All 24 EFL League Two clubs' best forward ranked from best to worst | OneFootball

FLW rank the best strikers in League Two.

League Two has served up an enthralling season of football, with a fiercely contested promotion race and a constantly shifting play-off picture.

Goals, as ever, have been in plentiful supply, with both emerging talents and seasoned campaigners finding the net regularly and leading the line with distinction.

Today, Football League World presents the definitive ranking of League Two’s top strikers.

We’ve delved into the stats, assessed performances, and applied the all-important eye test to compile a list of the top 24 forwards lighting up the division.

1 David McGoldrick

Notts County

Notts County arguably boast the two best strikers in the division in David McGoldrick and Alassana Jatta. While the latter has outscored the former this season, anyone who’s watched the Magpies in action will appreciate just how pivotal McGoldrick is to Stuart Maynard’s side.

Ageing like a fine wine, McGoldrick possesses the ability to score from virtually anywhere in the final third, and his link-up play with teammates is nothing short of superb.

While goalscoring remains his standout attribute, he arguably deserves greater recognition for his creative contributions. He’s fashioned 40 chances this term, yet far too few have been converted into goals – a testament to his creativity, even if not always reflected in the assist column.

Port Vale

In second place is Lorent Tolaj, who has emerged as a real star for Port Vale in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.

Signed from Aldershot Town in the summer, it took him a little time to adapt to life in the EFL. But since the turn of the year, he’s come alive. Sixteen of his 22 goal contributions this season have come since January, and he’s played a vital role in pushing the Valiants towards promotion.

Much like McGoldrick, Tolaj’s game isn’t solely about finding the net. He thrives on being direct, driving at defenders, and creating opportunities for his teammates - making him a constant menace in the final third.

3 Michael Cheek

Bromley FC

In third place, we have League Two’s top scorer – Michael Cheek.

Since joining Bromley in 2019, he’s been a consistent thorn in the side of defences, effortlessly carrying his goalscoring prowess from one season to the next.

This term, he’s struck 22 times in the fourth tier, and perhaps the biggest surprise has been just how seamlessly he’s adapted to life in the EFL following Bromley’s promotion from the National League in 2023/24.

4 Matty Stevens

AFC Wimbledon

Matty Stevens was snapped up by AFC Wimbledon in the summer following his departure from Forest Green Rovers.

In his first season in blue and yellow, he’s netted 21 goals in all competitions, with 17 of those coming in League Two - keeping the Wombles firmly in the promotion mix.

A classic ‘fox in the box’, Stevens has made a habit of being in the right place at the right time. Remarkably, just one of his goals this season has come from outside the area, and his clinical finishing more than earns him a place near the top of this list.

5 Andy Cook

Bradford City

One of the most consistent goalscorers in League Two, Andy Cook has now netted 87 goals in the division.

His last three campaigns have seen him notch 28, 17 and this season 12 before an ACL injury in early January sadly brought his campaign to an early end.

At 34, you’d expect his career to be winding down, but the Bradford City number nine appears to have hit his peak well into his thirties.

6 Danny Rose

Grimsby Town

Another player who has League Two goalscoring firmly in his blood is Grimsby Town's Danny Rose.

The 31-year-old has found the net 14 times this campaign and his overall record in the division stands at 85 goals in 340 appearances.

Since joining the Mariners, he has been a reliable source up front and Grimsby will be hoping that he can take them to the League Two play-offs in the coming weeks.

7 Harry Smith

Swindon Town

Harry Smith has enjoyed a thoroughly solid debut season at Swindon Town.

The Robins’ frontman has notched 15 goals and chipped in with three assists across 37 appearances.

Under the guidance of Ian Holloway, he’s developed into a real handful for opposition defences, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him build on that tally in the next campaign.

8 Robert Street

FLW have aimed to avoid including loanees in this list, but Doncaster Rovers' Rob Street simply couldn’t be left out.

The striker arrived from Lincoln City in January and, while Luke Molyneux has often stolen the headlines out wide, Street has been equally crucial to Donny’s resurgence.

He’s scored nine goals in 20 appearances, and his tireless pressing has become a hallmark of Grant McCann’s side.

9 Jamille Matt

Walsall FC

Nathan Lowe would have undoubtedly featured on this list had he remained at Walsall beyond January, but Stoke City opted to recall him.

That’s left one standout option for the Saddlers up top - the experienced Jamille Matt. He’s found the net 12 times this season and, while he hasn’t quite hit the same heights as when Lowe was still at the club, he’s still delivered a solid and dependable campaign.

10 Cole Stockton

Cole Stockton set League One alight back in 2021-22 when he bagged 23 goals for Morecambe.

Since then, his form has dipped, but he’s enjoyed a return to his best this season at Salford City.

In total, he’s found the back of the net 14 times in 36 appearances. What stands out most is that he’s outperformed his expected goals (xG) by 6.01 – a feat they’ll be hoping continues if they’re to mount a late push for the play-offs.

11 Lyle Taylor

Colchester United

A player whose career has been fraught with controversy, Lyle Taylor is now experiencing a quieter phase at Colchester United.

In the past, he’s netted over 20 goals in this division with AFC Wimbledon, but this season he’s managed just 10 for the U’s.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign, it seems increasingly likely that he’ll be moving on from Essex.

12 Will Grigg

Chesterfield FC

Something of an EFL legend, Will Grigg is now plying his trade at Chesterfield.

Last season, he struck 24 goals in their promotion from the National League, and while his 10 goals this year are a far cry from that tally, it’s still a respectable return.

At 33, his contributions may start to wane in the coming seasons, but it’s likely he’ll still play an important role for the Spireites, both on and off the pitch.

13 Ryan Graydon

Fleetwood Town

Ryan Graydon is another of Fleetwood’s League of Ireland contingent, and he’s enjoyed a solid second season in League Two following his move from Derry City in 2023.

Across all competitions, he’s registered 13 goals and seven assists - an impressive return.

Capable of playing out wide or through the middle, Graydon is a dynamic presence who relishes having the ball at his feet. With an eye for goal and a strong work ethic, he looks set to remain a key figure at Highbury and is fully deserving of a spot on this list.

14 Jack Lankester

Crewe Alexandra

Jack Lankester has faced his injury issues this campaign, but when fit he has been a real handful for League Two defences.

In total, the 25-year-old has provided seven goals and six assists in 23 matches and had he been more readily available, Crewe may have had a shot at the play-offs.

15 Josh March

Harrogate Town

Josh March’s career has never been defined by prolific goalscoring, but the striker has consistently been a valuable presence in EFL squads.

The 28-year-old thrives on putting himself in awkward positions for defenders, making himself a constant nuisance – the sort of battle no centre-half relishes.

This season, he’s chipped in with eight goals, and it’s fair to say he’s been a dependable figure for Harrogate throughout the campaign.

16 Scott Hogan

MK Dons

Dropping down to 16th, we find a player who has turned out for both Aston Villa and Birmingham City - Scott Hogan.

Having made the move from the Championship to League Two in the summer, MK Dons fans would have been expecting more from the 33-year-old, who has managed just eight goals across the season.

Cheltenham Town

George Miller has been a League Two regular in the past couple of seasons for Walsall, Doncaster and now Cheltenham Town.

His eight goals aren't an incredible return, but the work ethic of the 26-year-old is superb. He is often left as a lone striker, so a bit more support could see his tally increase significantly.

18 Josh Woods

Accrington Stanley's starting line-up is often fraught with changes across the front line, but we have sided with Josh Woods as their regular striker.

The 24-year-old joined Stanley in 2021 from Clay Brow FC and has enjoyed a good season at the Wham Stadium.

He is only going to get better and could be a real force in the years to come.

Tranmere Rovers

Connor Jennings has been a key figure for Tranmere Rovers over the past two seasons following his move from Hartlepool United.

His first spell at the club, between 2016 and 2020, was excellent, but his impact has waned slightly this term, with just four goals and three assists in 42 appearances.

20 Georgie Kelly

Carlisle United

Georgie Kelly has been hampered by injuries in 2024-25, but has returned to action in recent weeks.

His four goals in the past four games have given Mark Hughes' side the slightest glimmer of safety and even if they don't pull off the 'great escape', he would be a useful asset in the National League.