In Focus: The League Two stars of the season

The League Two play-offs are in full swing, after a scintillating conclusion to the fourth tier’s regular season.

Forest Green beat Exeter to the league title on goal difference, while Bristol Rovers sealed the final promotion spot in similarly dramatic fashion — winning 7-0 on the last day to go up on goals scored ahead of Northampton.

And the campaign was just as notable for some of the hot prospects and established performers who starred for their clubs over the past year.

Ahead of the second leg of the Cobblers’ play-off semi-final clash with Mansfield tonight, here are five top talents who caught the eye this term.

Dominic Telford (Newport)

Where better to start than with League Two’s top scorer?

Newport centre-forward Dominic Telford hit a whopping 25 goals in 37 appearances, seeing off his nearest challenger Matty Stevens by two strikes.

Only four teams in the division netted more times than the Welsh outfit, with the 25-year-old’s contribution accounting for over a third of his team’s 67 goals.

Kane Wilson (Forest Green)

Champions Forest Green boast a number of worthy candidates for this list, but it is hard to look past the impressive Kane Wilson — who was voted League Two Player of the Season.

The West Brom academy graduate, 22, finished the season as the league’s joint-top assist provider with 13 from right wing-back — level with Northampton winger Mitch Pinnock.

Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Birmingham are all reportedly keen to sign Rovers’ No2 this summer.

Jon Guthrie (Northampton)

Northampton boss Jon Brady was effusive in his praise of star defender Jon Guthrie, 29, who scored an impressive eight goals from centre-half.

He said: “Jon came down from Livingston in the summer and he was the captain there and he’s a leader for us on and off the pitch.

“He’s been exemplary in his performances this season. He’s had a young family as well and missed a game for us because of that — that was brilliant for him but tough for us!

“Overall, it’s great to have Jon with us and the whole backline and the team have been excellent, especially that combination between Fraser [Horsfall] and Jon.

“They have both played a big part in the 21 clean sheets we have as well — so has everyone, but those two have been instrumental.

“You look at our record when they both play, it’s quite phenomenal really.”

Matty Stevens (Forest Green)

Matty Stevens will count himself unfortunate to have missed out on the League Two top scorer accolade this season.

He had 23 strikes to his name before rupturing his ACL against Scunthorpe in early April and missing the final eight games of the season.

The 24-year-old’s goals played a crucial part in ensuring his team were well clear at the top when he was injured, only for them to stutter over the line in the final month of the campaign.

Harry McKirdy (Swindon)

Third in the League Two top scorers chart — and rounding off our list — is Swindon’s Harry McKirdy, who has scored 21 times across the campaign.

However, the forward’s achievements are made more impressive by the fact that, unlike the two players above him, McKirdy split his time between playing up front and in a wider role.