilongo was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 66th minute. Yahya Bamba added a third for Newport late on. It was a chastening opener for Rochdale, who had won promotion as National League runners-up with a club-record 106 points last term.

Crawley Town's afternoon fell apart at home to Crewe Alexandra, who won 1-0 despite finishing with ten men themselves. K. Gordon and M. Ebiowei were both sent off for the home side, in the 51st and 64th minutes, before Crewe's M. Demetriou was also dismissed in the 85th minute. It made no difference to the outcome: J. March scored the only goal of the game in the 90th minute to send Crewe home with all three points.

Elsewhere, Oldham Athletic beat Port Vale 2-0 as C. Kavanagh scored twice, in the 60th and 75th minutes. Walsall won 3-0 away at Gillingham through goals from I. Moore, J. Connolly and A. Pressley, all scored in the closing ten minutes. Barnet beat Salford City 3-1 at the Hive, with O. Gallagher, C. Lakin and K. Tshimanga on target before A. Oluwo's late reply for Salford. Cheltenham Town saw off Rotherham United 2-1, C. McCann and J. Evans scoring either side of J. Buyabu's equaliser for the visitors. Fleetwood Town won 1-0 away at Chesterfield through a C. Evans goal in the 35th minute. Grimsby Town edged past Exeter City 1-0 courtesy of an H. Rodgers strike, also in the 35th minute. Accrington Stanley drew 2-2 with Colchester United, C. Caton's brace for Accrington sandwiched between Colchester goals from E. Iandolo and R. Hunt. Tranmere Rovers beat Shrewsbury Town 2-0 with goals from J. Davies and C. Whitaker.

Northampton Town and Swindon Town shared a goalless draw at Sixfields.