24/03/2012 The Football League Show

Evening. With less than ten games to go for teams in the Football

League, it's all about coping with the pressure at this stage of the

season, as three managers found to their cost in the last week, with

Burton, Macclesfield and Rotherham all opting for a change in

management. Well, Steve's here to look at the best of today's 32

games. And here's a taster then of what's coming up tonight. Reading

started the day in second but the games aren't getting any easier for

Brian McDermott's men. They took on play-off chasers Blackpool, aiming

to derail the Royals promotion charge. Keeping an eye on events

from the Madejski were Southampton and West Ham the Saints welcomed

Doncaster on Saturday while the Hammers were on the road at Burnley.

It was a big day for Nigel Pearson with the less that bus up against

Hull. Both sides harbouring desires for the play-offs. We are right in

the thick of it with Dagenham & Redbridge as they face another

crucial game in the fight for survival against Accrington Stanley.

Real fly it on the wall stuff, but more on that later. But to the

promotion battle at the top of the Championship, Reading took on

Blackpool. Nine wins out of 11 move them into the automatic promotion

Reading hope they have timed their run just tried to grab one of the

automatic spots. The feeling here is that Tuesday's defeat is a blip

and normal service here has been winning. It is never easy against

Blackpool, frustratingly inconsistent. But one of the most

dangerous teams in the Championship. Jason Roberts has been ruled out

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the back post, Noel Hunt could not supply the finish. What an escape

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for Blackpool inside the opening posts and in. Ian Harte the

goalscorer. Blackpool appealing for offside but the flag stays down.

Ian Harte has his second of the season with his right foot. What

about this strike, against the left post, against the right. And just

when Blackpool thought they have got lucky, they saw the ball rolled

to a grateful Ian Harte that even with his weaker foot, could not

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Goal number 54 Alex Pearce. -- goal number five, for Alex fears. They

are on course for another victory. Who was supposed to be picking of

Alex Piers? The build up was slow, Blackpool switched off and he

guided it into the corner of the back before half-time. What a

fantastic strike. VAT had the goalkeeper grasping thin air and

has Blackpool back in again. LuaLua got to have plenty of Dick and

power in his drive and Blackpool keep up their record of scoring in

every game in 2012. That was a real chance of Phillips. How did he miss

that? Of all the people you would want that to fall too, is Kevin

Philips. Blackpool will feel they should be level. It was a wonderful

shot. Kevin Phillips from almost under the bark, clears the bar. It

is the last bit of action from a very entertaining first half. He

Kevin Phillips on the stroke of half-time almost equalised,

although he was in an offside position, the flag was raised. No

the stadium will still carry his name. What a magnificent job he has

done in establishing this club. His dream is to get them back into the

purchase on it. He has had several the only player that has been

booked today. Just the free kick given, no further punishment given

to Blackpool or their right back. A free header, 3-1, and not for the

first time today asked the question, macro goal cushion again. Gently

We defended well and I thought we pass the ball well. We attacked

with a real good tempo and to go into-0, but they scored a fantastic

goal. We scored a fantastic third goal just before 70 minutes. We are

happy, it is a good win against a good side. Lots of aspects of the

game we are getting good and doing well. But the simple things, when a

free kick is given, the ball is floated into the box and it seems

we are a bunch of statues. So disappointed, it is frightening. I

had a feeling the first two might have been offside, it was very

close, I was not happy with the 4th official, or the referee. At the

end of the day, we did nothing. Unfortunately, I thought we were a

better start -- side at the start of the game. But if you cannot deal

with set pieces, you don't deserve to do anything. Ian Holloway is

furious with the defending, are you surprised at how much space you

got? I am, no one seemed to pick me up. I was delighted to get on the

end of Ian Harte's passes. It is who gets their form right between

now and the end of April? Absolutely. Not mincing his words,

but as far as Reading is concerned, you cannot keep a good side down

like Reading? Probably nine times out of 10, you know what you're

going to get with Reading, they are consistent and they know their jobs

and they do it. They did not help and they do it. They did not help

themselves and it was highlighted with the third goal. A on dead-ball

situations, marking is non-existent. This is basic defending. This is a

sense a midfielder who was a centre half before he went to Reading. He

is a big lad, decent in the air and has to be Mark. It's only at the

end we see a defender coming in and making a challenge, but it is too

late. I have got a job to do, and that is to Marques someone. Until

the danger is gone I have to see that job out, but they did not do

that. Other players in the Reading squad will have them as they fight

for automatic promotion? I think they kept 26 clean sheets last year,

you know what you are going to get. They don't change too much, their

shape or the balance, the key bit familiar. Everybody knows the jobs,

they have consistency and they have managed to stay relatively injury-

free. They are looking in good shape. What about Blackpool? They

have conceded 18 in eight. They are In a game like that, you haven't

been opened up. He does not like the team playing, it is basic

defending, that is all it is. A man has his job to do, you do it, you

see it through and move on. They did not do that. They will work

hard in training, that is for sure. That win for Reading keeps up the

pressure for Southampton and West Ham. Saints went in search of their

Southampton especially after 11 games unbeaten and six wins from

the last seven for Nigel Adkins's team. The former Doncaster striker

Billy Sharp signed to pep up the push back to the Premier League

started for the first time in a month. Rovers have missed him. Dean

Saunders' side have win -- have managed one win since Sharp left.

How different it would have been if this header was on target.

Inevitably the stage was set for Sharp to make his mark. Almost an

hour was played when he headed his second Saints goal to remind

Doncaster what they are lacking. In fact Sharp had the chance to make

did a double immediately afterwards. But he did not get his aim just

right. When Doncaster last visited St Mary's, they claimed their

first-ever victory there. But Sharp made sure it would not happen again,

although it was with the assistance. Sharp's second of the match

clinched the points and earned him a booking for over celebrating.

Southampton are now nine points clear of West Ham. These two Mike

Read teams looked to be heading in opposite directions. It is part of

my job to score goals. I am -- it is a lucky that it was against them

but I had to do it today. Southampton pay my wages now and I

am glad I scored goals. Two good goals, he has come in at worked

hard behind the scenes. We have exceptionally good strikers and he

has had to wait and worked very hard and today he has capitalised.

Typical, Billy scores two, we sell him to Southampton and he comes

back and warns us. West Ham may possess the best away record and a

Championship but they still sit outside the automatic promotion

places. The Clarets have won one of their five games in 2012 have got

off to the worst possible start. The Carlton Cole could not get to

grips with the angle. Barkley was born in Reading and may have done

his hometown club a huge favour when he weaved through the defence

at just about found the finish. Having supplied the vital pass the

Burnley's opener, Paterson need in his first goal of 2012, Burnley

well on course to burst West Ham's promotion bubble. When Nolan's

header was ruled out it looked like the Hammers woods to come to a

defeat, the first since January. Then Carlton Cole somehow missed

from one yard. Nolan missed from two. At this stage it looked like

being one of those days. A frenetic first half ended with the home side

almost extending their lead further. Wallis was denied by the post. Sam

Allardyce said he was stunned to beat two goals down at the break

but two goals in two minutes turned it around. The Hammers macro had

hope -- hope and Tomkins was the unlikely scorer. They might have

returned to East London with three points had Baldock taken a late

chance but West Ham are four points shy of Reading in second after a

5th successive draw. We are disappointed with the goals

conceded because they were avoidable but in the end we have

played against a top side, we have a point. It should have been three

but that is football. We score a lot of goals away from home at

Watford, Forrest, Blackpool, places like that, but we did not created

many chances as today. We had two and that is coming back from 2-0

down and we did not deserve that but it is a massive disappointment

Forest, having done so much to win the game.

There was little doubt who was the hero at the City Ground following

forest's 7th -- 7-3 thrashing in midweek. Steve Cotterill's side had

a majority of the chances and were unlucky not to take a first-half

lead from Andy Reid's free kick. Into the second half not in a

forest had the upper hand but Vokes headed them in front after the hour.

Biden keeper had to be lively to save after this shot was deflected

-- the Brighton keeper. Whereas Nottingham Forrest found the net on

Wednesday, the look was against them today. This player hit the

post. Shortly afterwards the woodwork proved Brighton's last

line of defence yet again. Pinball ended with this tame effort,

evading or obstacles. Except the far post. Bighton looked to be

heading for victory until in stoppage time they day started to

unravel. Sparrow marked his first appearance since his red card

against Leicester in early February would another, he picked up two

yellow cards in the space of 20 minutes. That dismissal proved

costly because four minutes into time added on by an's three points

became one as Forrest equalised through lynched and you can guess

who was by far the happier of the two managers. We were good value

for the three points that we did not get the luck. We did not get

luck. We played very well. There was an excellent team spirit about

us. To score such a late goal, it would have been easy to have

knocked off and accepted a defeat, they did not do that. The fans were

tremendous today. Between them and the players and their spirit, but

got as the result. I am not please the battle. -- I am not pleased at

all. Away from home, the pitch was perfect, there was no excuse. We

need to sort a few things away from home because I don't like it.

Promotion-chasing Middlesbrough have won the two of their last

seven home games going into their clash with Bristol City who failed

to win ten of their last 11. The Robins have never lost the

Riverside. Ephraim has played Premier League and League 1

football this season. This was his Bristol City debut having signed on

loan from QPR on Thursday. He marked it with a goal on 30 minutes.

-- 13 minutes. The visitor -- the goalkeeper was a spectator. Berra

were booed off at the break. -- Middlesbrough. His first goal was

well worth the wait, nine minutes after the break. Martin Scott.

Mowed they might have expected them to push on. The referee deemed him

to be the last man and he had to go but Middlesbrough were frustrated

in their attempts to make the extra man count. With the benefit of

seeing it again a think he slipped and has collided, you can

understand why the decision has been made but I thought the referee

should not have made a decision on his own. We were not good enough

today to get the three points. Like a lot of teams that is the third

game in a week. It is hard to find the intensity both mentally and

physically required to play at the A good point for Bristol City. It

was written in the stars the Billy Sharp to score against his former

club? Yes, it has been a stop-start at Southampton but this was two big

drop. Absolutely, he got a move that Sheffield United and it did

not work out as you would imagine. These are two decent goals, he

shows real strength there to get on the end of that, a good finish.

for the race for automatic promotion it is two out of three

now, this is the running. Who has the hardest, who has the easiest?

You probably are looking at Reading having the hardest and Southampton,

looking at that, no disrespect, have the easiest. Look at the away

games Reading have to face. It is difficult to say what is difficult

and what is not because you get surprises, you get teams that over

perform. Some teams like to play with no pressure, some teams don't,

so it will be interesting to see who takes it and he doesn't. We saw

it last year, three teams broke away and we had Cardiff for the

Championship, Huddersfield in League 1, Shrewsbury in League 2.

They were the BakeAway teams. They missed out on automatic and none of

them went up. It is not something, you don't want to be the odd man

out when three go clear. As for the rest of the Championship, we start

with two teams with top-six aspirations. Leicester City have

the now or never stage for a play of push, Hull City went in two

points away from six. It was a big game for the manager, facing the

club he left in November. The Foxes made three changes. Hull City made

two changes, Corry Evans and Cameron Stewart replaced Robert

Koren and Robbie Brady. Commentary from Jonathan led out. -- Jonathan

is 1-0 de Hull City. Fryatt, great comes and it didn't he take it well.

Nothing looked on but suddenly the left foot was unleashed and he beat

as if there was a deflection but what a shot. He did it against

Chelsea and Cech last week and it looked over the keeper. It is two

goals in a minute for Leicester and they have the lead. The goalkeeper

off there for Hull City. They can't Danns. Two full-blooded challenges

and Danns looked to be off the ground with both feet. McKenna got

up but Nigel Miller has a decision to make it. It is a red card. The

wonderful header, not picked up. A good corner, a good contact, the

was nowhere. He seemed content to watch that. Let it fly, just didn't

get the contact right again. think that both players going for

the ball, in the fashion they did, I don't know, we will have to look

at the footage on that one BIRT the most important thing today was that

the players applied themselves in a way in which we gave ourselves a

good chance to win the game so it was a good day for us. Playing

against ten men is difficult, any manager or players will say that,

when you have a one in front of you but it is up to us to be good

enough to break that will down. We have done this season when teams

have gone down to ten men but unfortunately we did not that -- we

while you are here next game. bye everybody. Leeds travelled to

Millwall desperate to drown memories of their 7-3 drubbing City

history books. Millwall yet to win at home in 2012. Of things have not

gone to plan since Neil Warnock took over. They thought they had

levelled against Leeds through Harry Kane, but the referee had

already given a penalty. The goalkeeper produced a stunning save.

James Henry's corner was met by a thumping header late on but the

woodwork intervened. Millwall still without a home win in the league

this year. By a lot of passion in our play and quality and to get

nothing out of the game is a tough pill to swallow. But we have to

move on and there is nothing we can do about what happened today.

supporters were feeling the loss of captain, Sean Barker, who will be

out for year through a knee injury. But they still Ballack so ditch

challenge for play-off place. They needed a repeat of last season's 5-

0 scoreline and Nigel Clough's memoir off to a flier thanks to

Steve Davis. Moments later, Robinson came within an inch of a

doubling the advantage would be a spectacular effort. That was just a

taster of what was to follow. Derby were looking for their 4th win in

six league matches and that seemed likely before the half-hour.

Hendrik made it 2-0, his first goal since September. Dougie Freedman's

men had not given up hopes of a play-off place themselves, but but

fans feared the worst when his penalty was given. This time, and

there was no denying rubbings -- Robinson. That was the 11th of the

campaign for Robinson, and another five goal Hall looked to be on the

cards. That was until Palace retrieve something from the match

11 minutes from time it with the strangest goal of the day. The

referee awarded a free kick for what he deemed back-pass handled by

the goalkeeper. But then Martin stepped up. Among what look to be a

victory for the home side look to be a scramble. Ambrose fired in

this effort but it was not enough to deny Derby a victory. We looked

comfortable with 15 minutes to go. We were very sloppy and we gave a

goal a way and unfortunately they have got another one and it was

tight at the end waiting for the final whistle. All credit to

Crystal Palace who kept going. started well, but they were

tremendous to keep on going. We look forward to the next game.

teams separated in the table by goal difference, unbeaten in their

last five and eyeing up a possible late push for the play-off places.

Watford were looking to beat Ipswich. The Tractor Boys are one

of the inform teams in the Championship. And they continued

their good form at Vicarage Road. Thomas taking advantage from some

poor defending. Just when it seemed Ipswich might be heading for a win,

the home side drew level with 20 minutes left. Sean Murray picking

up the pieces to grab his 4th goal in five games. Ipswich barely

threatened in the second half but have themselves to blame or even

Carlos Edwards for gifting what that the winner. The Hornets now

just six. Shy of the play-offs. was excellent second half. But a

reminder to the lads at half-time, we spoke about the fact we have not

played well in the first half, but we are reminded ourselves of what

we do well. First half we created a host of opportunities. But we could

have had more than one goal. Barnsley were in need of a pick-me-

up when Peterborough came to town. Played four, lost four, and not

very nice to put a smile on the fans' faces. Midway through the

first half, David Cottrill opened his account for the 6th different

club of his career. Eight minutes later and Barnsley make life

tougher when Nathan Doyle tangled with Lee Tomlin. He was shown the

first red card of his career. But despite being a man down, Barnsley

did well to restrict the visitors to limited chances in the second

half. That was the closest I Emil Sinclair. When they last played

each other in December, partly got the better of a seven-goal thriller.

Not such excitement this time, but the result made up for that. I am

pleased, not only would the results but the reflection of the

performance. It is getting back to the way I want to play the game.

Sometimes when you go through the sequence we have been, you try all

sorts to get a result, but go back to the way I want to play the game.

With that we will get results. Disappointing day, unacceptable

that performance. You drop your standards and that is what you get.

We have been too inconsistent and I felt today was a good opportunity.

When it goes to ten men it is an even better opportunity, but we

could not break them down, we were inept and too slow. A disappointing

performance. Coventry who have spent most of the season in the

relegation zone entertained bottom Portsmouth he wanted to build on a

surprise midweek win over Birmingham. Clive Platt may the

goalkeeper produced a smart goal. Chris Maguire got his Portsmouth

goal account up and running against Birmingham. He tried his luck here

as Pompey enjoyed a good spell of possession. Then there is a missile

tested the goalkeeper's agility. But it was a Maguire once again the

main threat for Pompey as this free kick left the goalkeeper standing

and the post shaking. The odds on these two meeting of in League 1

learns and when a Manchester United player who is on loan scored his

second goal in as many games. Pompey kept battling but it was not

their day. Joe Murphy save this one. Coventry still in the bottom three

but just a point from safety and with a five-point cushion over

Portsmouth. It is a massive for us. We have made this place difficult

for teams to come to. We have built up a bit of momentum over the last

month. We have only lost one in eight here. Or we have won plenty

and we are right in the mix. Four draws and a win for Coventry and

they are getting momentum against the odds? Picking up points. They

have a real chance. The Leeds, Saturday was about restoring pride?

We should be used to this. Having a look back over the season, it is

not the first time they were hammered. They got beat by

Blackpool 5-0 and then won the next game. They are used to coming back.

The art is to not let the bad run continues. Big don't do that. They

do get things together quickly. They are one of the teams on the

edge teasing their fans. Everyone thought they had blown it last week,

this week now they are saying actually... A few teams are doing

that. Just when you are on ruling them out of the play-offs, they

come back with a performance like this. It must drive Nigel mad. Just

thinking they had turned the corner and then get a bad one and mock

themselves back. None of the players have got consistency, we

know what they're capable of at Leicester. There is no reason they

cannot put a run together at the end of the season. It is not

mathematically possible, that is when the fans give up. Derby in the

same boat. They haven't inexperience side, but they are

looking up? 18 at times are flattered to deceive. Then they get

some consistency. They might give themselves an outside chance. It is

an outside chance at best, but they want to finish the season strong

and give themselves some think to go into next year's in a positive

sense. Their captain has 12 months on the sidelines. And Watford,

might be 22 goals it worse off at this stage than last season, but

their campaign is incredible. like Cardiff, they have to

strengthen in other areas because they don't have the ammunition

going forward. They have lost one of the top scorers at the last

minute, and having to reform. They have had a great year so far.

get to League 1 and that the three games, Charlton return to winning

ways to maintain their nine-point lead at the top of the table. They

went to West Yorkshire and played that as Phil's 40 three-match

unbeaten record. The key to victory was keeping roads in check. But the

Charlton keeper wouldn't be so lucky. Russell's trip on Roberts

gave them a chance to enter the history books. His 35th goal of the

campaign breaking a record previously held by Iwan Roberts.

But he needs one more to break the all-time record. He almost got it

here. As for Charlton, they remain in the front seat to take the title,

but are struggling to get over the finish line. Their frustration

summed up when Russell lashed out at Anthony Caig. Chris Powell's men

at reduced to ten men. But ultimately they came up short in

their bid to avoid their first away defeat in the year. The bounce of

the ball getting the better of a Leon Cort as Huddersfield claimed a

crucial win. I thought we were solid defensively. Probably worked

their goalkeeper harder than they worked ours. It is about grinding

results out. This week we have had two clean sheets and taken six

points in two with difficult games and I am delighted with that.

dose of deja-vu of Jonson, he got the only goal in the defeat to

Orient in December and at the same here. Automatic promotion look be

on Wednesday, but Dave Jones's side are in the top two. This was later

Norrie and's 5th home defeat of 2012. -- Leyton Orient's. NK dams

are pursuing their promotion efforts will stop Marvin McCoy's

foul on Smith, but thanks to the goalkeeper's agility and bravery,

they stayed of the scoresheet. Wickham went in search of their own

opener. The prolific striker was disappointed with his finish. Even

more so out of the break as Powell reminded him how it should be done.

Before NK Dons could build on the advantage, Wycombe Wanderers were

back on the attack. They found space inside the six-yard box. This

instinctive flick it was just too high. Wycombe Wanderers are forced

to waste -- wait for the precious equaliser. Bevan with a beauty.

a testing sequence against three of their promotion rivals. A slick

move early in the second half boosted their prospects. They were

soon heading for a 5th successive draw which leaves them six points

adrift of the play-off. Several used defenders left in his wake to

finish superbly. Call trust the now have a lot to do. We have played

for out of the top six teams, and are drawn with them all and there's

not a lot of space between us and them but it's frustrating.

Huddersfield did more today but Carlisle are a good side and we

have stood up to them. A good game of football today. Frustration is

the overriding emotion for Walsall and Stevenage at the moment. Andy

Butler gave them the lead with only three minutes gone. A victory would

have given them a saviours from the relegation zone. Michael Borthwick

made it 3 draws for Stevenage. A third successive opportunity to

climb into the top six. The destiny of these two sides remains very

much undecided. It's a frustrating result because we want to get three

points and the game turned out as we expected it to. We were hoping

Alan midfielders would get on the ball and, if it was a real football

game, we would be the winners. Stevenage are physical and they

Scunthorpe, they are consistent. Five draws in a row. A few close

shaves against Notts County. Alan Judd reported twice in the second

half by the post and then by Samuel Slocombe. A win after a dip in form

which brought two defeats on the trot but it simply wasn't going to

be their day. Hughes also shaking the woodwork as it remained

Hartlepool victories. Chris Taylor finished off a flowing move to

settle the contest against Bournemouth, who were hoping to

avoid a third successive defeat in a row. They thought they had turned

a corner. Having lost the previous five, unbeaten in a two outings.

Lee's a terrific goal line clearance sent the Oldham fans home

happen. -- happy. Since Alexander's departure, Brentford failed to

score in three matches. Against Rochdale, they broke that barren

run it just after the half an hour mark. Having gone 12 games without

finding the net, Donald son has been enduring a lean spell. He

ended it in spectacular style. Only his second goal since October.

Yeovil made most of the running when Hartlepool had Scott Flinders

to thank for making sure they went to the breaks still level. The

goalkeeper pulling up a string of fine saves. They have not scored in

the last four outings but it was over 1 Sunderland's Brian Noble

holiday home, their first defeat of 2012. Having failed to hit the net

in three previous outings, Preston ended their goal drought. They came

up with the goods. That strike midway through the second half

appeared to have sentenced buried to a 6th successive defeat. -- Bury.

Then they clattered the woodwork and they found themselves in just

the right spot for a dramatic continues. Not even this could

knock Rovers out of their stride. Moore's return has produced 14

points out of 18. This superb opener was a measure of their

growing confidence. When Moore took over, they were on 34 points. The

two sides had headed in opposite directions since then. This goal

confirmed five defeats in a row, Moore's terrific run continues. He

has beaten them and you rate highly. -- he has beaten a manner you rate

highly. Yes, they kept a clean sheet. It's really important at

this stage of the season. They kept a clean sheet today. As for

Shepherd Wednesday, it's all about taking your chances. -- Sheffield

Wednesday. Especially when your nearest League rivals are not

playing. Absolutely. We have seen this time and time again when one

team plays before the other. If you get a good result, it releases

pressure on the side. They are not resting on their laurels, are they?

They are good, Sheffield Wednesday, aren't they? That's the advantage

they have over other teams. Also, added pressure when you're a big

club. Preston, two wins in 13. The manager said the pitch was wider.

Does he have to adapt? I don't think... Scoring goals in their

primary concern. Yes, he's a bit different to what they had before.

I would imagine not too many of the players will have played the way he

wants the team to play. Whether or not he has still got them late in

the afternoon, long days, evening sessions, I don't know. Sometimes

what works at one club sometimes doesn't work at another until you

get the players you want and change the personnel around. It will take

you about a year or 14 months at least. Graham had fans and he

needed to get him onside quickly. It has not quite happened. No, but

I don't see this as a short-term appointment. He's very very

successful. All the sudden, you don't become a bad manager

overnight. -- all of a sudden. You think he will after at some stage

start turning things around but don't think it will be in the

future. League Two now. Second- placed Torquay had their promotion

push interrupted in midweek when they went down to the only team

above them in Swindon. Well, with the leaders not in action on

Saturday due to Johnstone's Paint Trophy commitments on Sunday,

Torquay had the chance to make up ground on the Robins when they took

next season but when this happened, his pre-match prediction appeared

premature. Torquay were back in the group. Jarvis up than to win

against the bar. Tomlinson keeping out Lee Mansell. In five minutes,

they turn the game on its head. Joe Davis, already booked. As he headed

for the showers, they got ready to increase the punishment. The big

man keeping his cool to put the hosts on course for a vital victory.

Clinched three minutes later. They gaps at the top now down to four

Morecambe without a win in their previous five visits. This was the

first hint of things might change and midway through the second half,

James Collins was much more clinical. His 13th of the season

sweetly struck. Now on course for their third win in four. John

Taylor unwisely following up this obvious foul with an obvious head-

butt in front of the referee. Shrewsbury still got what they came

on the road, Southend will not have relished this trip. They served

barely noticed but it was a difficult afternoon for the

Shrimpers. There'd Eastwood could not repeat the hat-trick he scored

in his first debut. -- F Freddy. This could be a day they one to

forget. The central defender had to be substituted soon afterwards. He

was taken to hospital after passing out on the bench. The reorganise

Southend looked like hanging on until the final moments. This

frantic double challenge saw the referee pointed to the spot. With

four minutes to go, his 14th goal of the season made it seven home

got off to a flyer. They felt they should have been three up by the

break. Billy Clark had them on top in the second half. Despite their

league, they had been far from convincing but after the restart,

they struggled to cope with the onslaught. Taylor pushing this ball

on before Jason Taylor mistimed his tackle to put Gary Alexander on the

spot. The strike his 18th of the campaign and 4th in five matches

since joining from Brentford had Crawley in control. Mills completed

the scoring against his old club to Secure Crawley their third straight

win. We went in at half-time and we have to rattle one or two people

today. But they did well in the second half, didn't they? After

four straight losses, three without scoring, Cheltenham had to perform

against Oxford. Nothing is going for them in front of goal. These

positions stayed the same. 6th and 7th. We have come off the back of

four defeat. We should have won two or three of them. Sometimes you

need a small step before you get big steps home. We are nearer where

we wanted to be. Having slipped into the relegation zone, Hereford

now prop up the rest. The finishing it is that of the side feeling the

pressure. Lucas have loved his line at during the first half that have

dominated. Pacy came on the second half but his luck was no better.

Richard O'Kelly, still unable to celebrate points at home. The last

time they won, Nik Powell was not born of. Crewe always looked likely.

Murphy got it to keep them within reach of the play-offs. We did not

play well, in fairness. They were better than us. Particularly in the

first half. The only came good late in the game and it took us a while

to settle into the game. It was a bad performance I was disappointed

with but the result is very pleasing. The referee was at the

centre of controversy as Gillingham were held at Bradford. They started

brightly in Yorkshire when a Montrose headed them into a first-

half lead. They were nicely on course for maximum points just

Phil Parkinson's men. But they put the game back in the balance. This

was on target and minutes after having a goal ruled out. James

Hanson's at that was rightly talked of by the linesman. By the Law, he

was interfering with play. After a lengthy discussion, the goal was

allowed to stand. A slap in the face for Gillingham's promotion

no effect on Albion. Adam all the's early shot suggested they might be

able to spring a surprise at Wimbledon. It was a short-lived

hope for the fans who watch that back line for Park. Just the start

they wanted after back-to-back defeats. Albion stalled progress

Booker do-nothing about the follow up. Burton were heading for their

8th straight defeats and by the end of it look like they had thrown in

the towel. Wimbledon's lead was stretched to three. There was still

a chance for it to become No. 4 because of laughable defending. 16

games without a win. The biggest crowd of the season

suddenly came to see the inform Northampton. But this was as close

as they came to recording a 5th win out of six. Portsmouth will be

happy. The Pilgrims wanted more, as the ball scrambled around the

goalmouth. Brian Horton admits he has work to

do as he attempts to save Macclesfield from the drop. Richard

O'Donnell will be relieved to see that hit the woodwork.

Macclesfield's winless run stands at 18 games in all competitions but

it could have been worse. An amazing mess from Barnard let them

off the hook as they collected a crucial point. Brian Horton picks

up his first point in charge of Macclesfield on Friday. What a

luxury to have gone a pick a 5th unchanged line-up at this stage of

the season? And those five games they had been unbeaten,. When you

think about the size of the squad, it is important to keep players fit.

This is not the Premiership. At this time of the year, it is a

welcome bonus to be able to name an unchanged side. At the trees break,

we know the experience of the manager, Graham Turner. They have

had to adjust their away form, they have lost nine on the road. --

shoes brief. To keep it on track, the Business End is vital? It can

be the difference between staying up or going down. If you are going

to address its, address it now while there is still time. If they

pick up a couple of more results away, they have just missed out

last year, it could be this year. Burton where in the top seven on

Boxing Day. They have not won in 16. It is an horrendous run of form.

just keeps going. It is not a close game being beaten at a mid-table

side, Wimbledon, although they have done brilliant, but there is no

sign of a turnaround. No sign of stopping the rot. When a new

manager comes in, he will ask for different things and asked you to

perform a different way, but continue to get the same results.

It is very worrying. They are lucky they did have a good start to this

season. If you knock a few points off, they would be in serious

trouble. One game left, involving Dagenham & Redbridge who took on

Accrington Stanley. This is a club that likes to do things against the

arms. arms.

Having played at Hillsborough and St Mary's in League 1, it is easy

to forget Dagenham & Redbridge have only been in existence for 20 years

and did not make its to the Conference until the turn of the

millennium. Now, with crucial games, they have a fight on their hands to

arrest a fall almost a spectacular as they arise. Today they will be

sharing it with us. You learn more about your players when you are 3-0

down than when you are 3-0 up. You learn who has character, backbone

and spirit. The club, 100% aware of who we are and what we do. We have

had an unbelievably difficult year. We have had difficult years before,

Gray years and disappointing years. But every year we play in the

Football League is a plus for this club. The club is important to me

so it hurts me more than another manager. But I have to deal with

that. That is how it is. It is too personal for me, but it does hurt.

All that does is make me work harder. Tell me you haven't got

your numbers wrong? No, just looking at the subs. OK, Same team.

Same attitude, same desire, same confidence and the same winning

mentality we have had. Everyone, you know the responsibility. Terry,

give me the subs. Dave Hogan, Scott... If you are not involved

with that, you will be doing work after the game. Let's go! I have

had great times at this football club. I was captain, but if in two

You have a job to do, you do it to the best of your ability and we

won't have any problems. The only thing important is the team. What

is the job for the team? Not a lot is best for me, what is best with

Linfield forcing mate panicking clearance. At goal right before

half-time separated the sides before the final five minutes when

his cross appeared to take a slight deflection. The equaliser was

always going to make the end of the match interesting and the plot

thickened in stoppage time as a teenager who was on loan for

Everton was given a straight red foreign off camera incident. His

term remaining team-mates were me the difference first half from

the second half? Tempo, tempo. Almost from the first minute of the

second half we had a tempo, a belief and a desire. I know we have

some tired bodies and they haven't, but you have to push yourself. You

have so much in there. It was a terrific second half performance.

Look back at the chat at half-time. How disappointed were we? Every

week we have to provide that. Everyone involved, if you think you

are giving everything you have got, I am telling you you're not. We

have fitness, discipline and organisation, but if you have got

to do it. Terrific, everybody. So, in our 10 games season we have

taken seven points. But we are not finished. We have got to go on

again. Well done everyone. The runners run, and let's prepare for

runners run, and let's prepare for the next one. Well done everyone.

Thanks to everyone at Dagenham & Redbridge who allowed us to access

all areas. But a psychological boost to come off the bottom of the

table? It has been a desperate and tough season. But they are in the

this club stays in the division, it is worth it. Rarely will you find a

manager who eats, breeds and slips Football Club and that is what John

does? Absolutely. He said to his players, if you are going to play

for them, you have to be the player he once. He has been round the

block, he knows what he thinks should be playing for the club, who

should be playing for the club on what is required to play for the

club. They are in good hands. I think they will stay up. Let's have

a look at what the results on Saturday mean in terms of the tales.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 43 seconds