09/04/2012 The Football League Show

Good evening and welcome to Park two of our double bill over Easter.

Two games in three days can make or break a season as can eight change

of manager with Crawley waiting to see how their promotion campaign

will unfold after Steve Evans' decision to join Rotherham. Our

steed is still with us and here is a glimpse of what is coming up: We

threading not in Acton, West Ham are looking to close the gap at the

top. The Hammers were up against a team in form, Birmingham. At the

other end the games do not come much bigger than Bristol City and

Coventry. With all the action from a tense affair at a rain-soaked

Ashton Gate. Days surprised everybody when they emerged from

the pack to take their place in the Premier League two years ago it.

Can Blackpool do it again? We are with Ollie and the boys for a

seaside rendezvous. Will we see our first relegation of the season?

Chesterfield and Exeter are hanging by a thread in League One.

We start with matters at the top of the Championship and if the games

on Friday and Saturday were anything to go by, we could be in

Reading are not in action until tomorrow and West Ham face the team

just below them in 4th place, Birmingham. We begin with

Southampton and Crystal Palace. The dramatic derby draw with Portsmouth

had done nothing to dent Southampton's enthusiasm. One point

from their last six was far below this season's expectations and knew

it was time to get back into the winning habit. Crystal Palace has

lost three of their last four, but the offside flag had been raised.

This was almost a fantastic story to tell. Instead, as usual, it was

Rickie Lambert who made the headlines, no flag this time. His

25th league goal of the season arrived six minutes before the

break. If Chris Martin could have been as deadly, Palace would have

gone to the dressing room level. And within 10 minutes of the

restart Lambert showed him how it should be done. They established an

unassailable lead. That recurring theme, that shipped to the far post,

continued to baffle Palace. It was Jose Fonte on the end of the cross.

Saints have set themselves up nicely for a crunch match with

Reading on Friday. We stay in the here and there now still, there is

a long way to go, four gains. We have been in the top two for the

whole season and our endeavour is to stay there. We have led the

division for a long period of time, but we know other teams will do

their best to stop us doing it. We will stay focused on what we have

Bunch of players. Southampton are seven points clear. How would the

Hammers respond to the challenge? They take on inform Birmingham City

with West Ham in pursuit of their first home win since February. Sam

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box. The referees says, not this good save for West Ham. For me

Chris Burke is a good half a yard or so beyond the last defender.

That was a great header, and a centre back. He has scored five

headers this season, and you can Robert Green standing and leaves

More home loans on the West Ham horizon perhaps. You wonder how

they are a goal down given to possession so far. That is Marlon

King for Birmingham. West Ham in disarray once again. Head-shaking,

head-scratching. West Ham's see promotion and the top two position

dropping ever more so out of their grasp. West Ham are seeing their

promotion hopes ripped to shreds in staying in the end. West Ham close

to a lifeline and a way back in. Robert Green hit that as long as he

could to Ricardo Vaz Te. That is going to be a corner. West Ham are

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hopeful of getting one back before bouncing bomb from Chris Burke.

before half-time. It never rains, Sam. The natives here are not at

Lansbury was the man he was pushed furious, West Ham. They are livid.

But play goes on for Birmingham. Gary Caldwell holding on and

pulling back on the arm. Then he wins the ball. Before that did he

pull back and fell Carlton Cole. The challenge is fair afterwards,

but before I did he pull him back? the grandstand finale. Carlton Cole

with 20 minutes left to play has got West Ham back to within one

extremely close. Really good stuff at Upton Park. The NPower

Championship has come up trumps Penalty. The ball was sent in at a

rate of knots. That is harsh because there was so much pace on

that. Ricardo Vaz Te. Three apiece. West Ham hopeful, optimistic, it

Ed. Exam's team have given their all. -- Big Sam's team have given

their all. It was a disappointing first half in terms of playing into

the opposition's can. It has cost us dear today. Had we gone in even

which does slip ups at 2-1 and not gifted them another goal, and let

them go to the other end and get a corner, we probably would have won

this game in the second half performance. The amount of long

balls and diagonal balls that came in became relentless. For the large

majority of the game we dealt with it, but it is hard to deal with it

An incredible game at Upton Park. Birmingham shocked West Ham into an

amazing comeback. Ultimately it was just for point which does West Ham

no good at this stage. Magnificent game. We could have filled the

whole programme. A point is not a lot of good to either side. We know

they are both in the play-offs. If West Ham had won that, they might

have snuck into the automatic places. I keep watching West Ham, I

keep seeing them starting games well. But when they haven't all in

the game, they concede. It makes the game, they concede. It makes

life difficult. Allardyce saying they need to make it count. Let's

look at the contentious issue which brought West Ham level. Was the

referee right? Yes. The arms are raised. Raised in an unnatural way.

He was turning away with his arms coming up. You are not balancing

yourself by doing that. It stopped the ball. No option but to give a

penalty. West Ham will see it as two points dropped. Let's take a

look at the run in. How do you see it panning out? Southampton, I

imagine, are pretty much there. After that,, the game against

Reading will be big, but you are looking at West Ham to catch

Reading. Reading have won 13 out of the last 15. At this stage of the

season, generally the teams informed do what they have to do

and get the job done. West Ham are relying on somebody else. Make up

your own mind. I know which dressing room I would rather be in.

Hammers and the play-offs? You're asking for something extra. Reading

doped look likely to drop any points. Let's get to the bottom of

the Championship. Everything to play for. This is how things looked

before kick-off. Eight teams looking to avoid relegation. Four

of them faced each other today. Forest were at Peterborough and

there was a crucial game between victory for either Bristol City of

Coventry at a sold-out Ashton Gate would be significant in the quest

for survival. The defeated would go into the final four games in the

relegation places. It could be a pivotal afternoon. Bristol City

might have won at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but two games in less

than 48 hours has led to changes. Kerry has dropped out, with wood.

Stephen Pearson has recovered from a chest infection. Two changes to

the Coventry side that drew with Peterborough. Clive Black passed a

fitness test. -- Clive Platt. Keegan comes into the mid- field. -

target. He didn't quite get his bootlaces through it. A first sight

of goal for Bristol City. Her first sight of goal for the returning

Brett Pitman. Really neat work by Foster to create the opportunity.

Just needed to put his boot through Murphy. The first time he has been

really tested in the Coventry goal and he was equal to it. -- been

perhaps feels as though he could be a priceless goal. He has

just thrown himself at it. A really dangerous ball in and it is John

Stead who gets his head on it. He diverted it beyond the goalkeeper

and what a moment that could be for make amends. -- John Stead. Bristol

City have an early corner. Within anybody in the second half, John

Stead. It is in! They have equalised. John Stead. He scored at

one end just before the break and he has equalised just after half-

time. Within 90 seconds of the restart, they are level. It was not

dealt with and John Stead was on the line. He threw his right foot

at it. He diverted it into the back of the net. It is a big moment for

Bristol City, but it is a moment of immense relief for John Stead. His

fourth goal of the season cancels out the own goal he scored in the

first half. Another change for introduction and what a moment for

him to perhaps call the goal to put daylight between Bristol City and

the relegation places. He had been on for a matter of seconds and he

has given Bristol City the lead. It is his first goal for Bristol City.

How precious might it be? Courtesy of a deflection, it found its way

over the goal line. Into the back of the net. It could be a massive

goal for Bristol City in their quest to extend their stay in the

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much time as possible by the corner is red. It looked it the minute

that he went diving in. Pitman has had a monstrous afternoon, busying

himself, but a moment of recklessness means Bristol City

keeper. He did not get a full contact on it and the keeper of

gleefully falls on it. Platt threw himself at it. That is what it is

towards goal again. But what a job he has done to win his team a

corner kick. They have come from behind. Would! That is the moment

Bristol City will win the game and Bristol City will open up a four

point gap between them and the bottom three. Nothing is decided

today, but this could be a huge result in their quest to play

Championship football next season. Coventry just couldn't deal with it,

could they? When the ball fell to him, he slammed the ball into the

back of the net. The match winner on Saturday and Nottingham Forest,

the clinching goal this afternoon the clinching goal this afternoon

at Ashton Gate. Today showed the club in a really good night. The

support filled the place out, got behind the team. We did it the hard

way with 10 men but we have shown enough quality to get the job done

and we deserved it. When the end goal goes in, you think it will be

one of those days. But I kept working hard and I got my chance

with a scrappy goal. First half we were OK. But I felt we were dead on

our feet in the second half. Games caught up with us. Couldn't really

freshen things up. Probably caught Doncaster. A 4-0 drubbing at

Leicester on Saturday had left them eight points adrift at the bottom.

Anything but the win at home to Burnley and Rovers could all but

kiss goodbye to their second level status. Dean Saunders made nine

enforced changes to a side ravaged by injuries but there was nothing

anybody could have done to prevent Burnley leading at half-time. Chris

Brown must have the strength to draw Rovers level. But with a

quarter of an hour to go, the home side shot themselves in the foot. A

clumsy and a legal challenge and it was a penalty. -- illegal. The

opportunity was duly taken by Charlie Austen and what little hope

of survival remained at the key note, was pouring out of the Exits

with the home fans. George Friend could have salvaged a point at the

death. Doncaster not mathematically relegated just yet, but the South

Yorkshire club's stake in the Championship looks all but ladle --

over. They made a lot of changes to their team today. We knew it would

be a tough game. I thought we were excellent and I was really, really

pleased with the performance. I thought we should have won by more.

I was playing at Bradford when we beat Liverpool in the last game of

the season. Wimbledon lost the last 10 games of the season, I think.

They ended up getting relegated and we stayed up. Stranger things have

happened. But I knew it was a tough job when we took over. We had only

got one point from seven games and hadn't won for 20 games and we were

favourites to get relegated anyway. But I have come in to try to keep

the club in the league. Saturday's defeat at Bristol City left

Nottingham Forest sitting far from comfortably, just four points above

the relegation zone so their nerve would be tested against a

relatively relaxed Bidborough team. Forest were firing on all cylinders

from the off, especially Lewis McGugan. Posh fortunate to escape

that time, but their luck ran out seven minutes before the break.

Garath McCleary's impressive turn of pace and Dexter Blackstock's

predict treat instincts had Forest in front. It would not be a cruise

to the finish, though. 12 minutes from the end, McCleary's

contribution was a lot less helpful. A lunge at Grant McCann which the

referee punished with a straight red card. Forest still landed

maximum points to look considerably safer. We think we could have been

3-0 up in the first 20 minutes. We didn't take our chances and we may

be going tougher. To keep a clean sheet at Peterborough is no mean

feat. It was again too far for us. The boys had nothing in the tank. I

thought Forest were excellent, they played really well. The writing is

on the wall as far as Doncaster are concerned. 11 points adrift. Also

at the bottom, a significant win for Bristol City over Coventry.

Very much so. It was a difficult game. I thought they just about her

and that victory. It was a hard fought victory. Coventry have been

on a decent run, they did not play as well as we thought they might

have. But they gave it everything, The major blemish was the sending

off of pit man. You are going to be without a striker for a three over

those last four gains. There is no doubt they have got back up. You

are leaving yourself with so little room for manoeuvre. He continues to

go for the ball. That is such a dangerous challenge. He has got to

go. When he looks back at that he will think, I have not got much of

a leg to stand on regarding that decision because it was an off a

challenge. There is a new-found resolve about Nottingham Forest.

They held out against Peterborough with ten men in the latter stages,

but they won it with a quality goal from Dexter Blackstock. It is a

decent move, to be fair. I liked the way that as the ball comes in

he makes himself a yard and he knows whether the offender is. As

the defender comes to mark him, he takes it away from the defender.

You still have to know where you are with regards to the goal. He

does not smash it, he places it past the keeper, fantastic. Have

they done enough? Yes, undoubtedly. One team who will wear secure a

while ago, but who are now getting twitchy are Barnsley. They had a

nightmare run of eight defeats in 10. Earlier today they featured

Blackpool who are looking to be a good bet to feature in the play-

offs. Clem it went to the seaside to see how Ian Holloway's team will

fare in the challenge. Come on, Blackpool. Blackpool left it late

to take the final play-off place two years ago before securing a

memorable campaign in the Premier League that ended in relegation

against champions Manchester United on the final day of last season.

This time around they have started their assault on the top flight and

despite wholesale personnel charges and the departures of several key

names, and a manager who took time to privatise again. I think you are

over your hangover and I think the relegation thing was under your

skin, but you seem to be back to yourself. Yes, it is bound to

affect you, it affected everybody at the club. It was such an

exciting season and the lads played so well for so many seasons. That

39 tally would have kept us up. But such is life and I am very pleased

with the lads. They have stepped in and there is a whole new group and

I am pleased with them. Nice to see you. Are you OK? Good, thanks.

do things compared to two years ago? We were unfortunate that 39

took us down and you would probably stay up with about 35. We have not

sulks about it and we have a fighting chance to get back-up.

boys have got a bit between their teeth and they realise how serious

this is and we cannot afford any mishaps. We have had one or two. We

know the focus you have to get. It suits me to be here because the

club is exactly like that. No matter what we have got, it does

not seem to change. The very chair you are sitting on came out of a

skip. We got loads of money, but that was an NHS chair and week I

I tell you what, this could be an unbelievable thing. You were on

loan from us when seat and you did it with Swansea last year and are

you are back yet again. I am here to help the gaffer and the boys

achieve what they want to do this year and if I can carry on in the

form I am in just now, hopefully it will be enough. Everybody's dream

is to play in the top flight and be good enough. Whenever I start

something, I want to finish it. We have got five games left and it is

in our hands at the moment. It is pretty tough. It is the best

journey I have ever been on. Things did not go to plan for the home

side. Keith Southern's reckless challenge was deemed worthy of a

red card. Blackpool were down to 10th after just 20 minutes with Ian

Holloway condensed Foster was the goal. Barnsley have lost their last

seven on their travels, but finally found their way through Blackpool's

last ten men. Stephen Dobie had scored four goals in three games

since being on loan from Swansea and almost made it five as they

continue to threaten. He could not quite take advantage. If there was

one man Blackpool wanted their best chance to fall to it would have

You were rotten! Thanks a lot. You were wrong. You are clearly unhappy

with the sending off. Yes, I felt it was a good, old fashioned, full-

blooded tackle by my fellow and he did not jump and put two feet into

it, whereas their fellow did. I am totally confused. The referee is

talking about the laws of the game and angles and his ankle definitely

saw my player commits a reckless challenge. I am glad I am not

playing any more, I would have been off every week. Ian Holloway is

furious, and there might be a difference of opinion. Let's have

a little bit short. He definitely wins the ball. Keith Southern comes

through it and the stunts are up That is the correct decision.

Stephen Foster has gone in as if he is making that two-footed challenge,

but he finishes off short and Keith Southern comes in late. Foster does.

The challenge is high and it is late and I cannot see how you can

argue with that. He is a good player. He does all the nasty stuff

and breaks things up and is a good player. For Barnsley it is much

better after what they dished up against West Ham the last time

around. We start with the team Blackpool beat in the play-off

final two years ago, Cardiff. They Wales with a record which suggested

they could do some serious damage to the Bluebirds. They have won

five of the last seven before Friday's defeat at Blackpool and

was starting to wonder about sneaking into the top six

themselves, but Ben Turner showed this could be a tricky assignment.

The Cardiff midfielder's first start for two months ended with a

suspected broken ankle. It might have been a downbeat half-time

dressing room, but spirits were lifted to us before the whistle.

Kenny Miller borrowed Don Cowie's cross. They knew they might needed

a second and Miller could have hardly gone closer. Now, Watford

rallied, showing off their own aerial power. David Marshall had to

be on his toes to keep out Martin Taylor. Tomasz Kuszczak was equally

agile. The value of that saved was apparent with eight minutes to go,

with a rare goal from a Nyron Nosworthy. We need to try and win

every game. To be on the safe side you have to do that. There are a

few teams there or thereabouts and everybody is cutting each other's

throat. It is probably a bit too much for us at the moment to get

into the play Alps. But you have seen they are ready to keep going

and keep playing. No wins in seven had seen medals per slip out of the

Championship plate of spots. They made a short trip to Hull who

themselves have lost touch with the top six. It was the visitors who

got off to the perfect start. The offside trap was all out of kilter.

It was his 30th League goal of the season. Vauxhall Ampera manager

Nick Barmby had demanded a brave performance. Joshua King took

responsibility to drag them back into the game. It was their first

goal in over four-and-a-half hours of football. Matthew fry it kept

his cool two minutes from time. The Tigers could have added a

flattering sheen to their first win in seven games after King did once

again everything right, only for Khoury Evans to get it all wrong.

It was on the break and it rocked us, but I got them in at half-time

and said, keep the way you are playing and keep the commitment and

I thought we deserved to win the game. I could not see them scoring

and we gifted them the goal and it was a poor goal to concede. It gave

them a bit of belief on the pitch and the terraces. They got their

reward quite late on. Barring an unlikely turn up events, probably

just pride for both these clubs to play for at Elland Road. The Rams'

recent record against Leeds was remarkable, six successive wins.

Their prospects of a seven success increased dramatically, LEAs were

reduced to ten men for the third match running, with more than an

hour to play. Craig Bryson made the most of the extra space. A stunning

finish for his 6th goal of the skis and. These are dismal days for

Leeds. Geoff Hendrick was blocked out, but not Steven Davis. Derby

making a strong finish to the season, but Nigel Clough concedes

it has probably come too late for a play-off place, while Leeds cannot

wait for it all to end. Neil Warnock is still waiting for his

first home win and is promising lots of changes in the summer.

Brian Clough says he will be working hard to keep his team

together. Leicester travel to Portman Road for her an encounter

between two surprising low achievers of the season. Grant's

Leadbitter forced a save from Casper us Michael. -- Kasper

Schmeichel. That was a terrific turn and finish. Leicester's

response was immediate. Ben Marshall's free kick seemed to

deceive everybody in the global stock Lee Barrett redeemed himself

in the second half. Nothing fortunate about that superb save.

By this stage another Leicester goal seemed to have more than

likely. It came through David Nugent. It was his 9th against the

Tractor Boys. Jermaine Beckford could have made it 3 later on. It

was a very happy Easter for Nigel Pearson. They are all very

important games for us at the moment, but we are hanging in there.

We have given ourselves and of poor lot to do, but six points over the

Do us any harm. So it was a painful reunion for Malky Mackay against

his old club Watford. Five draws out of six. Their grip on that 6th

place is not as good as it should be. It is one win in seven. If they

manage to hold on to that, they are four points clear of seven spots

and they have a bit of breathing space. Now it is all closed up and

it is very tight again. It brings in clubs like Leicester and Hull.

For Leicester back-to-back wins have been hard to come by this

season, but suddenly the fans think it is possible with four to play.

They are just teasing their fans! I have got to say that two back-to-

back wins all season, and then they somehow have a real opportunity.

Consistency. That is what we are talking about. Haven't seen it all

seen the manager quite content and smart. So something must have

happened today that is appealing. Nick Barmby is smiling as well,

because he has had a torrid run. Five defeats on the bounce, just

one of those would have put them back into it. Whether they have

left themselves too much to do, I don't know, but they will probably

The tug-of-war over second place in League One carried on between the

two Sheffield clubs. Wednesday knew they would go second with a win

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giving all done the lead. -- old goals this season for Jermaine

Johnson. They had a great start Sheffield Wednesday, that was a big

would have backed him to score from down. Was that a penalty? The

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mightily close. A look at the Gary Madine! His 18th of the season

breaks the deadlock. But the defending was awful. It was a good

ball in. But how on earth was Llera allowed to go on as he did? Just

days for the Spaniard. He got his first goal in over a year at the

weekend, and her sister and a goal in this one. But where was the

are back into second. He had the freedom of the penalty area.

the high tempo, the amount of work they put in, it took a lot out of

them. To come here today, and finish off Oldham, nothing but

admiration. We have to look over our shoulders a little bit, we have

a tough game next week, we need to go to Wycombe. We cannot change

what has happened today, but we can take the good things, look at the

negatives and try and make their A barrier with this victory, but it

was harder work than they were expected. -- expecting. Jackson was

back for Charlton, and keen to make up for lost time. He did lay on the

winner, his free-kick found at N'guessan, who scored his first

goal in as many home games. Charlton, still winning. A real

gutsy performance by the players, two games in three days' is hard.

We had a gruelling game, tough trip coming back from Alton, and then to

prepare for today, the players gave me everything, and I really applaud

Huddersfield. Bournemouth could have gone in front when this free-

kick came back off the post. Thomas eventually get the ball over the

bar. Huddersfield's season is starting to unravel, and it looks

almost certain that they will have to face the play-offs again. Malone

helped the ball over the line. On Saturday, and they lost 2-0 to

Sheffield Wednesday, and it was the similar scoreline did minutes from

time here, when Bournemouth's caretaker manager got his first

wind. I think the players are gaining a little bit more belief as

time goes on. For work on the training ground needs to continue,

League One, but an interesting tussle between Sheffield Wednesday

and Sheffield United. It is a case of who blinks first. They are both

on a great grunts. I am not sure that the odd man out here... I

don't think they will be as famous as we have seen, because they are

both hitting great form. I think they will be thinking, if we play

well, we will go through, because we are the third best side,

definitely. United could go to the end of the season but winning all

their games. That is the way it is looking. We win, you win, it is

just the one who has got the advantage. At the moment, it is

Sheffield Wednesday, but we will wait and see, who will hold their

nerve! Charlton are almost over the finishing live to stop Chris Powell

has shown a canny knack in the transfer market. N'guessan has

scored in three consecutive home games. He has taken a lot of

excuses in from managers to say decked players take a long time to

bed in. He has said it where the players are going to play, what the

job in, -- what the job is, so he has blown a few excuses out of the

Walker. The players who have come in through the season have come in

and done well. It was a pivotal day at the bottom of League One,

Chesterfield and Exeter were staring relegation in the face and

knew they had to get something out of their games to stand a chance of

escaped if Chesterfield managed to survive this season. They reminded

people not to write them off just yet. But two minutes after the

recite -- restart, they were coasting. This was Moussa's third

goal in two games. Five minutes later, they were three down, after

bamboozling Doherty, he curled in a beauty. That put a stop to their

losing streak, but even if they can take maximum points from their

remaining matches, it might be enough to save them. Bowery top off

an excellent display with a 4th. But surely this only delays the

still avoid the drop, summer rolled their eyes. They could have gone

down on Monday, but they looked determined to avoid that fate. They

got a stay of execution. They had hoped when previously there was

none. Optimism at aureate is it similarly short supply. -- optimism

width of the post. Lady Luck hasn't completely abandoned them. But she

couldn't prevent an 8th defeat out of 10 for them. It was Exeter's

lift, and it leaves the Leyton them back into relegation trouble,

and they needed a response against Colchester. They got the lead five

minutes before half-time up. Three minutes later, the lead was doubled.

Ut if you're looking for a League One goal of the day, how about this

effort from Bury's Giles Coke? There was only one thing on his

mind. Colchester's response was relegation trapdoor, David Worrall

completing a thoroughly satisfactory afternoon for the Gigg

Lane faithful. Some way to pick up been everybody's cup of tea since

joining Preston. But he was back his old club looking to end a run

of five matches without a win. This strike appeared to have done the

trick. A major blow for his former employers, losing ground in the

play-off places. But in the end, Carlisle's play-off prospect few

favours. They surrendered their top-six place as a result of this

stalemate. They could have done with one of these efforts hitting

Stan managed just six goals. He has turned into a star striker here.

But he was anxious to add to the two he scored in five previous

games, and the first of this afternoon came after a Yeovil

failed to deal with this cross from the right. He was set up with a

Easter. Francs scored in the win over Rochdale, and the

Middlesbrough loanee managed another, the tackle the scores with

11 minutes left. -- to settle the kept his feet to put his team back

in front before racing to embrace his manager. In the 93rd minute, he

completed his first ever professional hat-trick. It leads to

one obvious question, where has he been hiding his shooting boots all

supply at Victoria Park this season, goals as well. Ryan Noble was kept

out. The offside flag came to Brentford's rescue. A 6th

successive win would have put the Bees within a point of the play-off

places. The travelling fans held their breath. Diagouraga could not

hold his nerve. Last season MK Dons finished 5th before losing to

Peterborough in the play-offs. They seem destined to finish 5th again.

They took the lead with a penalty. Tranmere had a chance to equalise,

but the referee penalised Gary Mackenzie for a push. Jake

Cassidy's kick was saved. They follow it up but indecisively. The

Dons took advantage just before half-time. Stephen Gleeson was

given too much time and space before finishing from eight yards.

Williams added his second, again from the penalty spot after Charlie

MacDonald was held back by David Buchanan. This time he did not need

the help of the goal frame. The the help of the goal frame. The

play offs a wait for Paul Robinson and his team again. It was an

important win for MK Dons. They have been stuttering of late. It

could see the fate sealed for Chesterfield and Exeter, as it is

they lived to see another day. Is it the case of the pressure being

off both of them? I do not think it is as simplistic at that.

Chesterfield have played very well. If they played like that every week,

they would not be getting relegated. Exeter have got some decent players

at this level. They pushed Charlton to the absolute minute -- limit, so

they know what they are capable of. For some unknown reason both those

sites have not managed to string enough results together to stay in

this division. At the other end Notts County boosted their play-off

chance with a hat-trick from Lloyds Sam. He was the only hat-trick

scorer on Monday. It is a question of who you know, Keith cold getting

him from his old pal. It is someone who can help you make that

transition from in and around the play-offs to getting into the play-

offs. He will do more than most to get them a chance of getting into

the position -- division. We should have mentioned Bury as well. They

have given themselves a breathing space. Yes, they have. A huge sigh

of relief all around. It was looking at one stage it would be a

difficult entered the season. a case of consolidating. Yes, they

started very well and it is a good season they did. This is a league

they need to stay in and play on and pushed on from there. You have

to give credit to Ryan Lowe. Absolutely. In League Two and

announcements said Steve Evans had left Crawley to become the new

manager of Rotherham United. It could have ramifications for

fourth-placed Crawley. Their first taste of life after Evans came away

temporary charge of Crawley. All signs pointed to things going

further downhill at Barnet, especially once the Bees took the

lead. The relegation strugglers might be handed a free pass by the

unravelling of the Red Devils. But Brewster pulled off a managerial

masterstroke at the interval. There were two half-time substitutions.

This eclectic strike was out of the reach of the goal caber and

rewarded his new manager's decision to twist rather than to stick. But

not everything played out in Crawley's favour. Sir Joat horrors

joins an incredible -- and ever increasing your list of bookings.

You will wonder if they run out of bodies!. It is a vital when that

looks even more impressive in the light of Steve Evans' departure.

People have opportunity in life and it is up to them to take them and

he has taken it and we wish him everything. He was five years at

the club and that is why it is where it is today. Steve's Evans

becomes a Rotherham's 7th manager, but his arrival in South Yorkshire

may have come too late to take the Miller's enter the play-offs. They

should have taken the lead before the half hour. The penalty kick was

easily saved. Cheltenham need player of poise themselves, but

they were denied by Orion Cresswell. His track record speaks for itself.

I like the drive and the passion, that comes over strong and clear. I

think it is what we need at Rotherham to move as forward. Steve

is a winner and he knows what we want. He also knows how to get it.

Swindon's win over Northampton on New Year's Eve sparked a run of

nine straight wins that saw them soaring to the summit and since

then they have never looked back. But Northampton are a much tougher

prospect these days. Michael Jacobs had the goalkeeper at full-stretch.

The teams went to the brake on bald terms. It now means Paolo Di

Canio's men conceal their return on Saturday. We need to go up. But my

players understand the job is not done. We have to keep attention

very high, but I feel confident because I know my players.

Torquay's promotion challenge is running on pure adrenalin. In the

second half he very nearly took his tally to four goals in four games.

But the linesman had flagged. Oxfords levelled just before the

hour. It was a freak goal that seemed to deflate an already leg

weary Torquay. Cristian Montano was the man to benefit. The Colombian

scored his second goal of the holiday weekend. Their prospects

improved when Ian Morris earned himself some extra recovery time.

He collected two bookings in seven minutes and Torquay finished with

ten men. But the adrenalin was still working wonders for Martin

Lane's men. Oxford have chosen the wrong time for a wobble. Shrewsbury

have the only unbeaten home record in the division and that is why

they are third in the table. They scored the game's only goal. They

should have made certain of the points before half-time. But a rush

of blood to the head saw his shot sailed over the crossbar. Bradford

have now lost their last six away games. The Bantams are still not

safe. The corner-kick routine straight from the training ground

paved the way to success for Southend. It is Brady Eastwood's

second goal since returning from alone. But Paul Sturrock still has

his eye on the top three. Anthony Grant does not get many, but a

great strike set them up nicely. When these two last met, the

Pirates a sheet four goals before half-time. History repeated itself

here. Steve Davis has been impressing upon his team the

importance of starting well in matches. They got things right,

having made it two with barely five minutes gone. It was a similar

story in the second half. Harry Davis scored to conform -- confirm

five wins out of seven. Dagenham & Redbridge had a chance of extending

their Football League state into a 6th season. The Gills revived their

play-off hopes 13 minutes into the second tab. -- second harp. Dominic

Green has not scored this season, but he made this one himself.

Perhaps the Gillingham keeper could have done better. This was not

pretty, not that Plymouth are complaining. Carl Fletcher's team

are taking a big step towards survival courtesy of Alex McDonnell.

That established a 40 minute lead for Argyll who have survived the

several scares. This latest setback kills up any lingering play-off

hopes for Aldershot who continued to dominate after the restart. Sone

Arca, a similar routine had alarm bells are ringing, but Danny hilt

and smacked the post as Plymouth held on for the points. Burton are

enjoying themselves again. Adam border's measured finish put them

on the way to two wins. Prior to that it was 16 games without

victory. Adam Webster had double reason to celebrate. It was his one

hundredth goal for the club. But old habits die hard. Burton made

their fans suffer a little bit longer. Four minutes after the

break more poor defending afforded Danny Carlton all the space he

needed for his 10th goal of the season. But the rejuvenated brewers

now have people queuing up to play the hero. In injury-time that

insanely high boot on Carlton and leads to a more come penalty. Kevin

Ellis and spotted the ball, but the wild celebrations said it all about

a club are suddenly in the ascendancy. Brian Horton has played

for and managed Port Vale. Now trying to keep Macclesfield in the

league is proving a challenge. They had only one a few times this

season. They were second best in the mad. It looks like it was not

going to be the home side's day as they struck the posts again. Their

away record is the worst in the division, but they missed a golden

opportunity to take the lead. This penalty would have scored points at

Twickenham, but his miss was to prove costly. Adam Yates was on the

spot to keep Macclesfield locked in the bottom two. Her third remain

anchored to the bottom of the Football League, but after going to

the break all-square at Accrington, they soon had that sinking feeling.

They were kept afloat by a well Evans free kick that some have

found its way into the bottom corner. That gave Richard O'Kelly's

men just half-an-hour to conjure up bottom four, all of them losing.

Three sides down there, Bonet, Macclesfield and Hereford, they are

not going to be the biggest clubs with the biggest budget, so you

could understand it, but Bradford, probably the biggest club in that

league, certainly they have the most fans, define themselves down

there is extraordinary. We are looking at it, I think they are

going to be all right. Herod but I think play bonnet on Friday night.

If they were to win, I think error that would be out of the equation.

A huge game for both clubs. When you are down and out, like

Macclesfield, it was epitomised, they got a penalty and missed it.

74th minute, a chance to go ahead, I think he slips, to be fair. That

doesn't help. Eight minutes later, they go down the other end, and

they are back where they started. It is certainly difficult, a big

ask. Crawley got off to life without Steve Evans with a good win.

Leroy said on Saturday they didn't understand why he would leave

Crawley to go to Rotherham. What do you think? I think one of the

reasons was for family reasons. When you take into consideration

Rotherham are going to have a brand new stadium, I opened the programme

the other day, they had pictures of the stadium, it looks magnificent.

The chairman will continue to invest, they are ambitious club. I

don't think he was enamoured with Crawley selling players when they

did. Before we go, let's take a bottom clubs. But a big win for

Dagenham and Redbridge, and for Plymouth, moving them away from the

drop zone. Charlton, on the brink they now sit at the bottom of the

table. Wycombe have failed to close Tuesday. The top two will be

playing each other on Friday, that will be a massive game. Bracken can

move into the top six if they win against the royals. -- Brighton.

Doncaster will be relegated if they fail to win on Saturday. Portsmouth

as, desperate for win, are now nine We are on the iPlayer all week, if

you are right -- after extended highlights, you can see them on the