Discipline in League Two

The Football League has been looking at the latest discipline stats.

Here's their report on League Two:

Sixth placed Torquay United have demonstrated they are not afraid to use a bit of brawn alongside some flair to help them climb the table, the Gulls top the table in npower League 2 for the most fouls. Paul Buckle's side have made 246 illegal challenges with 35 of them punished with bookings and a further two being deemed worthy of a red card.

Bottom of the table Hereford are the only side to have picked up over 40 yellow cards in all three divisions but League 2 can also lay claim to the team with the best record. Crewe Alexandra's players have been cautioned just 16 times, less than half that of the Bulls, having given away just 128 fouls. No-one from the Alexandra Stadium has yet managed to disappear for an early bath either, they are one of seven teams at this level who can be proud of the naught next to their name in the red card column.

What may be of concern for Dario Gradi though is, despite his side's excellent record, they have given away five penalties, only Crystal Palace in the Championship have given away more with seven to their name. Both teams will no doubt be looking forward to the second half of the campaign if the old adage about these things levelling themselves out over a season is to be proved correct.

At 48 fouls conceded Shrewsbury Town striker Matt Harrold is the one man in all three division's most likely to give away a free-kick when he challenges for the ball. Only two of those have earned him a yellow and one was felt worth of a red card by officials. He is joined at the top by another striker, Port Vale's Marc Richards.

The former Blackburn Rovers trainee has given away three free-kicks less but does have one more booking to his name. Having given away 36 fouls Aldershot Town forward Marvin Morgan completes what would be an impressive front line at the top of the discipline table. Between them they also have 23 goals to their name to consider alongside the 129 fouls they have conceded collectively along the way.

---