17/03/2012 The Football League Show

Good evening. It is fair to say promotion and relegation issues in

the Football League have been put into perspective alongside the

events of a Fabrice Muamba who collapsed this evening. According

to reports he is in a critical condition and thoughts remain with

him and his family. Steve is with me this evening as we take you

through Saturday's games and we start at the top of the

Championship which looks like a We will see how Sam Allardyce's

hammer has got on, first, the top two were both at away games to

contend with. Millwall were the last team to get the better of

Southampton, knocking them out of the FA Cup last month, but Saints

were hoping to build on a nine- match unbeaten run in the lake.

Rickie Lambert was named the Championship's Player of the Year

and he had an early effort. Maik Taylor perhaps got a touch to it on

his Millwall debut. After a quarter of an hour the home defence was

breached again. Lambert could not miss, although he almost did. Joy

for the travelling Saints fans, same old story for the hosts. With

just one point gained from a possible 18 at the Den. But the

Lions and levelled. That equaliser may have been against the run of

play, but from being a goal up, Southampton found themselves a goal

down before the break. A special shot from Paul Robinson, his first

goal in over a year. Millwall 2-1 and on the way to getting the

better of the Saints again and they almost had a third. It would prove

to be a crucial moment as with just five minutes away Rickie Lambert

was tripped by Robinson and Southampton had a lifeline. Lambert

took the penalty himself to a level for the Saints. That is how to take

a spot kick under pressure. But it was not the end of the drama. Three

minutes later Alan Dunn was penalised for handball, another

Rickie Lambert claimed his 8th goal in his last five appearances, his

It was very tough. We had a good lead and Kelvin Davis made a

crucial save at 2-1, which would have made it 3-1 for us. It was a

defining moment. It gave them the opportunity to stay in the game and

then there were two big calls at the end by the referee. For the

first one it was a penalty, Robinson clipped his feet. In the

last couple of minutes the referee gives a penalty, a big talking

point. He has got a clear view and he has made a quick decision on it.

Both the players have got their arms in the air. Is it our player

or is it theirs? One would say it was theirs and somebody else would

say it is ours. Hayden Mullins made the first Reading start after

moving from Portsmouth. His team's eight-match winning run came to an

end during the week. It was a tight first half. Luke Steele was tested.

It was 0-0 by the break, but the second half would be very different.

Jason Roberts did very well to set up Joe bee enough. The captain

calmly put his team ahead. Barnsley boss Keith Hill said he was

appalled by his team's recent form with just one win in eight. Jem

Karacam doubled the Reading lead. But his second and Reading's third

was something special. How is this for a strike from the Turkish

midfielder who had scored only once before this game? Enough was enough

for some of the Barnsley fans and it would not get any better for

those who stayed. Jason Roberts had been a threat all afternoon and he

scored in the final minute. That is nine victories out of 10 for

upwardly-mobile Reading. We got stronger as the game went on. We

look stronger as the season goes on and we played some good stuff at

the end. They are one of the most effective teams we have played

against this season. What happened after that was down to lack of

belief, confidence, self-esteem and it can drain you. Let's start with

Reading's victory at Barnsley. There is no sign of Brian

McDermott's men letting up at the minute. They are a very consistent

team and I set the emphasis on a team because everybody seems to

know their role and seems to be playing their roles very well. We

got three different scorers again today. A terrific second half

performance. As for Southampton, talk about drama, two penalties

from Rickie Lambert. He says he relishes the challenge of being up

at the business end of the table and they are rising to it. He is

certainly rising to it. They have got themselves in a decent position,

I do not know what Alan Dunn is doing, he decides to punch the ball

over his own goal. This lad has not missed a penalty for Southampton.

He reminds me of Matt Le Tissier. He went the same way twice. He did,

but he is so confident. Whatever you say, whenever you see him

stepping up to take the penalty, do not expect him to miss. Those

results met West Ham would have to win to maintain the pressure on the

top two. They were looking for an 11th away win at Leeds. There was a

great atmosphere at Elland Road for the meeting of two of the League's

the Premier League than out of it and they believe they have the

stature to grace it once again. Neil Warnock has targeted another

22 points from Leeds' final 10 games to secure that top-six finish.

His defence are demonstrating all the right qualities. But just two

goals scored in that time is a genuine concern. Leeds are

unchanged. Having failed to win at their last four home games, West

Ham may well be looking forward to this trip. Nicky Maynard is enough.

Danny Collins makes his first start. Carlton Cole is squeezed to the

bench as the Hammers opt for just commitment, can you? Plenty of

endeavour to admire. The West Ham players are having to be patient.

Maynard with a little claims. Good goalkeeping by Andy Lonergan. Sam

Allardyce is reflecting on the best chance of the match so far. Just a

waiting. It is right on the edge of the area. Taylor is saying it hit

his chest. But he is not going to change anyone's mind. The ball

bounced up and hit him. The assistant said it was a handball,

but his arm was out. It is difficult to see. Leeds have a free

kick on the edge of the area. That was just beyond the post. Rob Green

hurled himself across to get there. He thought it might well have gone

into the corner. How far is that beyond the far post. It is a foot

The assistant had a good view of it. Glenn Turner just appointed for a

Ham are a man down now. Tomkins I think it is. It is just a pool.

They are sometimes the most damaging injuries. It will not

count, it is a foul. It was a foul before Snodgrass put it in. The

referee is signalling a foul. Neil Warnock never got the chance to

celebrate. Snodgrass turned it in, but the whistle had already blown.

Some tussling on the near post. Sam Allardyce with a half-time cup of

looking at the heavens and suggesting that maybe he is unlucky

not to score that. He came across his marker. We have not seen too

much from Leeds in an attacking sense. A free kick to Leeds. That

The best save of the match to deny background there is tetchers frayed.

-- tempered frayed. If you weren't aware of the significance of this

game, these picture will tell you. Becchio is furious, O'Brien is

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

Warnock hoping, maybe even by Becchio! And Leeds are ahead! Oh

he loves it, Neil Warnock. Just before that corner was taken, he

had a lot of a guy who just sensed, just sensed that maybe it was

coming. And Becchio, right in front of the cross bar, heads it in.

Connelly's back header and there is Becchio. And he just flicks it into

the unguarded goal and with just over six minutes to go, a huge goal

for Leeds United. A huge goal in the race for promotion. It is Leeds

tipped over the bar. They're not there yet, Leeds. McCartney pushing

forward. Lonergan couldn't take the risk of catching it. Sam

Allardyce's men pushing for an equaliser and the equaliser arrives

and it is Collins. His first goal for West Ham. Well he has only been

a West Ham employee for days, there is a wry smile on Sam Allardyce's

face. He is a rare scorer, Danny Collins, but he got there when

Leeds felt they might be getting towards those that he points.

Scored three goals on loan at Ipswich earlier this season. And in

only his second appearance for West Ham, he has scored another vital

one for them. And now it is the West Ham fans are who are singing,

going through the song books as Forssell heads it wide. It was

always going off target. Helped on always going off target. Helped on

by Becchio. Away from getting your best spell coming towards the

latter stages of game, we just failed to produce that bit of

quality you need to either finish a chance or create a chance. And we

got some quality to create some chances, but we couldn't find the

quality apart from the header from Danny to disRupp them. It is good

to be disappointed when you haven't beat West Ham. But the young lad's

got to learn. The referee's in a great position for corner and Cole

kicks o' day. You got to hope you get the rub of the green. -- O'Dea.

Things like that are what it isers like Southampton, you need a bit of

luck and West Ham got their fair share. How does it feel to grab

that equaliser? It feels good. We thought we had lost, we have dug in

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

and come up with the goal. At the That was Becchio. He is just

standing his ground. Is there aren't aren't in his back? There is

not an awful lot. The reaction from Neil can't have it one way and the

other way. West Ham had a shout for a penalty? Yes, Michael Brown comes

across. I don't know what he is trying to do, whether he is trying

get his arm out of way. I wouldn't have Reich -- liked to see either

team win. Leeds are harder to beat. They have just conceded two in five

games. Burr they had a chance and thought they were in the pole

position to snatch it. Five points from the play office. Can they do

it? I have seen them that length over the last Three games,

Southampton they were God. Middlesbrough they were excellent

and this is against one of the top sides. And more than held their own.

So five points at this stage, there is no reason why they can't. West

Ham, five points off top spot and they were the pre-season favourites

to win. But they're making hard work of it. Yes, their away form

has been good. And we see that with sides that play this way, the 4-3-3,

where first they're tough to play against. And they can break on the

counter. I don't know about at home, whether that balance is the same.

We will have to wait and see, but their home must improve. Now to the

teams around the play off and that list was led by Middlesbrough who

travelled to another team desperate for a top six fin i Birmingham. --

for a top six fin i Birmingham. -- finish. It has been a long season

for Birmingham. This was their 50th match of the season. The Blues had

slipped out of play off places. But the keeper was equal to this effort.

Middlesbrough were behind after six minutes, Siggic -- Zigic stooping

to score. The Blues -' home form has kept them in contention. Burke

tried from distance, but couldn't beat the keeper. Middlesbrough were

the fist team to play Birmingham at St Andrews over a century ago. But

Bennett's goal was ruled out for offside. Burke was recognised by

Championship managers as one of the ten best players at this level and

when he set up King it was his 13th assist of the season. More than any

other Championship player. Just three minutes later visitors

conceded again. Hamill lost possession to Fahey and the winger

just kept running and running. He then had the finish to match. The

game was all but over. But Blues' keeper produced a superb save from

Hines in the closing moments. So a return to winning ways on St

Patrick's Day for the former republic of Ireland player, Chris

republic of Ireland player, Chris Hughton. We got to where we have

been and some of the mistakes we have made in the last few weeks, we

didn't make today. It was a real didn't make today. It was a real

good all round team performance. Gus boy yet got the Football

League's award. -- boy yet. They went ahead at bloobg field road.

Blackpool had lost their last two and need to find form quickly. But

they're the only side to have scored in every Championship game

in 2012 and that is still the case as they levelled. Within three

minutes, the hosts were ahead. In his 38th appearance of the season,

Kevin Phillips scored his 14th goal in all competitions. Brighton's

hopes were dealt a blow when Jara lunged at Southern and the referee

decided to send the Chilean off. His first red after seven sell

yellows this season -- seven yellows this season and Phillips

again finished Albion off with ten minutes left, to inflict a first

minutes left, to inflict a first league defeat of the year on

Brighton. I would prefer to keep the unbeaten run, but we were poor

today. We didn't make good decisions. We didn't deserve

anything. It is a great result. We needed it. Probably the biggest sft

needed it. Probably the biggest sft on so far. - Of the season so far.

Undefeated in ten, Hull headed to London searching for their first

victory at Palace in 27 years. Evans showed why they only have 16

goals in 17 away games. Palace have only scored 18 in 16 at home.

Martin tried his luck. Palace's best chance came on the stroke of

half time. Williams without a league goal this season shooting

straight at the keeper. His opposite number, Speroni was called

into action in the sec half to deal with this free kick. Despite their

best effort s, neither side could break the deadlock. Both sides

extendsing that are unbeaten runs. Palace to nine, Hull to 11. A very

positive day for us, we showed we're in the top six and we have

nothing to fear. Not a lot in it. It is good to know that we can come

up with team like that and compete. I'm pleased with the points. It is

a tough place to come to win or draw. They will take a lot of

points off teams. They're a good side. Wl drilled side. So you know

it has been a good week for us. in form teams met at the keep motor

stadium. Derby have five. Derby struck first in the 13th minute,

Robinson chipping the keeper and claiming his eighth league goal of

the season. Doncaster had several chances to go in level at the break.

They have some well travelled names. Good work from Diouf presented

their best attempt. But they couldn't beat the keeper. Why is it

that players always score against their former clubs Maybe they

should ask Roberts who did that with a superb effort to double his

team's advantage. It was his first for Derby in 57 starts. Whereas the

2011 Doncaster team may have folded, the twept 12 model fought back,

Diouf with the finish. After a flick on from Barnes. The Rams cowl

have had a third, but Green strayed offside and two days before his

birthday, Nigel Clough got an early present and Dean Saunders got

nothing. The half chances we had didn't go in and the didn't fizzle

out, but I thought Darby deserved the points. To get the two wins

today on the back of the effort on Tuesday, a great effort. Four

points from safety and without a win on their travels this season,

it is possible that Coventry went to Watford more in hope than

expectations. Watford must have known their luck was in when

Cameron's effort was disaloud. Cusack was the busier of the

keepers and did well to keep of the home defence. But Adrian

Mariappa was in the right place at the right time. Revenge is a dish

best served cold and maybe damp as well as Ipswich welcome to

Peterborough to Portman Road. Goals are almost inevitable in games

involving these two. Since Tyrone Barnard arrived from Crawley,

Peterborough look even more potent. The scoring bug at Ipswich is

catching. It's Grant Leadbitter had scored once this season. To Enders

have seen him earn that tag prolific. But in four meetings

Peterborough have never lost a league match to Ipswich. It was

Tyrone Barnett who brought them level. Damien Delaney's header was

saved, but Daryl Murphy followed up to put the Tractor Boys 2-1 ahead.

But the visitors equalised seven minutes from time. Emile Sinclair

looked to have denied Ipswich victory. But just two minutes later

Aaron Cresswell went into the record books as the first Ipswich

player to score a winning goal against the Posh. At times it was

end-to-end. Anyone who has been watching the game, neutral or

otherwise, I cannot say they were not entertain. It was a great

advert for Championship football. The big stand out has been when we

have been in control of games and we have not taken our chances. That

would cost an extra 12 or 15 points. Something we have to learn for the

next season. Bottom of the Championship and seemingly losing

players by the date to lower the wage bill, these are tough times

for Pompeii. But the fans still turned out in force for the visit

of Bristol City. It was a tight first half during which David

Norris was the only player to register a shot on target. David

James made the save. But he did not look quite so confident when Chris

Maguire says in a cross. Thankfully for the former Pompey keeper it

came to nothing. The Robins are floundering themselves right now

and have won just one of their last nine. Kalife Cisse almost wrong-

footed trainee Ashdown. Pompeii had a great chance to claim all the

points. But Norris could not find the finish. More departures are not

out of the question at Fratton Park. Everybody knows it a substantial

offer comes and it is right for the player and the club, we might have

to lose a few more. But I cannot think like that, I have to prepare

the players I have got. If the player gets a phone call, we will

deal with that from there. Both teams set out to win the game, but

you do not always get what you want. The positive is it is another point

Not the ideal resort for Portsmouth, but relief for Birmingham, the

first win in five. It was a big win to keep them in the play-off race.

Yes, absolutely. The manner of the performance was good as well. They

looked good going forward. I thought they were reasonably well

in control of the game right the way through. And characteristic of

Middlesbrough to concede five in the last two games. I think Tony

Mowbray will have a look at the video and think, we could have done

better on some occasions. A few defensive frailties to work on.

latest from Blackpool against Brighton. Blackpool are now nine

points better off and we all know what happened at the end of two

seasons ago. They have benefited from being in the Premiership. The

infrastructure in the club means they can come back into the

Championship and instead of having one good year in six, bacon maybe

have three or four good years in six. That is what is happening,

they are having a good year. They are getting their just deserts.

get the idea Kevin Phillips is going to have a big say about what

happens to Blackpool. If I was 37 or 38 like Kevin Phillips, I do not

think it is the worst place to go. Doncaster lost to Derby. They

suddenly found it with renewed hope they could try and get into the

play-offs. They are probably not going to go a lot lower and

Leicester with a game in hand, they have to need to win that. When you

get into the bottom of the table, it is not so much, we can make

those points, you have to look at the number of teams you have to get

above as well. The Willie Mackay experiment has not taken off, has

it? There is probably a lopsided look to their side. There are big

name players there. But one win in 11 means they have not really found

the genie in the bottle yet. Still work to be done. Not possibly the

way I would go about it. He possibly need to put some

foundations in, a long-term strategy. But that is the way they

have gone and they have got to hope they can get a couple of wins.

to League One and a month ago at Gary Megson was leading Sheffield

Wednesday's charge for automatic promotion. Four weeks on it has

As a couple of the Football League's longest serving teams,

there is very little or the fans have not seen over the years. But

the owners still managed to raise a few eyebrows when the managers were

dispensed of a on successive weekends, so far with desired

effect. Notts County have been reinvigorated with 16 points from a

possible 18 to move into a play-off place. What was your remit?

first was to stay in the division and then to get the players

confident, expressing themselves and building foot of foundations.

The infrastructure is here, but they needed a slight change in

philosophy. There must be nervousness when a new guy comes in.

What is he going to be like? They say get through the first two weeks

with the new manager and for us the first two weeks were pretty good.

Have you changed a lot? I have enjoyed the coaching side of

football. Ultimately I like players to express themselves. Weekly,

daily, match-by-match. I was a little bit dubious, but he has done

a fantastic job. He has surprised us all. A lot of people in

Sheffield I know. There is a belief and people believe what is coming

out of the changing room and the players have created a wave. It is

still very early days for Dave Jones at Sheffield Wednesday, but

his new team have closed the gap. I the margins for error getting

tighter and tighter? You know exactly what you chairman wants to

deliver. In what way? Try to get that second automatic promotion

spot. It is always going to be tight. If you finish third from top

you are dead. There is always pressure wherever you go. It is

pressure I take every day of the week because it is something I

enjoy doing, it is my life. It is always nice to be at the top end

rather than the bottom end. Margins seem to be getting ever tighter

from what you need for a manager. No room to manoeuvre, automatic

promotion or bus? There is no guarantee in football, but for a

club likes Sheffield Wednesday, no disrespect for other clubs,

Sheffield Wednesday is massive and Sheffield Wednesday is massive and

with a surge from midfield which left three players trailing in his

wake, whilst Ryan Lowe was making a beeline for the six yard box,

unmarked. Gary Madine bamboozled a pair of defenders before finding

the corner superbly. When stay on course for a third straight win and

their first league double over and get as many points as we

possibly can, but everybody has their feet on the ground and there

is a long way to go. That is what they have got to do. There is no

magic formula. The formula is having a good bunch of players who

want to work hard and want to play in front of 4500 away supporters.

Now we go on Tuesday and the chairman will be happy if I can put

more bottoms on seats. It is the best unit or squad of players we

have played against this season. They have got a good benched that

can come on and change games as well. They have got a game plan and

they do not let you set off. It is not about the conditions of the

Rather than us. Dave Jones came out on top on Saturday and he has it

that -- hit the green running. Has he surprise you? No, maybe they are

just plain with a little bit more freedom and it does not surprise me

they are getting results. Keith had to win over some of the doubters

including the chairman's wife was said, you'd better know what you

are doing and he is doing OK. he is doing fine. A couple of 1-0

wins. Five out of seven, has elevated them from the bottom of

the table. They are in with a good chance now. They could have done

without that today, to be fair. leaders Charlton must be bemused at

recent events having lost their last two League games, that first

time this has happened this season. They headed north to face

Powell and his squad had a frank discussion in the week. It

initially he looked as if the soul- searching might have done the trick.

Bradley Wright-Phillips had the addicts up and running. But

Scunthorpe were slightly confident for this once and are enjoying

their longest unbeaten run for years. Jon Parkin fuelled the

Scunthorpe revival. The second half was all Scunthorpe. His save from

Andy Bartram was one of many. thought the players gave everything

they possibly could. The only thing that was missing was the final bit,

but what an unbelievable effort. We are playing top of the league and

coming off the back of how many games, I do not know, and we

finished really strongly. It has been a fairy-tale start for the

Tranmere boss, but he could hardly have picked a more testing trip for

his first game on the road. This was far from a one-sided contest.

Nine minutes after the break Lucas Akins got the goal and Tranmere

enough, but the Blades are looking We have had enough of the ball to

do that. But you have got to say how well they defended. We played a

t a high tempo. I didn't feel the tempo we normally have was there.

But the laveds gave Eigg. On another day -- the lads gave Eigg.

On another day we could have nicked it. -- the the lad lads gave

everything. Ten goals in eleven games for Stephen Gillespie, who

clearly couldn't believe his luck. Ward hit the wodwork after the

break. But the Terrier' fate seem ed to be -- - seemed to be saled. -

- sealed. The Huddersfield stopper doing a good job. But then an

unlikely last gasp assist cancelled out the mistake. This own goal

giving Huddersfield their 11th away draw of the season. Having been

measured for their Wembley suits, cheer the field started smartly --

Chester field started smartly. Barring a shock result against

Huders feelt the Spireite will go to the final top of League One. The

Irish march scored a memorable equaliser. The teenager was inches

away from becoming an instant Lee row. -- hero. Bradbury was given a

vote of confidence by the chairman, but after five defeats, the fans

haven't been as forgiving. So a good start against Carlisle was

important. But this goal cranked up the pressure. If Bradbury has the

backing from the board room. He has it from the players,ed ason with

the equaliser. -- Addison with the equaliser. Not much to shout about

at Victoria Park, back-to-back goalless outings for Hartlepool.

Despite the best efforts of Baldwin. Steve naidge, who won for first

time in six games last week were back in the old routine. --

Stevenage. They are just outside of the play off pack. A local derb y

gave Orient the chance to get their Fir win of year. -- first win of

the year. Not enough desire was the verdict of the manager. This was as

good as it got for the Bs. With a daunting fixture list, this may be

a season defining game for Orient. They wrapped things up through

Smith. Their first win in six. On their own patch, Yeovil are a touch

-- touch prospect. This gave them an idea of what to expect. But the

Saddlers' run suggested they wouldn't be push overs and Mantom

scored his first goal since arriving from West Brom. But that

lead was wiped out just past the hour when Franks took aim A giant

deflection off his team mate had Yeovil level and their leading

scorer claimed his 14th of the campaign. Williams is in form, but

it is not just his scoring that catches the eye. He can create them

too. This cross set up Parrot, who was denied by the keeper. With six

minutes to go, Yeovil stretched their unbeaten run at home to six,

Williams hooking home to leave Walsall just a point clear of

trouble. In their attempt to climb off the bottom, Rochdale got the

start they wanted. A third minute goal from siems, hi first since

joining -- siems, his first since joining on loan. But Kuqi equalised

for Oldham. A sharp finish was not a bad start. That was just two

minutes after the break. Simes then got the chance to get a hat trick

from the spot. Oldham were missing Filipe Morais, hospitalised with

concussion after a car crash. The Latics had hope of a come back, but

were heading for a fourth successive defeat. Rochdale with

their first win in seven matches. And to round off Oldham's day,

another yellow card for the defender and he beat the rest back

to the dressing room. A long awaited second win for Preston and

a personal land Mork for Ian Hume, -- landmark for Ian Hume. Pull

Tisdale says Exeter's injury crisis is the worst he has seen. But they

had their moments. Cureton denied. Exeter's injurys have given

youngsters their chance to shine. They goal looked like heaping for

frustration on Preston. But Preston won wit six minutes remaining. --

it with six minutes remaining. The keeper took the wrong moment to go

wandering from his line. A special day for wick come's Gary Waddock

and Stuart Evans. His leading marksman was the leading light.

McCoy's cross was left by Hayes and Bevan gid the -- did the rest.

Bury's dismal start to the year looks set to continue. But they

were level just seven minutes later. A pulsating start and within 60

seconds, Waddock's men were back in the driving seat. McCoy too

slippery for Skarz. And Hayes could not miss. Bury's winless run would

stretch to 11 matches unless they could respond. This push gave them

a possible break through. But when it mattered, they failed. That was

the turn point as Wycombe coasted to convict havery. -- to victory.

This could be a significant win for the Chair Boys, who have dragged

Bury into the relegation dog fight. Bevan with a superb hat trick. Bury

the first team since 1932 to lose three matches on the trot 4 will

have 1. -- 4-1. An eventful game at have 1. -- 4-1. An eventful game at

spot landss. But a cracking goal that didn't count for much. No Kuqi

will, he will not score a better will, he will not score a better

one. The power and the elevation of the strike, I don't think you could

better that. Another hat trick we saw from Michael Simes, it ends a

frustrating time for them. But they have not been too far off. I'm not

sure it is a true reflection of how they have played, they have drawn

with Hud irs fields, Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton. They have

been knocking on the door. They have benefited from the influx of

money into Bournemouth. They have let Michael Simes going and thv

acquired his services and he was the difference today. They may not

have picked up the wins, but they're getting the performances.

Another man scoring, Andy Williams at Yeovil. He is scoring them from

all sorts of angles. And from all parts of his body. This one as you

can see, comes back, it is a good strike, it hits him opt back and

loops into the goal. -- hits him on the back. And obviously if you look

at this, he is trying to volley it. It is probably going wide, but

takes a deflection off the defender. When things are going for you, like

most centre forwards, you find, you have got to be in the right place

at the right time. It doesn't matter what part it hits. That is

what he has done. Gary Johnson continues to do well in charge at

Yeovil. And the same for Ronnie Moore in his third spell at

Tranmere. They had a wretched away form and they come away with a

decent point. Don't think Sheffield United koon Vinced in this game.

There was a chance - Okon Vinced in this game. There was a chance --

convinced in this game. There was a chance they would equalise. But

going back to Tranmere he has turned things around. We mentioned

the hat trick for Stuart Bevan. So Bury haven't won in 11 games. Their

fans will be concerned they have one of the least experienced

managers at the wrong ends of the table. But survival is the target?

Yes there is no doubt. I imagine if somebody said what is your braef,

it would be to stay in the division. -- brief. But they have got their

points early and they have hit a bad spell and they are the droppers

and this happens in most of the league, you get some sides that

drop down quickly. If they had done it the other way rounds and got in

this position, everything would be fine. They're five points above

relegation. If you had given them this at the start they would have

taken. And Wycombe with Gary Waddock celebrating his 50th birts

day. He will be relieved. -- birthday. They have won three out

of five. They swing from one result to another. They lose 4-1 and then

win 4-2. He will wonder what he is doing. But if they continue in the

same vain, and get the same results, and replicate that to the end of

season, they will probably stay up. He will settle for that.

Swindon keep on rolling with 12 wins in 13. On Saturday, the latest

team to try to upset them was in old Nick Powell. He was named as

apprentice of the year. And he extended his scoring strike to five

in as many games. The set back for the leaders who found themselves in

more trouble in the second half. Westwood with an easy route to goal

against a team who have won 12 of the their last 13 games. That other

slip up came this month. Cause for concern that the pacesetters are

rung out of luck at the wrong time. Ferry was cursing his luck before

this went wide. The bar did a job for Crewe, also repelling Benson.

The team at the top should play like we did in the last few minutes.

But today the fault in the first series for me, because probably I

lost in the last few weeks my humility. With his future as Burton

boss in doubt, Torquay were the last side Paul Peschisolido wanted

to play. They cruised to another win. The ease with which Torquay

took their lead may have quickened Paul Peschisolido's post-match

sacking. Not that the mistakes were confined to the home side. Albion

were in it, and there was a coming together. Richards had the decency

not the celebrate too much. With five promotions as a player and one

as a manager, Martin Ling knows what it takes to take a side up and

says mental strength is the key. But abilities like this helps. Howe

Without a win in 14 games, his reign ended with a whimper. Burton

were awarded an injury-time penalty. You cannot blame the manager for

Justin Richards' de Gomez. That double miss. It did not help. You

do not always get the breaks when you are down at the bottom, but for

once a month Plymouth got a bit of luck against Shrewsbury. Alex

Madog's great effort. The promotion chasers set about preparing the

damage. Argyle held on to climb out initial shot went across the line.

The Essex club stretched their lead just past the half hour, Bennion

quick to react. Chris Barker sold his keeper short.R Keane beat him

from the spot. For a while there was hope for the strugglers, but

their prospects of collecting anything from the match was gone

thanks to Ryan Hall's daisy cutter. Nathan Elder's effort two minutes

from the end was not enough. have had a slight problem at losing

late goals which has cost us dear and it is preying on people's minds.

We sat back and tried to keep what we had and it is a dangerous game

and we paid the price. With only nine games left, Charlton and have

chosen the wrong time for a wobble. The Robins recorded a third

straight defeat with Jordan Obita making the most of lax defending.

They had four players suspended, and six out injured. But Jordan

Obita helped himself to a third goal. Mark Yeates called this the

Robbins' worst performance of the season. But Gillingham deserved the

plaudits for this performance. Chris Whelpdale finished off the

wind. -- winner. A seven-match run without a win has threatened to

derail Crawley. Mark Richards continues to lead from the front.

Just past the half hour he put the travellers in front. The home side

were keen to impress on their home patch. Barely clerk's teasing cross

dropped perfectly for Sergio Torres. All square heading to the break.

Two minutes after it Crawley's hopes were given a timely boost. A

second yellow card immense red, putting the odds firmly in

Crawley's favourite. But Port Vale refused to settle for a draw. Louis

Dodds restored the advantage. Gary Alexander might just be the man to

fill the void. He squared the scores. His 17th goal of a

productive campaign soon followed. Debutante Leon Clarke cued him up.

I said, we have to be brave. We have to give the supporters a

reason to get behind us. Or spurred were out to maintain their play-off

challenge against Rotherham. Scott Rendell struck the first blow. The

flags at other words, but crucially it stays down when he was given a

clear run on goal just before the break. He had plenty of time to

think and kept his nerve. Seven minutes into the second half,

Oxford seemed to be sitting pretty. A second was three thrashed into

the roof of the Miller's' net. Reece Taylor kept them in the

contest to deny hall a second. With seven minutes remaining there was

renewed hope for Andy Scott's site. Lewis Grabban reduced the deficit.

Two-to-one, but Oxford did not crumble, instead forcing a

desperate goal-line clearance. It was matched at the other end as the

Barnet had to show for dominating the first half against Morecambe.

Instead the Bees fell behind thanks to a howler from Liam O'Brien.

Kevin Ellison has not got to 17 goals by missing chances like that.

Victory at Barnet last season for Morecambe and this year, almost a

yet later, they made sure of the when. If the Bees are to avoid the

drop, they have to get busy. Lewis Alexander's miss was about the only

thing that went Barnett's way. Aldershot were chasing a 5th

successive home win, but Bradford made life difficult. The Bantams

continued to cause problems. James Hanson had a pair of defenders in a

flap. Wilco reserves settled the contest, the Namibian striker in

just the right place to notch his first for the club. Paul Cook can

finally celebrate a went as Accrington manager. Northampton had

just won three on the trot. That terrific shot was just a warning.

160 nine-minute the Cobblers were level. It was scruffy, but Brett

Williams will not be complaining as he scored with his first touch.

Accrington looked to be heading for another., but snatched the lot just

before the end. Craig Lindfield. But there was time for a final

scared. Northampton nearly saved the game. Mark McGhee says he is

demanding higher standards from his upwardly-mobile Bristol Rovers side.

There was plenty to admire about Mustafa Carayol's opener. The

skipper Matt kill almost claimed the first golf. But it is clean

sheets that have been behind Roper's's rise. -- Bristol Rovers'

rise. A crunch game down at the bottom as Dagenham look to stay in

touch with their survival rivals. That established a 16 minute lead

for the London club who would have been back at square one had it not

been for the crossbar. When Macclesfield's defence went wrong,

they had a chance to settle it. But Medy Elito wrapped up the points

with his second of the match. The That could be vital for them. With

Burton Albion, no win in 14, hardly surprising the manager is leaving.

It is getting progressively worse. It would not have been a massive

surprise too poor to know his job was on the line. They lost to a

very good tour quayside. Two defeats in 16. He has done

brilliantly well. He has been out of the Football League for the last

couple of years. Yes, he was at Cambridge man. But this has been a

fantastic season so far for him. It is a thoroughly deserved win for

him. They have elevated themselves into the automatics and they are

the Shakers and the movers and they are the team in form. 17 clean

sheets and a very good season. They know how to win a game. There is no

doubt about that. If they get ahead, they know how to close again out.

Steve Davis at crew making a statement since he has been in

charge. No 8 the statement of beating the leaders Swindon Town.

They have won 12 of their last 13. You have seen Nick Powell in action.

He is a great player, he has got great technique. Crew remind be a

little bit of West Ham. It is not just about results with them.

academy. They want to play with style and panache. That is what

they are trying to do. It was difficult to get the balance at the

start of the season, but now they have got consistency and results

away as well. At the other end of the table we have got Plymouth who

got themselves an invaluable when, it has to be said. We have got a

player who has come back and scored a great goal for them. I am not

sure the goalkeeper would say it was a great goal, Chris Niel. But

at the end of the season that might be a defining moment in Plymouth's

attempt to stay up. A big moment for them. Before we go, let's take

Southend and Shrewsbury swap positions. Dagenham's stay at the

bottom despite their win over Macclesfield. Plymouth went at out

of the bottom two. There are only five points separating the bottom

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

Ipswich were the early winners in the bottom half on Saturday

afternoon. If you missed any of tonight's goals, they are on the