:00:25. > :00:29.Evening. The Christmas rush has officially begun in the Npower
:00:29. > :00:32.Football League. For many teams, today saw the 1st of 5 games in
:00:32. > :00:35.just 22 days - a spell that could make or break a season, as sides
:00:35. > :00:38.bag as many points as possible. Well, tonight we'll find out who
:00:38. > :00:41.kicked off the festive season with that winning feeling, in the
:00:41. > :00:47.company of Leroy Rosenior. And here's a taster of what's coming up
:00:47. > :00:50.this evening. It was 3rd v 4th in the Championship's Game of the Day
:00:50. > :00:52.as Cardiff took on Middlesbrough. Could the Bluebirds extend their
:00:52. > :01:02.winning run and boost their own promotion hopes going into the
:01:02. > :01:04.promotion hopes going into the Barmby's Hull - they were looking
:01:04. > :01:14.to enhance their own promotion credentials when Millwall visited
:01:14. > :01:16.
:01:16. > :01:19.in these parts. He wears red and white and doesn't mind sitting at
:01:19. > :01:23.the top of the tree. I'm at a freezing cold Valley, with about
:01:23. > :01:30.ten layers of clothing on, and I'm spending the day with the League
:01:30. > :01:33.company with Phil Brown, we've extended highlights of their game
:01:33. > :01:42.with high-flying MK Dons, a team that has Charlton very much in
:01:42. > :01:45.Well, we start in the Welsh Capital where Cardiff were looking to
:01:45. > :01:48.continue their dramatic rise up the league table. Unbeaten in 11 in all
:01:48. > :01:51.competitions, Malkay McKay's new- look side began the day in 3rd,
:01:51. > :01:54.proving to be the dark horses this season. Their opponents were the
:01:54. > :02:04.team just below them Middlesbrough, whose success has been based on the
:02:04. > :02:08.
:02:08. > :02:12.league's stingiest defence. target. Cardiff City are the form
:02:13. > :02:16.team with three defeats all season. Middlesbrough boast the best
:02:16. > :02:22.defensive record in the division. Only goal difference keeps them
:02:22. > :02:32.below. Cardiff City make one change. Gunnarsson returns in midfield.
:02:32. > :02:42.
:02:42. > :02:52.Philip cueist returns -- drops to changes. There is a first league
:02:52. > :03:15.
:03:15. > :03:21.Lovely cross to the near post. It was a clear sight on goal. Mark
:03:21. > :03:31.Hodson challenge to the Nigerian. The ball went over the bar. -- Mark
:03:31. > :03:40.
:03:40. > :03:46.Jason Steele raced out of his penalty area. Nick Naughton
:03:46. > :03:51.clattered into the Cardiff City full-back. The Cardiff City fans
:03:51. > :04:01.certainly feel there was a case for a penalty. But the referee waved
:04:01. > :04:12.
:04:12. > :04:16.scoring for Middlesbrough on his first start for her the team. The
:04:16. > :04:21.Nigerian international with a deflected shot. He has been sharp
:04:21. > :04:24.in training this week. He has stayed behind for extra training
:04:25. > :04:31.sessions. Finding the back of the net, catching the eye of Tony
:04:31. > :04:41.Mowbray. One hit, slight deflection and David Marshall was beaten for
:04:41. > :05:06.
:05:06. > :05:16.Jo Bennett. Conway with an intelligent ball, found when. --
:05:16. > :05:18.
:05:18. > :05:21.found width. Bennett was alert. Cardiff City have an equaliser! Ben
:05:21. > :05:26.Turner will love that. It was his deflection that gave Middlesbrough
:05:26. > :05:31.the opening goal. Now the Cardiff City defender has restored parity.
:05:31. > :05:36.What a time to score your first goal of the season. It was a
:05:37. > :05:46.scruffy connection but he won't mind that. Lovely delivery by
:05:47. > :06:06.
:06:06. > :06:16.Argentinian caught. -- Cowley. It will be a free kick. Arca came in
:06:16. > :06:18.
:06:18. > :06:28.from behind and just bundled over Hussain has somehow been kept out
:06:28. > :06:56.
:06:56. > :07:01.by a combination of the defender Cardiff City defence. -- to the
:07:01. > :07:07.pump. McDonald went down under the challenge of Andrew Taylor. There
:07:07. > :07:17.was not a penalty given but the shot came in. Excellent defending
:07:17. > :07:27.
:07:27. > :07:37.front. It was brilliant from Miller. And Alan Gunnarsson with a cool
:07:37. > :07:37.
:07:37. > :07:44.finish. Look at that, craft, precision, Cardiff are now in front.
:07:44. > :07:54.He was running away, the back heel inside. And Aaron Gunnarsson, look
:07:54. > :08:04.at that. Phil Steele -- Jason Steele was brave. Gunnarsson had
:08:04. > :08:14.
:08:14. > :08:24.will win the free kick. Andrew Taylor is the offender. The
:08:24. > :08:27.
:08:27. > :08:37.He might blow his cheeks because he was a marked. It was a clear cut
:08:37. > :08:46.
:08:46. > :08:51.Middlesbrough! It was an incisive move by Tony Mowbray's side. It was
:08:51. > :08:57.a pinpoint cross. Meat and drink for Scott McDonald, the Australian
:08:57. > :09:05.international. He has got Middlesbrough level. It was
:09:06. > :09:12.Bailey's ball that spotted the overlapping run. He could not miss.
:09:12. > :09:22.Far too much room. The Cardiff defender went astray. It was a
:09:22. > :09:40.
:09:40. > :09:47.Great stop. The rebound is over the crossbar. It was Miller and Miller
:09:47. > :09:57.again. Running in one direction, and the back heel to his man,
:09:57. > :10:06.
:10:06. > :10:13.Whittingham. Whittingham's shot was Robson need support. -- needs
:10:13. > :10:22.support. Haroun is the target. He has scored a brilliant goal from
:10:22. > :10:32.Middlesbrough. It is a LGBT to send the Teesside faithful into raptures.
:10:32. > :10:39.
:10:39. > :10:49.-- A Belgian beauty. How about that for Middlesbrough. What an
:10:49. > :11:04.
:11:04. > :11:14.important goal that could be. -- it cleared by Cardiff City. A 4th goal
:11:14. > :11:18.
:11:18. > :11:25.would have sent all three points back to the north-east. The Belgian
:11:25. > :11:35.had his arm wrapped around Mason. Did he hold him back? He certainly
:11:35. > :11:44.
:11:44. > :11:54.did. It was a silly free kick to be one of those days for Cardiff
:11:54. > :12:08.
:12:08. > :12:11.City? Certainly, in the end it was challenge. The Cardiff City players
:12:11. > :12:21.feel that Kevin McNaughton was fouled. Kenny Miller led the
:12:21. > :12:25.protest. There was a desperate search for an equaliser. Kevin
:12:25. > :12:31.McNaughton, it fell to him, but was there a touch from a few dates? The
:12:31. > :12:41.shot was just wide. It was knocked on by Turner. Miller trying to find
:12:41. > :12:50.
:12:50. > :13:00.substitute. If there was time for a hero, it was there. The French
:13:00. > :13:04.
:13:04. > :13:08.striker had a chance but he could We did not go with a runner twice
:13:08. > :13:13.and if you don't, at this level, they are the team will score goals.
:13:13. > :13:20.They are a good team. -- the other They are a good team. -- the other
:13:20. > :13:23.team. If you do not match man for man, you're punished. Ogbeche works
:13:23. > :13:28.every day on aspects of his game he needs to improve upon. He is an
:13:28. > :13:35.amazing athlete and a fantastic lad. I am delighted for him. You can see
:13:35. > :13:41.their joy, and the extra work he does with the coaches. He can get
:13:41. > :13:44.back into the box and do his job. I am delighted for him. A every one
:13:44. > :13:47.of the stadium could not believe it was not a penalty when Kevin
:13:47. > :13:54.McNaughton was taken out by the goalkeeper. Every one of them looks
:13:54. > :14:00.the same. How that is not a penalty, I do not know. That changes the
:14:00. > :14:04.game. When the business end of the season comes around, March, April,
:14:05. > :14:09.when there is a dozen games left, that is when you will notice were
:14:09. > :14:13.you have to go and be solid. You have to make sure you do not lose
:14:13. > :14:23.and be positive and when. At the moment, we take each game as it
:14:23. > :14:23.
:14:23. > :14:27.Just like last season, Middlesbrough getting the better of
:14:27. > :14:31.Cardiff and considering they had two of the best defences on show,
:14:31. > :14:35.this was a surprisingly open contest, wasn't it? It was an open
:14:35. > :14:38.contest but I was not surprised. They have quality in both sides.
:14:38. > :14:43.They showed that. I thought they might stifle each other today,
:14:43. > :14:47.being such a big game. It was an open, entertaining game. We heard
:14:47. > :14:51.from Malcolm McKay that -- who complained they did not have a
:14:51. > :15:01.penalty just before Middlesbrough scored. Was Jason still guilty of
:15:01. > :15:06.bringing down McNaughton here? the keeper catches McNaughton in
:15:06. > :15:10.the boccia. He pleads his innocence but he was guilty. I can't see how
:15:10. > :15:14.the referee did not give that obvious decision. People talk about
:15:14. > :15:19.Cardiff, that lack of star quality compared to last season, more of a
:15:19. > :15:23.team ethic in force I suppose but Peter Whittingham and particularly
:15:23. > :15:28.Kenny Miller, they are two stars here, aren't they? The build-up for
:15:28. > :15:32.the second goal for starred -- was outstanding. Miller is a very good
:15:32. > :15:36.player for Cardiff for a few seasons but Miller was an excellent
:15:36. > :15:39.sign it. People talk about his work rate. He has a Scottish
:15:39. > :15:44.international. He has great awareness. He creates space for
:15:44. > :15:48.other people as he did there. He has awareness to see but when of
:15:48. > :15:53.Gunnarsson. He made two runs to get into that position. They showed
:15:53. > :15:57.that quality. You were never sure who was going to get the winner at
:15:57. > :16:01.the end. As it was it was an unlikely source. You were surprised.
:16:01. > :16:06.Her room showed a tremendous amount of composure, didn't he? -- her
:16:06. > :16:10.room. I haven't seen a lot of the lad. He looks like a straight
:16:10. > :16:15.defensive midfield player but he makes the run forward and that
:16:15. > :16:21.chest control is to top-quality. He puts it in the right place and
:16:21. > :16:26.makes the finish on the second touch. Very, very easy. It was a
:16:26. > :16:31.quality goal that justified it. It justified them getting the three
:16:31. > :16:35.points. They had that tiny bit more quality in the game today. Those of
:16:35. > :16:40.the last three of 22, Ogbeche, his first goal for Middlesbrough,
:16:40. > :16:44.brilliant. Yes, he played in the World Cup for Nigeria. He looked a
:16:44. > :16:54.real athlete. I have been saying that Middlesbrough need somebody
:16:54. > :16:55.
:16:55. > :17:01.who can go in there and he Was Southampton not playing until
:17:01. > :17:11.Sunday and -- against Portsmouth in what has been built El Classicoast,
:17:11. > :17:15.
:17:15. > :17:20.Hammers' bubbles burst after two defeats but this programme has more
:17:20. > :17:25.class than that. Like West Ham, who scored after six minutes. Noble
:17:25. > :17:30.with the corner, Diop on hand to head whole -- head home his first
:17:30. > :17:33.goal in English football for exactly six years. Barnsley, who
:17:33. > :17:40.lost five-three to Ipswich and that amazing match last weekend, sprang
:17:40. > :17:43.into action. Craig Davies making space. Rob Green making a save.
:17:44. > :17:52.After the break the Hammers had green to say once more. Rob Edwards
:17:52. > :17:55.denied. The introduction of another player me through -- midway through
:17:55. > :18:01.the second half gave the home side impetus but he could not find a way
:18:01. > :18:06.past looks deal with this method. West Ham thought they had a penalty
:18:06. > :18:10.when Sears was brought down by O'Brien. The referee disagreed and
:18:10. > :18:18.when Sam Allardyce aimed a kick at some plastic bottles in frustration
:18:18. > :18:23.A very valuable three points and under the circumstances a fantastic
:18:23. > :18:33.win. It puts the two defeats on the trot behind us and lets us move
:18:33. > :18:33.
:18:33. > :18:37.description of Nicky Barmby's rain so far as Hull caretaker-manager.
:18:37. > :18:41.Four wins in six have seen the Tigers move within reach of the
:18:41. > :18:45.automatic promotion places. As far as this fixture is concern it is
:18:45. > :18:49.the Lions who were the kings of the jungle, having not lost a league
:18:49. > :18:56.game to City since knighted 87 and they were on the back foot as
:18:56. > :19:01.Milton Hall kept out fire. In the first half Farah did manage to beat
:19:01. > :19:07.Milton Hall but an eagle-eyed assistant spotted a striker when an
:19:07. > :19:11.offside position. In contrast, the other side had lost one of their
:19:11. > :19:15.last six. They have flirted with the relegation zone. This free kick
:19:15. > :19:19.was a gentle reminder not to write them off. After the restart the
:19:19. > :19:23.deadlock was broken. Confusion between Milden Paul and his
:19:23. > :19:31.defensive colleague resulted in Koren's cross being turned into his
:19:31. > :19:34.own net by Jack Smith. Now Millwall's last go on their travels
:19:34. > :19:38.came on a three-nil win at Leicester last October and but for
:19:38. > :19:43.the crossbar Paul Robinson's header might have ended that run. As for
:19:43. > :19:47.this game it was Koren who eventually scored Hull's second ten
:19:47. > :19:56.minutes from time. The Slovenian international getting his 4th goal
:19:57. > :20:06.since Barmby to Cover. He may make We will speak in the new year with
:20:06. > :20:10.the owners and sit down without him. their latest good run against
:20:10. > :20:14.Reading. A win would make it to be thin seven league outings for Simon
:20:14. > :20:20.Grayson's men. But it was the visitors who got off to the perfect
:20:20. > :20:25.start and this one. Their first attack of the game and a goal. From
:20:25. > :20:32.Simon Church. He scored two in last week's win against West Ham. The
:20:32. > :20:38.visitors were in the ascendancy and pressed to make it two. Unable to
:20:38. > :20:44.find the target here. But he had not quite finished. Having been
:20:44. > :20:48.static bike another player, his shot was saved. They could not
:20:48. > :20:53.follow up. But Leeds were not about to let this one go as they created
:20:53. > :20:58.chances of their reign. Snodgrass crossing the McCormack, who could
:20:58. > :21:02.only find -- fire his header straight at the defenders. The
:21:02. > :21:07.hosts continued to create chances but were lacking the killer edge.
:21:07. > :21:11.This clever flick was easily dealt with. It was Leeds'' third home
:21:11. > :21:19.defeat and Reading's first ever home win -- first ever win at
:21:19. > :21:25.The first half was excellent, we could have got a second and it
:21:25. > :21:35.would have been more comfortable but the second half, it was a day
:21:35. > :21:37.
:21:37. > :21:40.for leaders and we had them all against Burnley wanting to win so
:21:40. > :21:43.they could have a victory at the mix. This was the game with plenty
:21:43. > :21:50.of talking points and with barely five minutes gone Brighton were
:21:50. > :21:54.down to ten men. There was a knock the ball vocation. After
:21:54. > :21:59.deliberating with his assistant, the referee saw fit to show him a
:21:59. > :22:03.straight red card. Incredibly that was just the beginning as six
:22:03. > :22:09.minutes later there was a second dismissal. Surprisingly after this
:22:09. > :22:14.challenge it was for a Brighton player. Ashley Barnes feeling that
:22:14. > :22:16.wrath of the referee. Brighton were down to nine men. Surely it was
:22:16. > :22:21.only a matter of time before Burnley made their numerical
:22:21. > :22:29.advantage count. Trip here choosing the perfect moment to rifle in his
:22:29. > :22:34.first League goal of the season. -- Trippier. The deficit was only one,
:22:34. > :22:40.the Danish keeper was at his best here. This Eagles almost drew level
:22:40. > :22:44.but Mackail-Smith could not beat Grant or Edgar. It finished one-nil.
:22:44. > :22:47.Gus Poyet was full of praise for his players despite ending with
:22:47. > :22:52.nine men. I am not going to talk about the referee, I will talk
:22:52. > :22:59.about the outstanding effort and commitment from the players, the
:22:59. > :23:07.way they understood what was needed to hold, to wait, to defend, to put
:23:07. > :23:11.the ball coming into the box and wait for the chance. But Paul don't
:23:11. > :23:14.do goalless draws. They have yet to be involved in one this season --
:23:14. > :23:18.back ball. The Tangerines came close to find in the Watford net as
:23:18. > :23:23.early as the 7th minute. The chance created after a lengthy run by
:23:23. > :23:26.Philips, not Kevin, he was on the back -- bench, but Matt. Ian
:23:26. > :23:29.Holloway's side have not lost a league game this season in which
:23:29. > :23:39.the opened the scoring. The only problem was doing that in this
:23:39. > :23:42.match. Just failing to convert here. Lua Lua has been impressive since
:23:42. > :23:47.the arrived. The Condoleezza International is still waiting for
:23:47. > :23:51.his first go on home soil but that post was becoming a ball magnet --
:23:51. > :23:56.Congolese. In nearly 350 league appearances Taylor-Fletcher has
:23:56. > :24:02.scored nearly 100 goals. He had not one but two chances in the second
:24:02. > :24:07.half to close in on his century. But the Hornets were looking to
:24:07. > :24:13.compete -- complete back to back away wins having won at Ipswich and
:24:13. > :24:17.they should have gone ahead with 25 minutes to go. Kevin Phillips
:24:17. > :24:21.replaced Lua Lua after 67 minutes for Blackpool and almost inevitably
:24:21. > :24:27.had a great chance to win it, thanks to Matt Philips. But not
:24:27. > :24:33.this time. So Blackpool to do a goalless draws and Watford's shone
:24:33. > :24:36.damaged left the happier of the two managers at the end. -- what the's
:24:36. > :24:40.manager left the happiest at the end.
:24:40. > :24:43.Doncaster Rovers went into the match against Leicester City with a
:24:43. > :24:48.record that did not exactly inspire confidence. Second from bottom
:24:48. > :24:53.before this one. Dean Saunders' team had lost 13 of the 21 league
:24:53. > :24:57.outings and things looked grim after 38 minutes. Steve Howard
:24:57. > :25:02.pastor David Nugent, who nipped the ball Edwards for his 7th goal of
:25:02. > :25:06.the season. The last time Rovers beat their opponents was in 1955
:25:06. > :25:15.and they came out all guns blazing in the second half. Sharp in the
:25:15. > :25:19.right place to nod home a cross to level things. In Sharp, Doncaster
:25:19. > :25:23.have a man who can turn a match in an instant and two minutes later he
:25:23. > :25:28.did that. He had this acrobatic effort to score his 9th League goal
:25:28. > :25:32.in 15 appearances this season and put the home side ahead. The Foxes
:25:32. > :25:38.had their chances to level things. This deflected shot was the wrong
:25:38. > :25:43.side of the post as Rovers takes three points. That was a big, big
:25:43. > :25:48.win. We have been playing well, it has been coming. We should have got
:25:48. > :25:51.something out of the Birmingham game last week and Southampton's --
:25:51. > :25:57.and the boys are taking things on board. We are more difficult to
:25:57. > :26:02.beat. Last week's stunning comeback
:26:02. > :26:05.against Barnsley saw Ipswich and their seven-game losing lead then.
:26:05. > :26:10.Darby recently ended a losing streak of the rain that confidence
:26:10. > :26:14.was high amongst Paul Jewell's side. There were plenty of chances and
:26:14. > :26:17.entertaining first half. Keith Andrews testing Derby's stopper
:26:17. > :26:21.Frank Field in with his long-range effort. Ipswich had their
:26:21. > :26:27.goalkeeper to thank for keeping them in it. This stunning reflex
:26:27. > :26:32.save denying Bryson's. The keeper in goal because David Stockdale was
:26:32. > :26:38.recalled by Fulham. The new boy was busy. Jamie Ward this time unable
:26:38. > :26:42.to get past not once but twice. Now whatever Ipswich boss Paul Jewell
:26:42. > :26:46.has been saying in his half-time team talks lately it must be good
:26:46. > :26:52.because 29 seconds after the restart they were ahead. Keith
:26:52. > :26:55.Andrews rising highest. The referee saw Brayford had cleared the ball
:26:55. > :27:04.off the line but after consulting his assistant he gave the goal. The
:27:04. > :27:07.home side could have made it two but it meant back-to- back whence
:27:07. > :27:11.they Ipswich and 60 beats innate for a frustrated Nigel Clough.
:27:11. > :27:14.can't tell a bit is over the line or not. We were frustrated because
:27:14. > :27:18.it was not given straight away. I thought if the linesman had seen it
:27:18. > :27:21.over the line he would have put up his black but we played four or
:27:21. > :27:26.five seconds on and the goal was not given, then to go back and give
:27:26. > :27:32.it was frustrating. I have a different take. I think they should
:27:32. > :27:36.give every manager, every coach, two calls a half and then we could
:27:36. > :27:44.use that call-up for whatever we want. Then you have four calls on
:27:44. > :27:47.the referee during the game. I think we would all be happier.
:27:47. > :27:53.Last week's appearance of former chairman and current head of
:27:53. > :27:56.football operations on the Coventry bench at home to hold -- Hull has
:27:56. > :28:00.backed out rage amongst sky-blue fans. He stayed clear of the
:28:00. > :28:04.technical area at London Road. Whether his absence had any effect
:28:04. > :28:10.on Coventry is debatable but the Sky Blues had the better chances
:28:10. > :28:15.first half. This header should have hit the target. Peterborough's only
:28:16. > :28:19.effort of note in the opening 45 came from Lee Tomlin. His accuracy
:28:19. > :28:28.-- given his accuracy it was not hard to see whether Posh had not
:28:28. > :28:32.won in their last fight. The deadlock was broken on 66 minutes.
:28:32. > :28:35.There was the 6th League goal of the season from Sinclair.
:28:35. > :28:42.Peterborough rode their luck in the second half to keep the first clean
:28:42. > :28:47.sheet of the campaign. Gardner hitting the woodwork. Worrying
:28:47. > :28:53.times for Andy Thorn's side who are eight points from safety.
:28:53. > :28:59.Forest last lost to Bristol City in 1974 when Barry White's famous song
:28:59. > :29:03.was number one. Steve Cotterill will not smile at anything with no
:29:03. > :29:10.Goal or point Reform matches. David James produced a save of the match
:29:10. > :29:17.to keep out to J's volley. That was Forest's only real chance in a dire
:29:18. > :29:21.first half. Bristol City best effort came from Walford. It ended
:29:21. > :29:27.with a poor end product. The way things were going that Barry White
:29:27. > :29:33.statistic looks safe. Lee Camp showed that anything David James
:29:33. > :29:40.could do, he could do just as well. Elliott left wondering what they
:29:40. > :29:44.had to do to beat the Forest keeper. His smile said it all. Forest posed
:29:44. > :29:48.the greater threat as the game moved towards its conclusion. This
:29:48. > :29:54.effort brought another stunning save from James. He was called upon
:29:54. > :30:04.for a final time. The Barry White statistic remains an Steve
:30:04. > :30:08.
:30:08. > :30:11.Cotterill's Forest have gone five We have played with great energy
:30:11. > :30:20.and a fantastic spirit and it will only be a moment of time before
:30:20. > :30:23.those chances go in. David James in inspirational form. Ipswich getting
:30:23. > :30:30.a contentious Cole and Paul Gould believes we should get video
:30:30. > :30:37.referrals. He thinks each manager should get two referrals. I am not
:30:37. > :30:41.keen on that idea. Definitely goal line technology. But if you get
:30:41. > :30:45.referrals, I promise you and manager will refer the decision and
:30:45. > :30:50.they still will not come to an agreement. I do not think it will
:30:50. > :30:55.work. The linesman did not give the goal but then changed his mind.
:30:56. > :31:01.That is confusing. It is ridiculous. Why does he need the referee to go
:31:01. > :31:10.over and have a work? It brings up all sorts of problems. I could not
:31:10. > :31:16.see how he could give the goal. was an eventful game with Brighton
:31:16. > :31:23.losing two players. It is ironic because Eddie Howe had all his
:31:24. > :31:29.strikers fit and then his fall-back comes up with a screamer. He is a
:31:29. > :31:33.good player. An England Under 21 player. That is what you need. When
:31:33. > :31:43.it is not happening for your strikers, you need someone to come
:31:43. > :31:45.
:31:45. > :31:54.up with a strike like that. A good win for any how. Four wins in a row
:31:54. > :31:59.for Hull. They clearly enjoy playing and it Nick Barmby. Surely
:31:59. > :32:06.it is only a matter of time before we give him the job full-time?
:32:06. > :32:16.think they should keep him as caretaker! It seems to be working.
:32:16. > :32:23.
:32:23. > :32:33.Peterborough finally kept her first clean sheet of the season. It is
:32:33. > :32:33.
:32:33. > :32:38.If you are a Charlton Athletic fan you will be celebrating Christmas
:32:38. > :32:42.Day at the top of the tree. They are clearly enjoying life under
:32:42. > :32:52.Chris Powell. Could they survive a visit from our very own Ebenezer
:32:52. > :33:07.
:33:07. > :33:12.Actually, after the misery of their past few seasons these really are
:33:12. > :33:17.wonderful times for trot Athletic. Remember, they were a Premier
:33:17. > :33:24.League teams just five years ago. They found salvation in the safe
:33:24. > :33:28.hands of a familiar face. It must be a lovely feeling to give the
:33:28. > :33:35.fans something to cheer about, to give them such a great Christmas.
:33:35. > :33:40.So far. Absolutely. I love this place. Everyone knows, it my time
:33:40. > :33:44.here as a player was during a wonderful spell for the club. There
:33:44. > :33:49.is no hiding from the fact of what has happened to us but now we are
:33:49. > :33:54.looking for a new history. For the first time in a long time I can say
:33:54. > :33:59.Merry Christmas to a Charlton fan. Hopefully we will keep going, it is
:33:59. > :34:04.the best time to be a Charlton fan for many years. We are going back
:34:04. > :34:11.up again and that is brilliant. have peace and light Jason Euell
:34:11. > :34:16.and Chris Parr back so it is like a Premier years again -- people like.
:34:16. > :34:22.You seem to have circumvented this whole idea that it takes a while to
:34:22. > :34:26.gelatine. What have you done? Alongside myself and all the
:34:26. > :34:31.assistant manager's, I think the plaudits have to go to the players.
:34:31. > :34:41.I have told them what I wanted to what my vision is for the club and
:34:41. > :34:43.
:34:43. > :34:50.they have bought into it. You leave when the club is in the Premier
:34:50. > :35:00.League any comeback in League 1. The ball changes so quick. I'm
:35:00. > :35:01.
:35:01. > :35:07.happy to be back, it is at club close to my heart. Where are you
:35:07. > :35:11.and Chris now? You are best mates but he is the gaffer. When I first
:35:12. > :35:21.came and I carried on calling him by his nickname, I got called up by
:35:22. > :35:22.
:35:22. > :35:26.the staff. But now I have got it down, he his gaffer! Is the nicest
:35:26. > :35:36.man in football still the nicest man in football or has yet to
:35:36. > :35:40.change a bit? -- has he had to change. I treat my players and
:35:40. > :35:47.everyone as human beings. A have you got it in your locker?
:35:47. > :35:53.course I have. They may be excited about the future but they do not
:35:53. > :36:00.forget their past. There was one minute of applause in memory of
:36:00. > :36:10.Peter croaker, who died recently, the last surviving member of the
:36:10. > :36:28.
:36:28. > :36:35.goalkeeper to insure level terms at half-time. The response from
:36:35. > :36:40.Charlton was a bright start to the second period which bore fruit when
:36:40. > :36:50.Darel Russell found a halt in the back line of Oldham. His first goal
:36:50. > :36:59.
:36:59. > :37:09.equaliser with just six minutes left. Four draws on the road for
:37:09. > :37:16.
:37:16. > :37:21.We cannot forget the exact Christmas present that we want.
:37:21. > :37:28.some ways we have still got what we want because we remain top over
:37:28. > :37:33.Christmas. But it was a tough game today. We went ahead, it was a
:37:33. > :37:36.resilient performance by Oldham. I did and the credit they deserve. We
:37:36. > :37:45.had one or two situations where we could have got the three points,
:37:45. > :37:51.but we have not lost. At the end, a good point for Oldham. A terrific
:37:51. > :37:57.start to this season. One defeat in 21 game. A great team performance.
:37:57. > :38:02.It certainly has been. Bradley Wright-Phillips getting a lot of
:38:02. > :38:09.plaudits. Chris Powell will be interested that they have only
:38:09. > :38:14.conceded 16 goals. As a team, I could cope on and on, it is a team
:38:14. > :38:24.that has put together very quickly. The draw for Carlton and there was
:38:24. > :38:35.
:38:35. > :38:43.even more to play for at paid his old man a visit. His
:38:43. > :38:49.father is the goalkeeping coach. No prizes for guessing who was on the
:38:49. > :38:56.end of the cross. The dream start for Huddersfield. Stunned by the
:38:56. > :39:02.early blow, Sheffield Wednesday conceded again four minutes later.
:39:02. > :39:10.Rhodes doubled the advantage. 10 minutes later, Sheffield Wednesday
:39:10. > :39:14.were given a lifeline. Rob Jones put them back in contention. The
:39:14. > :39:22.crowd were in for real treat and four minutes later, Sheffield
:39:22. > :39:30.Wednesday were all square. Huddersfield appear to be out of
:39:30. > :39:35.danger and tail they went to the break all square. It was a
:39:35. > :39:40.sensational second half. Gary Megson's men now have the momentum.
:39:40. > :39:43.Ben Marshall was a man on a mission. After finished like that it is not
:39:43. > :39:50.hard to see why they want to keep the loan player on a permanent
:39:50. > :39:59.basis. The turnaround was complete when O'Grady put his third in of
:39:59. > :40:06.the season. But Lee Clark's men were far from finished. Rhodes got
:40:06. > :40:12.his hat-trick. His fourth treble for club and country set up a
:40:12. > :40:18.grandstand finish. In the 7th minute of injury-time, Huddersfield
:40:18. > :40:28.clinched a share of the point. Rhodes finished. Truly outstanding
:40:28. > :40:33.It is special, it means a lot to come here and score goals. My
:40:33. > :40:39.father works here and I have lots of friends. To come here and score
:40:39. > :40:46.a goal, I would have taken that before the game. It is about the
:40:46. > :40:55.team and then pour surely we got a point. It needed a little bit of
:40:55. > :41:05.know how to see the game out. We did not have that. An amazing game
:41:05. > :41:06.
:41:06. > :41:10.at Hillsborough 25 goals in 25 games for Jordan Rhodes. He thought
:41:10. > :41:15.he was on professional to ask his father some advice about how to
:41:15. > :41:23.stop him. I think the answer from his dad would be that he is
:41:23. > :41:27.unstoppable. At the moment, when he gets a chance, he puts them the way.
:41:27. > :41:32.He ticks the goalkeeper out of the equation and instinctively put it
:41:32. > :41:36.in the corner. I think all the Rhodes family will be happy to see
:41:36. > :41:39.how that finished. No doubt MK Dons would have been aware of that
:41:39. > :41:44.resolve before they took to the pitch in the late kick-off. They
:41:44. > :41:54.have won their last five games and were up against a Preston team who
:41:54. > :41:59.
:41:59. > :42:09.parted company with manager Phil last week's goalless draw against
:42:09. > :42:28.
:42:28. > :42:36.far post. MK Dons failed to clear their lines there. The hesitation
:42:36. > :42:45.was punished. And the first goal for Preston opposed Paul Brown is
:42:45. > :42:51.scored by Paul Parry. A well- crafted goal by Preston. Great
:42:51. > :43:01.delivery and it got the header that it deserved. MK Dons, who could go
:43:01. > :43:24.
:43:24. > :43:29.magnificently. It is amazing what a change of manager can do to lift
:43:29. > :43:39.the team in terms of self-belief and confidence. It just kisses the
:43:39. > :43:53.
:43:53. > :43:57.goal so far this season. He got away from his marker there for a
:43:57. > :44:07.split-second. A rare opening in this first half for a below-par MK
:44:07. > :44:07.
:44:07. > :46:06.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 118 seconds
:46:06. > :46:16.his name. Robinson will feel this was a foul and it could easily have
:46:16. > :46:30.
:46:30. > :46:40.clincher. Really wrapped up there. There and then. He has never scored
:46:40. > :46:41.
:46:41. > :46:44.a senior goal. That was mighty What a start. It is a great start,
:46:44. > :46:47.me and Graham are delighted for the players. They have put in an
:46:47. > :46:50.unbelievable shift and worked off their socks. They put their bodies
:46:50. > :46:53.on the line and the Staff that were here today, we are proud of them
:46:53. > :46:58.and delighted for the players. have come here with a game plan,
:46:58. > :47:05.they went ahead when they were on top. For the last 75 minutes it was
:47:05. > :47:10.almost backs against the wall, they found it difficult although one of
:47:10. > :47:16.them should have been sent off. cone, you mean. Obviously, you know
:47:16. > :47:21.as well. I don't want to get myself in trouble but the exact tone was
:47:21. > :47:27.he slipped. I don't know many strikers who are bearing down on
:47:27. > :47:29.goal would want to slip. I don't understand that. We saw, Robinson
:47:29. > :47:39.fuming thinking that Jamie Cope should have been given his marching
:47:39. > :47:42.
:47:43. > :47:46.orders. Was this worthy of a second sure if he is going down easily or
:47:46. > :47:51.whether Jamie has got hold of him but you look at it from a better
:47:51. > :47:57.angle and you see fairies -- he has the he has got hold of him and he
:47:57. > :48:07.brings him down. It is one that McComb got away with and he went on
:48:07. > :48:11.It was a terrific wind for Preston. What is the go from here? They are
:48:12. > :48:15.three points away of the play-offs. A thought they might get rid of him
:48:15. > :48:21.while they got rid of -- while they were losing a game. The spirit was
:48:21. > :48:25.tremendous today. It was a great goal as well from Parry. But Peter
:48:25. > :48:28.Ridsdale As the new chairman, did he feel he could have a
:48:28. > :48:32.relationship with Phil Brown, obviously not, that is why he has
:48:32. > :48:36.gone. Where do they go? They are three points of the play-offs and
:48:36. > :48:40.they have a good squad with a good spirit. They need someone to take
:48:40. > :48:44.it forward. I do feel for Phil Brown, it is unfortunate for him.
:48:44. > :48:54.The meeting of two inform side says Bourne was squared up to Sheffield
:48:54. > :48:59.
:48:59. > :49:05.United. -- almost squared up to to score for six successive game
:49:05. > :49:11.when the opposition can do it for you. There were two own goals. The
:49:11. > :49:14.first, from Boruc. Evans felt he deserved some credit. It was a case
:49:14. > :49:22.of deja vu. Another rate down the flanks from the Welshman. This time
:49:22. > :49:30.it was Cook. It ended the Cherries's six-match unbeaten run
:49:30. > :49:34.and the Blades have won half-a- dozen on the bounce.
:49:34. > :49:38.Harrington has waited months to take his about the Bury. His long
:49:38. > :49:45.awaited debut turned sour just before the hour as Carrington's
:49:45. > :49:49.mistimed tackle saw dr Karrada go to ground. Gary Alexander-Oxy spot
:49:49. > :49:56.kick in his stride. There was another blow for Berra with 12
:49:56. > :50:01.minutes left. There was a late challenge, a second booking meant
:50:02. > :50:07.the men appeared to be on track for back-to-back defeats. Fortunately
:50:07. > :50:12.for the ten men they had a potent weapon in reserve. John-Lewis does
:50:12. > :50:22.not boast a great scoring record but he is in fine form. His third
:50:22. > :50:24.
:50:24. > :50:29.in four games, or after coming off Abbott had ever won three games on
:50:29. > :50:33.the bounce so when Loy opened the scoring against Wycombe the signs
:50:33. > :50:36.looked promising. Christmas in the top six now seemed a real
:50:36. > :50:40.possibility but the strugglers refused to be affected by the early
:50:40. > :50:45.setback and produced a spirited response. The width of the post
:50:45. > :50:49.denied them an equaliser. Trotter was frustrated by the rough -- by
:50:49. > :50:55.the woodwork and the referee, who ignored appeals for a penalty. They
:50:55. > :50:59.finally made their pressure count. A beauty from McNamee brought them
:50:59. > :51:06.level. The MK Dons also scored in last week's crucial win over
:51:06. > :51:10.Chesterfield, which has breezedBeen to their survival challenge.
:51:10. > :51:14.Trotter made this finish looks simple. That put Wycombe on course
:51:14. > :51:17.for their first win on the road since mid-October. Carlisle
:51:17. > :51:22.sandwich to point that keeps them on the fringes of the play-off
:51:22. > :51:27.places. Not for the first time this season, the substitute came to the
:51:27. > :51:31.rescue. We battled away and we got a really important point. He keeps
:51:31. > :51:35.the momentum going of not being beaten and we certainly going to
:51:35. > :51:42.next week's game better off for getting the equaliser and if we had
:51:42. > :51:45.not done. Notts County manager Martin Allen
:51:45. > :51:49.Saiz t has a responsibility to lift the spirits of the fans in these
:51:49. > :51:58.hard times. This bar rattler may have given and great expectations
:51:58. > :52:02.but they left it a bleak House. Dawson playing the role of Oliver.
:52:02. > :52:11.His first League goal of the season, a strike which left the O's jumping
:52:11. > :52:18.for joy before the break. Unlawful midge judgment at the substitute
:52:18. > :52:22.link-up with Tehoue. He scored in consecutive games. Hughes' first
:52:22. > :52:28.goal in almost three months was an immediate response. They missed
:52:28. > :52:31.chance to score in added time. Afflict header from Hughes allowed
:52:31. > :52:36.his namesake to charge into the penalty area where he was pulled
:52:36. > :52:41.back by McSweeny. With the penalty awarded, McSweeney saw red as top
:52:41. > :52:46.scorer Hughes looked to us take his tally into double figures. But the
:52:46. > :52:56.double save from the spot kick gave the O's a precious victory and
:52:56. > :52:57.
:52:57. > :53:04.inflicted a first home League upon county in nine league games.
:53:05. > :53:09.Parry insisted his team had the best of the first half at Stevenage.
:53:09. > :53:15.Rovers fear of four successive league defeat. Fate tried to avoid
:53:15. > :53:18.that and received a boost 20 minutes from time. The Stevenage
:53:18. > :53:26.forward did his cause no good by continuing the argument and the
:53:26. > :53:30.referee sided with the keeper. Roberts put the result before doubt
:53:30. > :53:35.with six minutes to go as Stevenage stretched their unbeaten league run
:53:35. > :53:44.to nine matches. The only annoyance was seeing his side's string of us
:53:44. > :53:50.clean sheets come to an end. Rovers' player scored against
:53:50. > :53:55.Stevenage but too late to make a difference.
:53:55. > :53:58.A big job but whoever takes over from Mick Wadsworth at Hartlepool,
:53:58. > :54:03.sentenced to an eight successive home defeat by Colchester. Words
:54:03. > :54:11.was delivered the decisive blow when the first half, a win that
:54:11. > :54:15.moves the Essex club to within four points of a play-off place.
:54:15. > :54:20.With the hosts averaging a point game up against the division's draw
:54:20. > :54:29.specialists the outcome was inevitable. Exeter have failed to
:54:29. > :54:34.score and a dozen matches. The keeper denied Chris had it. Michael
:54:34. > :54:41.O'Connor almost scored but it back- pedalling keeper pushed over the
:54:41. > :54:51.bar. Exit can should have commemorated Paul Tisdale' s --
:54:51. > :54:57.
:54:57. > :55:03.second thoughts he's already got one after this. If anything is more
:55:03. > :55:07.painful than dislocating your thing it is having it fixed. He played
:55:07. > :55:13.through the pain, making several fine saves. Even after Gilbert was
:55:13. > :55:23.sent off, Rochdale were unable to capitalise. The best save came from
:55:23. > :55:25.
:55:25. > :55:31.the resulting free kick, there has given a vote of confidence this
:55:31. > :55:35.week. The club's owner despite -- refusing to panic despite a winless
:55:35. > :55:41.run of 12 games. Walsall was one of the teams they were hoping to catch.
:55:41. > :55:44.The task looks bigger after a first-half strike. After the break
:55:45. > :55:49.they were under increasing pressure. Whitaker went close to levelling
:55:49. > :55:52.the scores. Victory would have pulled the Saddlers out of the
:55:52. > :56:02.bottom four but Lester pitched a point for the bottom club at the
:56:02. > :56:07.death. The Spireites are still five That point did neither side any
:56:07. > :56:12.good. It has been a great season for them considering only two
:56:12. > :56:14.seasons ago they were in the long - - they were in the non-league.
:56:14. > :56:18.have been and the non-league a long time and he is relishing their time
:56:18. > :56:23.in the league. They have been called overly physical. Which she
:56:23. > :56:27.does not like. They can be physical at times. He wants his side to be
:56:27. > :56:32.competitive and they are. We saw Leyton Orient to ride the luck
:56:32. > :56:36.against Notts County on Saturday. But it has been a season of two
:56:36. > :56:41.hearts, one win in the first ten, now one defeat in 11. It has been
:56:41. > :56:46.some turnaround. I am really pleased for Russell Slade. He is a
:56:46. > :56:48.good manager who knows his stuff. They did not get much luck in the
:56:48. > :56:53.first ten games. They rode their luck against Notts County and got
:56:53. > :56:56.their just deserts. Not in their 90 minutes but in the season as a
:56:56. > :57:01.whole, some things have not gone but all the sudden those bits of
:57:01. > :57:04.luck are going their way. Back-to- back wins the Colchester and if you
:57:04. > :57:08.are one of the 52 fans who made the trip to Harchibald, well done to
:57:08. > :57:12.you. I am astonished if you are watching it at home tonight.
:57:12. > :57:15.Nonetheless Hartlepool, eight defeats in a row at home, obviously
:57:15. > :57:19.part of the reason why they parted company with Mick Wadsworth, they
:57:19. > :57:23.need to get someone it quickly. They do want their home for was
:57:23. > :57:26.abysmal. The caretaker manager is there but they need a permanent
:57:26. > :57:30.appointment, Phil Brown is available, a lad from the north-
:57:30. > :57:33.east who will know the club. It is a club that they need some
:57:33. > :57:36.direction and they need it Derry quickly. A good win for Sheffield
:57:36. > :57:41.United are we to Bournemouth. They continue to keep up the pace with
:57:41. > :57:44.the teams above them. Another clean sheet. I thought this would be an
:57:44. > :57:46.interesting game because it has been an upturn in form at
:57:46. > :57:51.Bournemouth but a couple of own goals as well, it doesn't matter,
:57:51. > :57:56.they keep moving forward. Do you think both could do they get James
:57:56. > :58:00.Beattie back to full fitness in some time soon? He has come without
:58:01. > :58:05.having played the game was -- that some time. They need to get him
:58:05. > :58:10.playing. There is so much you can do in training but you need games,
:58:10. > :58:13.they need to introduce him in games. If they can get him anywhere near,
:58:13. > :58:20.not fully fit but anywhere near what he is capable of he will be a
:58:20. > :58:23.real threat in this division. to lead two. -- League 2. The race
:58:23. > :58:33.to be Christmas No. One was still to be decided. Crawley's motivation
:58:33. > :58:38.
:58:38. > :58:43.was to extend their 12 game proud man as Crewe pocketed a point
:58:43. > :58:49.against Crawley. The game was just nine minutes old when Moa sent over
:58:49. > :58:52.an inviting cross and Fletcher arrived to give Crewe the lead.
:58:52. > :58:57.Crewe saw their chance of causing a major upset reduced on the quarter
:58:57. > :59:02.hour. Millar -- Miller flying in, leaving the referee reaching for
:59:02. > :59:06.the red card. It seemed a matter of time before Crawley found that
:59:06. > :59:15.equaliser and they drew level when Tubbs flicked in his fifties of the
:59:15. > :59:19.season. The Sussex club are four points clear at the top.
:59:19. > :59:23.Southend are suffering a dip in form, their 4th defeat in 11 days,
:59:23. > :59:27.the second in the lead, the most surprising so far. Lonely's
:59:27. > :59:30.Bradford -- lowly Bradford's was their first on the run this season
:59:31. > :59:40.and the first ever at Roots Hall, look Oliver was the man they had to
:59:41. > :59:41.
:59:41. > :59:45.Barnett fought back twice to secure Barnett fought back twice to secure
:59:45. > :59:50.a draw. Mohammed Furley -- firmly headed home the corner. But
:59:50. > :00:00.patience is a virtue. They waited for the light at -- right moment
:00:00. > :00:05.
:00:05. > :00:15.energy to suspend -- of his suspended midfielder. Mark Hughes
:00:15. > :00:20.
:00:20. > :00:24.fouled Mohammed, and Darryl Duffy showed no mercy. Yates excuse the
:00:24. > :00:31.Portuguese defender's error saying we it was his first mistake in 15
:00:31. > :00:39.games. Macleod was less charitable. His Goldeneye shelter and a 9th
:00:39. > :00:42.consecutive away win. -- his goal gave Cheltenham.
:00:42. > :00:48.Cansdell-Sherriff got a goal and the second half, his header proving
:00:48. > :00:52.the difference against Macclesfield, unbeaten in four previous outings.
:00:52. > :00:56.But the margin of success would have been greater had James Collins
:00:56. > :01:04.pulled his shot a few inches to the right. Graham Turner's team are
:01:04. > :01:08.handily placed in 4th. You will not see many free kicks
:01:08. > :01:12.better than this at any level this season. A touch of class from
:01:12. > :01:16.Mickey Spillane. Dagenham & Redbridge were hoping for their
:01:16. > :01:21.second league wing -- legal when it since September. Instead, they had
:01:21. > :01:28.to make do with the 10th straight defeat, after a solo's second half
:01:28. > :01:38.header. -- Zola. Ago go's late challenge meant that the Daggers
:01:38. > :01:45.
:01:45. > :01:55.spent the final half-hour with one over Morecambe. They extended their
:01:55. > :01:56.
:01:56. > :01:59.unbeaten run to 10 league games. The killer goal came right on half-
:01:59. > :02:09.time when De Vita us somehow beat a bewildered and the parish to the
:02:09. > :02:11.
:02:11. > :02:18.ball by converting the cross. -- Matthew Parish. The Ipswich Lownie
:02:18. > :02:23.left Morecambe without a league win in five matches.
:02:23. > :02:27.Having drawn blanks in their previous league outings, Gillingham
:02:27. > :02:30.rediscovered their scoring touch to see off Bristol Rovers. Lewis
:02:30. > :02:34.Montrose headed them into the lead. The midfielder clearly got a kick
:02:34. > :02:40.out of scoring his first goal in seven matches. On the stroke of
:02:40. > :02:43.half-time, he went tumbling under a challenge. Paul Buckle felt that
:02:43. > :02:47.was the turning point. Kedwell blasted home to double the
:02:47. > :02:55.advantage. Rovers were staring at a 5th game without a win but just
:02:55. > :03:00.after the restart, hopes were raised of a turnaround. Danny
:03:00. > :03:06.Jackman soon killed off any chance of that happening. He restored the
:03:06. > :03:16.cushion in the second half. Jackman was perfectly positioned for the
:03:16. > :03:19.
:03:19. > :03:23.follow-up. Andy has and tile's men were now firmly in control. Kedwell
:03:23. > :03:33.was on the spot for a second occasion after this foul. The Kent
:03:33. > :03:38.
:03:38. > :03:42.club but now eight games unbeaten Ground with both sides on Song but
:03:42. > :03:46.Bryan Hughes gave Accrington the edge 13 minutes in. The
:03:46. > :03:52.midfielder's first goal for three- and a-half years. More trouble for
:03:52. > :03:56.Torquay by half-time. The referee had no doubts about the colour of
:03:56. > :04:02.the cards. Accrington pressed home their advantage midway through the
:04:02. > :04:06.second half. Jaded Stockley had them on course for a third League
:04:06. > :04:12.win on the spin. But there was fresh hope from Torquay when the
:04:12. > :04:15.hosts became -- found themselves down to 10 men. From the referee's
:04:15. > :04:19.eyeliner, it was another straight red. That made no difference for
:04:19. > :04:24.the Devon club. The manager said they had surrendered their record
:04:24. > :04:30.with a whimper. Three goals down with one minute to go. Kevin long
:04:30. > :04:36.applied the finishing touch. The travelling fans had one thing to
:04:36. > :04:43.cheer, a breakaway called -- breakaway goal in stoppage time.
:04:43. > :04:47.This was definitely Accrington's afternoon.
:04:47. > :04:57.Unspectacular but deserved was Chris Wilder's reaction to a first
:04:57. > :05:04.win in seven. The breakthrough came through Alfie Potter. Cobblers
:05:04. > :05:11.defender Johnson was fortunate not to give Johnson -- give the appoint
:05:11. > :05:19.another goal. Page 11 founder car- park, rather than the net. James
:05:19. > :05:22.constable shoved another player aside to help Dean Smalley towards
:05:22. > :05:29.his first. This handball did little to help
:05:29. > :05:38.the Cobblers. Akinfenwa found his penalty saved. A 5th consecutive
:05:38. > :05:40.away defeat. Fair to say that Rotherham's
:05:41. > :05:46.promotion push us back on track even though Andy Scott admitted his
:05:46. > :05:50.side were fortunate to win. Danny Harrison went close, but the Dons
:05:50. > :05:57.can count themselves unlucky not to have taken at least a point.
:05:57. > :06:01.Schofield's clearance denied Lee Mansell. 12 minutes from time, they
:06:01. > :06:11.were sent to defeat by Sam Wood. That goal keeps the Millers in
:06:11. > :06:12.
:06:12. > :06:16.touch. Port Vale worked hard to get their
:06:16. > :06:26.game on. Some concerted shovelling soil of the referee gave the go-
:06:26. > :06:29.
:06:29. > :06:39.ahead after two pitch inspections. No one was happier than Sodje --
:06:39. > :06:44.Madjo, on loan. It was simple for Madjo. He completed his hat-trick
:06:44. > :06:48.on the hour. Thanks to a terrific turn and pass by his striking
:06:48. > :06:58.partner. Divine intervention from the Pope -- from Pope, you might
:06:58. > :07:00.
:07:00. > :07:10.say. Madjo had the match ball in hand. Aldershot sliced open again
:07:10. > :07:15.as Sean Brady completed the rout. - - Sean reg. -- Rick. They found the
:07:15. > :07:22.net once in four matches but could not manage it here. Michael Rankin
:07:22. > :07:32.was the man on the spot. But that his heroes stayed on the scoreline.
:07:32. > :07:36.
:07:36. > :07:42.consecutive League defeat thanks to Tom Barkhuizen. His 7th of the
:07:42. > :07:46.season. How many times do defenders need to be told not to let the ball
:07:46. > :07:52.bounce in the box. A trio of Hereford flares -- players failed
:07:52. > :07:59.to heed the warning. With Simon Walton substituted, Chadwick scored
:07:59. > :08:07.from the spot, his second in three games. The balls were already
:08:07. > :08:16.cautioned. -- the Bulls. And the pilgrims almost made them pay when
:08:16. > :08:23.Chadwick volleyed over after being picked out by a Hoolahan. -- by a
:08:23. > :08:25.Hourihane. The point sees the Bulls climb up one point away from the
:08:25. > :08:28.climb up one point away from the drop zone.
:08:28. > :08:32.Plymouth and Hereford sharing the points there. Interesting, Carl
:08:32. > :08:37.Fletcher admitted that he was using Sean O'Driscoll as a sound board.
:08:37. > :08:43.Do you welcome that? Very sensible. Permethrin a desperate situation
:08:43. > :08:48.and they need to get as much advice in as they can. O'Driscoll is a
:08:48. > :08:53.real influence and he knows him well. As for Swindon, unbeaten in
:08:53. > :08:58.15. This is interesting because after an extraordinary outburst
:08:58. > :09:02.following the Bristol Rovers draw, Paolo di Canio was in danger of
:09:02. > :09:05.alienating himself, but he got a response on Saturday. He knows his
:09:05. > :09:11.players better than anyone else. Many players would not have gone
:09:11. > :09:16.out and played like that but they seemed to react to him having a go.
:09:16. > :09:21.It got a great result. It is working. John Steele will be
:09:21. > :09:27.relieved tonight. They have stopped the rot, nine consecutive defeats.
:09:27. > :09:35.Courtesy of a screamer from their centre half. Any centre half that
:09:35. > :09:38.can do this is worth his weight in goal. He celebrated nicely as well.
:09:38. > :09:48.After four blanks at home, Vale Park find themselves among the
:09:48. > :09:48.
:09:48. > :09:52.goals. In Guy Madjo, he is a breath of fresh air. I know him from
:09:52. > :09:55.Winnie was in Bristol City a few years ago. It did not work out then
:09:55. > :10:00.and he dropped into non-League, and I was not quite sure what happened
:10:00. > :10:04.to him. He has ended up at Stevenage. He scored a terrific
:10:04. > :10:10.Tantric. The third one is exceptional. Everybody knew that he
:10:10. > :10:15.had this sort of ability but it has not come out. Micky Adams is
:10:15. > :10:20.working under tough conditions for Stott certainly. -- tough
:10:20. > :10:24.conditions. Certainly. The fans understand that he has a decent
:10:24. > :10:29.side and that he needs their support. Shrewsbury, their stunning
:10:29. > :10:39.home run continues, unbeaten in 16. Let us look at the Christmas league
:10:39. > :10:41.
:10:41. > :10:43.In Npower League Two, Crawley extend their lead at the top to 4
:10:43. > :10:45.points despite drawing. That's after Southend lost on Friday
:10:45. > :10:48.after Southend lost on Friday evening. And with Cheltenham also
:10:48. > :10:52.failing to win, quite a few teams below them have made ground on the
:10:52. > :10:55.top 3. In fact, all those teams from 4th to 10th won except for
:10:55. > :10:58.Burton. The bottom two both picked up a point but remain 3 points from
:10:58. > :11:01.safety. Northampton were the only side in the bottom 6 that lost over
:11:01. > :11:05.the weekend. Bradford got a great win on Friday at second placed
:11:05. > :11:07.Southend and the only other team in the bottom half to win was
:11:07. > :11:10.Accrington. In League One, Charlton still have a five point lead
:11:10. > :11:13.despite being held at home by Oldham. That is because of Jordan
:11:13. > :11:16.Rhodes' late equaliser at Hillsborough in that amazing 4-4
:11:16. > :11:20.draw. Sheffield United are up to third and were the only side in the
:11:20. > :11:23.top 7 to win. The bottom 7 sides all drew on Saturday, and I'm sure
:11:23. > :11:25.some sides will be happier than others with their point. And
:11:25. > :11:28.there's now a gap opening up between those sides and Leyton
:11:28. > :11:32.Orient in 17th after they won at Notts County. Russell Slade's men
:11:32. > :11:35.were the only side in the bottom half that took all 3 points at the
:11:35. > :11:37.weekend. In the Championship, West Ham draw level on points with
:11:37. > :11:41.Southampton who play at Portsmouth on Sunday. Middlesbrough move above
:11:41. > :11:44.Cardiff after that impressive win as do Hull who also won on Saturday.
:11:44. > :11:47.Reading, who won 1-0 at Elland Road and are now just two points behind
:11:47. > :11:50.Leeds. Coventry are now 8 points from safety after losing at
:11:50. > :11:53.Peterborough. Doncaster make ground on the two teams above them who
:11:53. > :11:55.could only draw with each other at Ashton Gate. Remember, Palace host
:11:55. > :11:58.Birmingham on Monday evening. Right, Birmingham on Monday evening. Right,
:11:58. > :12:02.well that's almost it from us. Don't forget, the show is on the
:12:02. > :12:04.red button and on freeview till midday on Sunday. It's also on the
:12:04. > :12:08.iplayer all week. And if you're after extended match highlights of
:12:08. > :12:11.each game, you'll be able to see them on the BBC Sport website.
:12:11. > :12:16.There's plenty of football to get your teeth into on Sunday. And how
:12:16. > :12:18.about this for a Championship lunchtime? It may be the season of
:12:18. > :12:21.lunchtime? It may be the season of goodwill but will how much of it
:12:21. > :12:31.will be on show as Portsmouth face Southampton? Steve Claridge will be
:12:31. > :12:39.
:12:39. > :12:43.joining Jake for that one at 12.45 Leroy, good to see you. We have
:12:43. > :12:50.been treated to some great goals, let us hope that Christmas brings a
:12:50. > :12:59.more. We will see you soon. Good more. We will see you soon. Good
:12:59. > :13:09.night. -- brings some more. Brighton! What a goal! Is it in?
:13:09. > :13:18.
:13:18. > :13:28.What a finish! He scores! It is open! Norris! Nice to see a late
:13:28. > :13:33.