League Two Tips: Back Robins to win at Gillingham

Swindon must make promotion desire count

Gillingham 2.89/5 v Swindon 2.915/8; the draw 3.412/5

Swindon might be without Harry McKirdy for another couple of games, but they have proved capable without him in the past. The wide attacker scored a handful of goals before Christmas last season before hitting 20+ in total. Even when he was absent for a couple of games in the spring, the Robins won when their season could have derailed.

Do the Wiltshire club have more variety this season than last? They have quite a few new faces. Jacob Wakeling has made his mark, with two goals, while Tyrese Shade can supply as McKirdy does, from wide. Boss Scott Lindsey felt his side deserved to win at Stockport last Saturday, when the Robins drew for the fourth time in six this season.

That frustration after letting two leads slip in away games, picking up two draws, could well be assuaged at the Priestfield Stadium.

Opta point out they have drawn for of their last five games, as many as in their 26 previous league games. And they have a real incentive to turn that into a win here. They have just one league win at Gillingham in their last 37 attempts, stretching back to 1932. That was in 1986. This seems a perfect time to lay that ghost.

Gills boss Neil Harris is really feeling upset by his side's inability to score, let alone win. One goal by Scott Kashket brought them victory over luckless Rochdale. Home matches have also returned a point, against Walsall, but Harries says his players must sharpen up in front of goal. The killer touch and luck has deserted them in the final third.

They failed to live with Carlisle's tempo in the crucial period when the Cumbrians scored their winner, Harris felt. That's quite worrying. Experienced keeper Glenn Morris could be busy again on Saturday. Mikael Mandron and Jordan Green have proved they can score, in the League Cup, but Swindon can make the desire to gain promotion count.

Evans just wants his side to turn up

Crewe 3.185/40 v Stevenage 2.6613/8; the draw 3.211/5

Perhaps it is a measure of how the layers regard Stevenage and Steve Evans' very vocal approach to management that the visitors are favourites to win this match. At home, Crewe have won two to nil and drawn 2-2 with Northampton, who are gunning on all cylinders, determined to make up for last season's nightmare scenario finish to the season.

Alex Morris's side conceded a very late equaliser to the Cobblers in that game and can think that their Gresty Road home is somewhere to be feared. That, the manager said, was a "setback". He felt a goalless draw at Bradford, especially after leaking goals in their previous away game at Salford, was a great step forward.

Courtney Baker-Richardson will certainly want to finish chances like the ones he spurned at Valley Parade. He already has four goals this season. Dan Agyei will want to add to his great start too.

Stevenage will come at them, working keeper Arthur Okonkwo, on loan at Crewe from Arsenal, hard. Evans felt his side didn't really "turn up" at Salford, where they lost their unbeaten start to the season.

Had Arthur Read's strong shot gone in, he felt there would have been no way back for the Ammies. The Railwaymen might not be the place for Jordan Roberts or Luke Norris to find a winner, but a goal from either might earn a point.

Opta seem to hint at level pegging. Stevenage have won four of their opening six, but never won more than four from an opening seven in the Football League, while Crewe's progress is marked. They have won three of their opening six - more wins than in their final 21 games last season. Both teams have made progress this season, then, which could even itself out.

Rovers can add to Clough's away conundrum

Doncaster 3.39/4 v Mansfield 2.56/4; the draw 3.55/2

Nigel Clough must be wondering how Mansfield are so strong at home - three wins and an 8-3 goal difference - yet so luckless away. They have scored just once, conceded five and taken no points.

Like most managers, he said they conceded poor goals in defeat. That was at Sutton, an "awkward" side, still playing as they did in non-league. The Stags will find Doncaster just as difficult, especially if Gary McSheffrey's men were as comfortable in their win at Northampton as their manager claimed.

His unbeaten side were expecting a far tougher game. George Miller netted on this occasion. His other two have been at home. Kyle Hurst, 20, netted his first two goals for the club to defeat Salford in their last home game.

Riley Harbottle and Will Swan have done so well for the Stags at home, Clough must be wondering when they can achieve a positive result away. Opta point out they have not lost four away at the start of a season since 1979-80. The hosts are a big price, but on results so far it might be worth taking.

Carlisle can continue their progress

Carlisle 2.245/4 v Rochdale 3.814/5; the draw 3.412/5

Forgive me for not sounding thrilled about Jim Bentley's appointment, but he spent 10 years managing Morecambe, in mid-table then just keeping them in League Two, only for Derek Adams to come in and earn promotion the next year.

Circumstances, budgets, no doubt changed. I wish him good luck with whatever budget he now finds himself with. However, I am surprised Rochdale have not gone for a manager with a track record of promotion.

There's no questioning Bentley's desire and attributes as a leader - he captained the Shrimps out of non-league. But can he coach Rochdale to be better players? We will find out. I would love to see him succeed.

At least in midweek Ethan Brierley, Ian Henderson and Jimmy Ball gained some confidence by scoring in the EFL Trophy. The Dale have only scored twice in League Two this season. They have yet to score away.

Carlisle, meanwhile, are buzzing. Well, by comparison. They have scored exactly a goal a game, winning twice and drawing at home.

Finally, someone other than Kristian Dennis has scored. Jon Mellish, who netted in double figures two seasons ago, found the net to beat Gillingham. Paul Simpson's men need to convert a few more chances.

If they continue to score low, they need to stop the goals, which signing Bristol City centre-back Duncan Idehen is surely designed to do. Opta say that Rochdale have not won five trips to Carlisle, losing four. The odds, too, are surely in favour of the hosts.