27/08/2011 The Football League Show

Evening. After a hectic midweek of cup action, it's back to the day

job in the npower Football League and for teams in the Championship,

a chance to sign off before the international break on a real high.

Off the pitch, things are getting interesting. A couple of sides in

leagues 1 and 2 look to be cashing in on their star strikers, before

the window closes and earlier this week Bradford the becoming the

first team in all 4 divisions to part company with their manager,

there's plenty for Steve to get his gnashers into - not that he needs

any encouragement. That a bit in the past team in all four the

Visions to part company with their manager this week. There is plenty

else for Steve to get his teeth into it. Here's what else is on

offer tonight. Our main game comes from south London. Dougie Freedman

has the keys to the Palace these days and the Eagles are flying.

Looking to clip their wings this afternoon were Ollie's Blackpool.

Southampton have hit the ground running. Nigel Adkins' table-

toppers faced a stern test when they took on Sven's Leicester.

Brighton took a Premier League scalp in midweek but they were up

against a team that scored seven last week, as Darren Ferguson's

Peterborough hit the south coast. MK Dons have been scoring for fun

and the last week. How would they fair again Stevenage, without the

goals of Sam Baldock, following his big-money move to West Ham? By the

way, the draw for the third round of the Carling Cup took place

earlier today - we'll be reflecting on that a little later. But we

start tonight at Selhurst Park where Crystal Palace are making

some of the so called experts look a little foolish after a stunning

start to the new season. Tagged as pre-season favourites for the drop,

Palace have strung together three straight wins and were up against a

recently-relegated Blackpool side who have lived upto their billing

This is the best start for five years, for Crystal Palace, and

there is a change for their fans, tired after several successive

seasons of struggle. Blackpool or looking to prove that they belonged

in at the top flight and a or only on one to the Championship. Darren

Ambrose returns after a knee injury. Blackpool are without Neal Ardley,

but Craig Cathcart returns after a throat infection. Bright Ormerod

gets in behind Dean Moxey. Britain Ormerod with the chance. Get out

brilliantly by Julian Speroni.-kept out. Brett Ormerod was the danger.

I wonder if the decision to play and left-footed play at right-back

almost cost Crystal Palace. Dean Moxey was caught out. The ball was

whipped across, and he was nowhere to be seen. Brett Ormerod, with a

real chance. What a challenge by Ryan McGivern. Beautifully timed.

Indicting bit Ormerod to side-foot it beyond Julian Speroni. --

inviting Brett Ormerod. Somehow, Crystal Palace get it off the line!

It was Kevin Phillips to almost snatched the opener for Blackpool.

Difficult to see who keeps it out, Julian Speroni, and with the save

again. Smart challenge, on Taylor- Fletcher. Julian Speroni has been a

very busy man. At least Clark hit the target, but it was not struck

that firmly. Ian Holloway will wonder how it is that his team are

not two, to the good. Will these from Matt Gilks. McCarthy, denied

with a bullet header. McCarthy had peeled away from the pack, and

found himself unchallenged at the back post. Had that gone to either

side of mad Gilks, and it would do been the opera for Crystal Palace.

-- Matt Gilks. Was the shot, by Craig Cathcart? No, he wasn't.

There might have been contact between Cathcart, and the Crystal

McGivern can turn it behind. Stephen Crainey might well hold his

head after that. It was curling away from the goalkeeper, a right

that far post. Brett Ormerod keeps it in. Back to Ferguson. That has a

lovely touch. And the goal, from Baptiste. It has been coming. Alex

Baptiste, who scored on Blackpool's last visit to Selhurst Park, Bruce

the Seasiders in front, five minutes before half-time. -- puts.

Alex Baptiste, who had come up from right back, buries the opportunity.

Ian Holloway will feel that Blackpool have got what they is out.

-- deserve. Dean Moxey, in the penalty area, and what a goal that

would have been. It was not the best pass to him, just waiting for

the ball to arrive, then trying the corner kick. Crystal Palace have

won a succession of them, but have been unable to test Matt Gilks.

Ambrose, with the corner kick, McCarthy tries to rise, but Paddy

MacCarthy, could not get any power behind it. Matt Gilks, across,

smartly, to keep it out. Kevin Phillips gets in behind, but he has

put it wide. Paddy McCarthy got away with that, big time. Of all

the people Ian Holloway would have wanted this chance to fall to, it

would have been the veteran striker. You would have put money on Kevin

Taylor-Fletcher. He brought it down beautifully. Parr snuffs out the

threat. Timely challenge from the Norwegian. Off the line, again! By

Darren Ambrose, this time. And here come Crystal Palace. Wilfried Zaha,

with his first involvement. What an introduction it really was. At

least, with Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace have genuine pace up front

now. Almost 2-0, with this effort, coming up from Evatt. Evatt drags

him to the ground. Yellow card. No complaints from the Blackpool

defender. He almost embarrassed Jermain Easter by pulling down his

the face, and has stayed down. -- Scott Southern. This was flying.

And he is out of account. -- for the count. It came off a Blackpool

boot. Punched away by Matt Gilks. in! It is 1-1! Glenn Murray has his

first goal in the red and blue stripes of Crystal Palace! That is

what he came on for you. 22 goals last season. And Glenn Murray gets

on the end of the delivery from Dean Moxey, and sneaks it past the

near post of Matt Gilks. There was much -- not much of a gap, but he

very important Patch. McCarthy, with the little back-header, almost

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds

Palace Palmer pressure. -- he get the shot away? The

Crystal Palace... Inches wide. What a difference he has made since he

came on. What a great pass, too. Just around the corner, Murray

for Keith Sutton to mark his 350th appearance for Blackpool. -- Keith

That was fabulous entertainment. Chances at either end. It is a draw.

Are you happy? Delighted. The first half, better than the second. We

have a great spirit. We opened the game up in the second half, and we

were a more attacking in the second half. It could have gone either way.

45 minutes into the game, I thought, we will take a point. That is the

best we've played. We have still got a bit of baggage of what

happened to us last season. I'm not sure we realise quite how much we

were on top and just keep doing the same things. We are starting to

build a squad that we country and games from the start. We can beat

certain players -- we can play certain players and it is good.

it has got it down to the near post. That could have ended 5-5! You have

got to credit bogey-free to them because he has instilled this

element of resilience. -- credit to Dudley Freeman. They might not have

got back into this game last season. That ball into the first half, they

had some trances did get more than a lead. Glenn Murray comes on. That

had the effect. He scores for goal. In the end, he might have gone on

to take this game. But it was a fair result. You really like this

finish. I like the way he gets across his marker. He anticipates.

To be fair, the ball is never gonna reached the far post. He gets

across the near. And he had a chance near the end. The keeper

knows what he is going to do. He can't go around the keeper because

there is a player around him. So he cut his angled down. He has still

made a difference. He will look back and think, that was a great.

Blackpool, they are playing in a similar way up front as they did in

the Premier League. There is this thing about them or where they are

not on the cutting edge. As you said, there were enough chances in

the first half were they could have been more comfortable. Kevin

Phillips gets them a point last week at Brighton. And they had some

opportunities today. Sometimes you don't always get what you deserve.

As you said, at the end, the draw was a fair result. They are still

asked -- suffering a hangover. What do you do to get rid of it? There

might be a need to bring in some freshness. The difference now is it

is expected of Blackpool. They were under the raider, got up, now

they've come back down, they are under the spotlight, so a bit more

pressure. A couple of weeks to work for them. Right, we'll let's take a

look at how the early Championship leaders got on on Saturday. Nigel

Adkins' Southampton have enjoyed their best ever start to a season

and the Saints were looking to make it five wins out of five when they

marched into Leicester. Well, with Leicester losing their two home

games, that 100% record might continue but their expectations

again midway through the first half. A substitute teamed up with the

striker, and the finish could not have been better. Southampton were

not going to give up their perfect start easily and got back into the

match with this run which ambles old the full-backs. John Hardy was

on the end of it. Southampton, 2-1 down. Just before the break came

the game's most pivotal moment. No foul according to the referee. So,

Leicester went 3-1 up. Aggrieved, Southampton came out strongly after

the break and David Connolly reduce the death do -- the deficit. They

had their chances. They were up against a keeper in inspired form.

This was denied by Schmeichel. And Schmeichel, foiled him again later

on. Southampton's incredible run came to an end, which meant that

It is very good to win a game like this. We needed that. We needed a

boast a 100% record. But they have yet to win in the league this

season. Burnley came close to breaking their duck of not having

scored. Things were looking good again this season just after half-

time for them. They again had the opportunity and this time they made

no mistake. Derby had only conceded one goal all season before this

match and they seemed stunned by falling behind and nearly went

behind again. The last time derby had won five games at the start of

the season was back in 1905, and they gave themselves another chance.

The home side immediately shot themselves in the foot. Ross

Wallace's shot was too hot to handle for Frank Fielding and

Austin was on hand to ram in his second for the match and secured a

A massive game for us. A big effort from the lads. They were

Coventry. Without a win in -- of any kind, they'd never managed to

meet Boro at the Riverside. Tony Mowbray's team started the stronger.

Boro had the first chance to go than this. Someone who just cannot

stop scoring for Boro is this man, instrumental to their strong start

to the season. When the ball find - - found its way to the Dutchman, he

should be confident finish of his strike at the top of his game. He

now has seven goals in seven matches. Andy Thorn's Sky Blues

have made a disappointing start to the season with just one point Mike.

Roy O'Donovan had a great cross to level for the visitors but didn't

even test the keeper. The hosts were looking for a 6th consecutive

win in all competitions, and almost had a second goal before the break.

Joe Murphy managed to get a hand to this effort. The second half,

another chance for the attack- minded Dutchman. The finish

deserted them. Coventry were improving as the match went on and

made the hosts pay for those missed it half a dozen wins in a row

before the end but this header hit the bar. Coventry keeper Murphy

We knew it was going to be tight. They have some great players. Great

work effort -- work ethic. We always knew what was going to be

difficult for us to rack up a few goals. There is tremendous

character in that dressing room. They don't know when they are

beaten. We have been in for good -- unfortunate in the early part of

in his dip switch was always a tall order for Peterborough when they

travel to the South coast. Brighton did the double over them when this

was a League 1 fixture last season. The home side were given a helping

hand inside 10 minutes of this Championship game. This clearance

was picked up and the Peterborough defence were too surprised to close

him down. He still had plenty to do, but the finish was measured

perfectly. These are good times to be a Brighton fan. The Amex will

host Liverpool in the third round. They went ahead thanks to the save.

Making his league debut for Brighton following a loan move from

Swansea was Brian Harley. How was that to make a good impression in

front of your own fans? Brighton go top of the division. All that was

needed was this goal to complete the perfect day. He had the chance.

But it wasn't to be. 2-0, and another three points for Gus

Poyet's team. Flying high in the tram pinch it. It was proper

football game. Plenty of qualities. The games I like as manager. When

you score a couple of goals, keeper clean sheet. We are still winning

at home, unbeaten. I cannot ask for No, we can't. They are top of the

pile. Do they deserve to be there? I am lucky enough to have seen them

three-times. They have been absolutely fantastic. There is an

aura about them. They almost make teams change and compromise their

own staff to try to come back --, but the way they play. They make

the pitch be, and they will knock the ball back, but because they

were place a match, they play with angles. Lewis at the back has been

great. The two boys at front had been -- have been sensational.

Craigmillar, in Sunderland, he was marvellous. -- Craig Moon.

Poyet has an eye for talent. They lose added Bennett, but they have

another free kick specialist. look as if they've got goals all

over. They need to defend -- they defend when they need to defend.

They are a threat all over. That is why at this stage they are the

complete package. What can happen between now and the end of the

season...? Part of the reason Brighton are top is because of

Rampton slipped up at Leicester City. A bit of controversy. Since

felt aggrieved at what ultimately was the winning goal by Leicester.

Was there a push hit? It looks like it. He heads the ball, fair enough.

He has elevated himself above. But he doesn't, and he actually climbs

over Lambert. He could do nothing about it. And the ball goes in as

an own goal. You've got to look at that. Lambert doesn't make any

contact with the ball but he makes a lot of contact with the defender.

There was another 100% record that fell on Saturday. Burnley ended

Derby's re run of recent results. Charlie Austen, he is really making

up for lost to M. He typify is the whole side in the way it has been -

- key to revise the whole side. The old guard has gone. He is one of

the new guys. From the Burnley perspective, he has settled down.

They have got a goalscorer for. signs on the 1st February. That was

his 10th of -- 10th appearance. hasn't played many games at this

level. The more experienced you will get and he will be a better

player. Well, as for the rest of the Championship, fans at Fratton

Park were treated to a repeat of the 2008 FA Cup final between

Portsmouth and Cardiff. It's fair to say the clubs have experienced

more lows than highs since that day This effort rattled the post.

Portsmouth have not scored in the first half of any match this season.

That duck was almost broken in spectacular style when Jo Ward did

that. The woodwork was busier after half-time. This free kick came the

latest effort to crash of the goal frame. Cardiff have an impressive

recent record over Pompey, losing only once in 10 league matches.

They finally got the goal in between the Post of fruit Andrew

Taylor. -- through and retailers. The evergreen striker came off the

We have had two cleared off the Lennon the end. We needed a little

bit more spring in our step to go on and win the game. A I was

delighted with the attitude and performance. It was always going to

be tough. They throw a lot of balls into the box and have a lot of hate

in their team and can cause problems with the long throw-in,

but I was delighted with the way we played. Keep Hill picked up his

first victory as Barnsley boss last weekend. His team travelled to the

lines then, in south London. -- to lie in's den. It was the horse to

made all the running but could not score. Robert Edward did just

enough to distract the striker, and it did not get better after the

break. The chance went begging and it ended a goalless. Ipswich

conceded 12 goals in the last two matches as they walked out of the

East Leeds United. The onus was on them not to concede early on, and

they lasted half-an-hour, when Ross McCormack got his 4th of the season.

The problem for Leeds United his discipline. Aidan White was sent

off for that challenge on G Emanuel Thomas. It was the third sending

off in the league this season, for Leeds United, in addition to 13

yellow cards. Ipswich make the up one-man advantage count and turned

point and two three. Keith Andrews had scored the only goal for

Ipswich when they beat the Pulborough, and the Irishman made

it two out of two, lifting the gloom from Portman Road and the

pressure from their manager. have endured a tortuous 10 days. We

were very nervous in the first half, no doubt about it. When they had

ten men the started to knock the ball around than the crowd stayed

with us, which was great. And we have gone on from the victory and

at the end. Hull City were looking for their first points of the

season at home, so it was probably a good time to welcome Brian

McDermott's side to the KC Stadium. Reading had completed the signing

of a Rotherham goal machine Adam LeFondre, today, and the first

effort on target was ruled offside. Nigel Pearson's loan signing from

Manchester United announced himself in the Championship in style -

How's that, for Robbie Brady, to score this first of the season bore

as new club? Simon Church could not find the finish with his flick-on.

The first point of the season for Hull City was sealed. I thought it

was a 0-0 gain. That is what it looked like. We did not look like

conceding a goal. It was a poor goal to concede from our point of

view, and we did not do enough with the ball. In it has been a tough

start for us. In all of the games that we have played in the league,

we have been on top in the game, but because of our inability to

take chances, it has made it a tough start for us. But the players

have worked exceptionally hard and I am pleased for them today. Keith

million's Bristol City hope to put their midweek Carling Cup defeat to

Swindon behind them when they travelled to Doncaster who have yet

to become a point in his campaign. Nicky Maynard had scored all three

of Bristol City's goals going into this game, but his magic touch

deserted him early on. Perhaps it was about time one of his team-

mates got in on the act. Albert Adona Put Bristol City head. A

penalty was awarded to Doncaster, and a chance for a vast home only

goal of the season at the Keepmoat Stadium. But things are not going

Doncaster's way, and James Hayter could not make the most of the

goalscoring opportunity - David James with the penalty save. James

Hayter redeemed himself soon after. James Hayter gratefully took the

chance, to earn Doncaster their Huge relief for Hull City, their

first cause of the season. And a great goal from Robbie Brady.

has not been much action there in front of goal. He gets into a good

position. I am not sure if he means that or not. I am not going to take

that away from him! It is a fantastic finish. I'm sure that he

will say that he meant it! Wanting that was lucky, and Paul Jewell

admitted it, was beating Leeds United with the help of a red card.

After conceding 12 in two games, as for the red card, you think this

was a harsh decision? He gets a little bit of a push in the back

and he does not recover his composure. There was no intention

to bring him down. He lost his balance. He has no alternative,

other than to go down. This was a nasty deflection but Ipswich will

take that, after a couple of nasty games. These are the ones that you

just make the most of. Is it a particular worry for Simon Grayson

at Leeds, those three red cards in three games? He just wants to get

in and won the tackle, we saw that with Max Gradel last week, it is

just a little bit of all the enthusiasm. I don't see there being

any frustration there, just a will to go out there and tried to get a

result. Interesting admission from Steve Cotterill after that

Portsmouth game. He said he had overlooked-over were players in

training and that is why their energy levels drop. Is that an easy

mistake to make? There has been a lot of rain in that area. The

pictures have changed. They can get very heavy. You can do up to 20

minutes, half-an-hour, but on a pitch like that it is a little bit

longer. I think that is probably what he means, that he should be

taking the King said -- he should take the condition of the pitches

into consideration. MK Dons have been scoring for fun in League 1,

but how would the league leaders fear against local rivals Stevenage,

without the goals of Sam Baldock, who has made a big-money move to

West Ham? Nice to see you. forgot you were you. He forgot we

were coming - you get to know the truth! You get good and bad weeks

in football. It is safe to say that MK Dons have had a pretty darned

good one. They have scored 10 goals in two games, hitting Chesterfield

for six, to achieve the highest ever league position. They then

booked their place mac in round three of the Carling Cup with a

spectacular four-goal romp at Norwich City. Including this from

Sam Baldock, his 6th goal of the season, and it proved to be his

last for the club, as he signed for West Ham United yesterday for a fee

believed to be in excess of �2 million. An Charlie McDonald has

been brought in. The same number. phoned him, and he said, have you

got my number 10, and they said yes. But now it is gone. I said, tough.

The fans would not want me to lose their hero, without replacing him

almost immediately. The boss has shown faith in me. I am hoping that

I can take that to MK Dons, scoring goals and Brentford, like a bit.

How do you feel without your brother Owen? I am just happy for

him. Is he OK? He is buzzing. It is sad for him to leave here. But he

is buzzing. Pleased to have joined such a big club. The most striking

thing about Milton Keynes is his buoyancy - I see it as a city of

hope. Milton Keynes has always combine the role than they knew,

and its current football team is no different. At 30 years old, Karl

Robinson is the youngest manager in the Football League. To cope with

the demands of being a manager, he has a man with 40 years' experience

alongside them. And he has an unexpected talent. I have been

painting all my life. Football and art have always been my twin

passions, outside of family. My son gave me the idea. I did my first

ever nude drawing, and he said why don't you make it into like, a

mountain scene, which is what the stairs when you go into the

distance. -- what this does. That is my favourite, that one. He has

been there, seen it and done it. Sometimes he comes to me and says,

I wouldn't do that just yet, Gapper, and I have to listen to him. We are

you every single day. Badly? A at times, yes. I don't agree with

everything he does, and he does not agree with me, and that is good and

healthy and it always been like Paisley and Dalglish but it was

enough to see off Stevenage. And MK Dons got an instant return on the

UN Investment, as he got his debut goal in front of the cowshed.

Stevenage Jane Klos after this slippery run, but it was turned

over.-came close. As pressure built on the MK Dons'agoal, only the

timely intervention of Chadwick on the line prevented the visitors

equalising. Another corner kick caused even more mayhem. But any

Chancellor. Was launched over the bar. -- any chance of a point.

you missing Sam Baldock? He is a great footballer, but the club has

to move on. Charlie getting the victory was great for us. The best

possible start. It was a scrappy game but I managed to get on the

end of a couple of moves. The it must be lovely feeling when that

ball hits the back of the net. Describe it for us. It is a great

sensation on your debut, when you get the winning goal. I am more

Vorderman. Fantastic, well done. -- Maybe there is a lesson here for

Arsene Wenger, because as soon as Sam Baldock left, in Kim McDonald!

This is a good replacement, an astute signing. He will get himself

in the right place at the right time. He brings a wealth of

experience. He was surplus to requirements at Brentford, and I

think Karl Robinson has moved quickly and has done well. Let's

round up the rest of League One starting with in-form Bury. The

newly-promoted Shakers began the day in sixth and they faced second-

placed Charlton, fresh from their Lowe, give Charlton an early shock.

Following their midweek Cup exploits, the Charlton boss needed

to get his team going. Whatever she said it had the required effect.

Paul Hayes nodded in his second for the club. The London side are

living up to their billing as promotion favourites. They have the

bit between their teeth and claimed the points 15 minutes later. It was

Johnnie Jackson who made no mistake then these two will leave the

League in different directions. Sheffield United is reckoned to be

promoted. Chris Porter played his first game in the team's colours, I

with the performance of young Curtis Haynes-Brown, even though he

had a red card in the game. The Blades now have a share of the lead

start for four years continued well at the start of the match. Robbie

and they were almost rewarded when they beat the keeper, but not the

from long range. In general I don't think we competed strongly enough,

particularly in the midfield. It was difficult for the boys, and we

let them secure too much possession. Tranmere deserve to win today.

This is a day to tell the grandchildren about for the Preston

goalkeeper as he kept a clean sheet - - clean sheet and then scored a

goal. With full-time approaching, Iain Turner took things into his

own hands. His long clearance kept his opposing keeper flapping a pair.

It was a moment to remember as Preston are now unbeaten in four

Orient's worst-ever starts. Jimmy Smith started the game well for

signing from Middlesbrough to equalise. This one appeared to be

going for a draw, but Lee Miller but they were rescued by two

second-half substitute. Alan Lee scored his first goal for the

club's seconds after coming onto the page. Gary Roberts got another

goal. He condemned Wycombe have to a first away defeat. Gary Megson

try to bring seven different struggles to Sheffield Wednesday

this week, but it was one of his current squad who scored. Gary

best performance for the club. He made no mistake for his second

give the visitors some hope. Duffy very nearly earned a share of the

spoils for his side, but Nicky called Chester, up - - called

Chester's boss said he was not going to stop attacking football.

Anthony Wordsworth give the home side a dream start after just 17

seconds. That set the tone for what was to come. Oldham scored next.

Mark Cousins, the keeper, paid the price for taking matters into his

own hands. Reuben Reid's previous calls all came from the spot, as

did this one. Ian Henderson won at penalty. Anthony Wordsworth took

for the damp - - took full advantage. The home side almost

started the second half as well as the did the first. After just 30

seconds, Ian Henderson scored again. Matt Heath squeezed home a 4th goal

just before 60 minutes to top of suggest their promotion hopes her

slim, and it was the thinnest of margins that sold them denied the

opener. As it turned out, Walsall went on to get their first win on

the road. Ryan Jarvis scored a penalty to start the scoring. He

also scored the second with a in this match. Nine minutes later,

Gary Jones's inch-perfect pass picked out John Lowe we act and act

league win of the season three minutes from time. James Poole

scored the final goal. Plenty for Exeter to build on after the

midweek Cup defeat to Liverpool. Their manager was bursting with

pride. Troy Archibald help fill - - Troy Archibald-Henville scored the

first goal. Danny Whitaker held his nerve to get his first league goal

of the campaign. Eight minutes from time, Tom Nichols, on the eve of

his 18th birthday, he kept his cool to secure victory. The margin of

success should have been greater. Right at the death Exeter had

another great chance. Thankfully That could be a turning point for

Exeter. It is not often you get to see goalkeepers scoring a goal!

What about this from Iain Turner! There is a little bit of a kick off

the surface. The goalkeeper is going one way and he has gone the

other! He just misjudges the bounce. Carlisle United, this time they are

unbeaten in five games. They just started the season fantastically

well to further increase what has been a terrible start to the

campaign for Leyton Orient. Miller scored that goal, a lad he

is on loan. What is going wrong? They are conceding two and a have

goals a game. 7 in and 7 nights, so I am not sure if anyone can put

their finger on it yet. But if you ship that many goals, you are not

giving your cells - - yourself much a chance. Hartlepool United are now

unbeaten in five. They finally got a win to their name. This is

brilliant, isn't it? The technique, just need time to find the way to

win games. James Poole got to goals there. The manager said that a few

harsh words were said and addressing him last week. Could

that have affected today? Sometimes people do need to know where they

had gone wrong in no uncertain terms so it doesn't happen again.

He has had a response that was required. There is a feel-good

factor at Hartlepool. Adam Boyd has come back from injury and he is

scoring. Sometimes it to its players to be at certain clubs, and

I think he's that type of player. Sometimes you can get surprise

packages. League Two now and going into

Saturday's games there were three teams at the top on ten points.

Crawley led the way on goal difference. They were on the road

Jeff Goulding lefts David Hunt and his weight, and then set up Marlon

Pack. Six minutes before the break, had long kick down to the field

caused chaos, and Jeff Goulding put it away. Crawley Town did their

best to repair the damage. Have penalty raised hopes of a comeback.

Matt Tubbs smashed home from the spot, but Cheltenham refuse to be

caught. Two wins on the spin has done them hack world of good. They

are a decent team and we know that. They will be up there, no doubt. We

goal. Mark Bradley was pivotal in Germany - - turning the match

Rotherham's way. Lewis Grabiner scored the second. Gareth Evans

then turned home across to secure the game. Andy Scott paid his own

tribute to the one they called Alf. I have not got a bad word to say

about the lad. He has always been professional and improved his game.

He understood what we needed him to improve and he took it on board. He

has been exemplary in everything he has done hands deserves to move. We

do not want to lose him, Paul we can't deny someone the chance of

more, improve dramatically. It took them 15 minutes to take the lead.

Phil Jevons the scorer, Gary MacDonald a provider. Tough times

for Northampton, who were mauled by rules and the Cup in midweek. Paul

Turnbull handled a cross from Izak Reid, and it was a penalty.

Lawrence Wilson scoring from the spot, seeming a 4th straight

victory for the Lancashire club. Bury happen good defensively only

conceding once in the last five matches and when Michael Jacobs had

the best chance of the game, Barry Roach and Chris McCready put their

bodies on the line to preserve the clean sheet. They have all put a

shift and again, Northampton and a good side. When we needed to have

backs against the wall, they did very well. I try to be honest with

people and they talk about what went wrong and what we need to --

to improve on. So I am going to say well done to them because they came

and air and the result. And we have got a bit of work to do. We will

see how we can recover from this. Torquay boss Martin Ling gave his

side a tongue-lashing at the break after watching Dagenham Cruz in to

a past have lead. Sam Williams flicked on the opener after 25

minutes. Whatever he said at half- time had the desired effect. Chris

Lewinton, the Daggers keeper was a Billy-busy man in the second half.

This time, he was beaten from the spot as both sides settled for a

draw. Southend with-were two up in say 10 minutes against previously

unbeaten Port Vale. Paul Sturrock feared he could be without 11

players ahead of the match. What remained of his squad took a

stranglehold when Liam Dickinson added the second with a crisp

strike. Did a loft had Port Vale back in it after the break, doing

what his name suggests and lofting it over the keeper. It was Ryan

Lennard's first ever goal from this long a range, with an airport which

outboxed Port Vale keeper, Stuart Tomlinson and restored the two goal

cushion. What is that seeing about strikers been unable to defend?

This push, setting up a very tight finish. Loft Picking himself up off

the grass, to convert the penalty. Tempers soared after final whistle

and it was a leg to the managers to show some restraint by shaking

hands. -- left to the managers. AFC Wimbledon into the game undefeated

in three but were brought crashing to earth by Macclesfield. Sean

Brisley with his first goal in two seasons. The second came from a

pinpoint cross. Emile Sinclair picked out Viani, who doubled the

lead. Things went from bad to worse. Sinclair was proving to be a

constant threat. He sprinted clear before squeezing the ball past

goalkeeper, said Brown. Danny Simpson's site were looking at

their first home victory of the season. Macclesfield with the

biggest home league victory since Boxing Day, 2005. After guiding

Aldershot to the greatest night of their history, Dean Holdsworth was

hoping their Cup victory at West Ham would provide the spark of

their league campaign. But the game plan wet out of the window after 11

minutes. Aldershot reduced to ten men. The damage could have been

worse, but Peter Leven let them off the hook. The reprieve did not last

long. Oxford went ahead when Jimmy Young got caught out of position

and James Constable made them pay for it. Chris Wilder's team at were

bidding for a hat-trick of victories and should have got to

the break in better shape. Adam Morris with an important block.

Oxford struggled in front of goal, and that would prove costly. Look

Gutteridge drilled and another, to earn the ten men a share of the

poise. -- points. Bristol Rovers were unbeaten after a goalless draw

up header but. And the ball also -- here that would also hit the

woodwork. This cross almost caught out keeper, Scott Bevan. Of the

Hereford boss does not lose his bottle, he should lead his side to

safety. Accrington Stanley have found it difficult to replicate the

form that took them to the League 2 play-offs last season. With 1

victory to their name going into the game, John Coleman's side found

themselves behind after the break. Beating the offside trap. No one

able to catch the Women man. Stanley showed plenty of character

in the second half, and the front post one was rewarded with a goal

Killers result Shrewsbury fresh from their victory or Swansea got

to work quickly, with Phil Smith needing to be on his toes to keep

out Mahon Morgan. Swindon, fresh from their Cup success against

Bristol City, got their noses in front. Kennedy pinned over a cross,

and Matt Ritchie opened the scoring. Paolo di Canio was left reflecting

on a display from Swindon that, he said, Black Heart and Desire.

Graham Turner's team completed the tournament that way through the

second half, with Ainsworth supplying the kind of cross that

Mahon Morgan dreams of. -- Marvin. Phil Parkinson tops a short list of

managers to replace the departed Peter Jackson at Ali pay rates. --

at Valley Parade. It was the free kick from Nigel that picked out Guy

Branson after the break of the skipper to score his first goal for

the club. And Mitchell made it hat- trick of assists after winning back

possession, allowing Hanson to complete his brace, fight Naz

Letter. -- five minutes later. The final goal secured Bradford City's

opening victory of the season. That Everett was not to be sniffed at!

But that they belong to Bradford, who, on this showing, will have a

few more names willing to throw their managerial hat into the ring.

News that Plymouth Argyle's future could be sorted out next week did

little to improve their performance. The visitors almost opened the

scoring, through Smith. Crewe Alexandra took the lead when Sean

Dillon gratefully police. One goal was enough to give Alex their first

victory of the season. Crew almost got a second, but these remain

The decks. They need to go into it refreshed and in a new frame of

mind, Plymouth. Shilton on Town had been pre-season favourites for

relegation, but in the end it was a comfortable victory. And all the

damage done in the first half. Three goals and that first half.

And they got themselves on easy street very quickly. That was a

very good first half, and up against it, against a side that had

been going well, in Crawley Town. Macclesfield have hit four for the

second time this season. Their manager will be delighted. They are

tipped to struggle with the budget they have. Some people can make

more of that than others. There will be surprise packages. It is

very early. What tends to happen is that the smaller squads don't get

the injuries early on, and big squads tend to get that they come

into their own later in the season when the games come thick and fast.

Bradford with a victory despite Peter Jackson's resignation. Five

games in and the manager has parted ways. Something is going on there.

Because he was desperate for this job. He is a Bradford boy. It is

the job he wanted. All he could talk about was getting back into

football and how he was desperate to get back and get another chance.

And four or five games into the season... He walks out. It is still

very early. It is an experienced campaigner, James Hanson he got his

name on the scoresheet despite all young players who had been brought

in. The draw for the latest round of the Carling Cup has been made.

Lots to look forward to. Yes, Graeme Turner against Arsene Wenger.

A little bit of experience between those two, you have to say. And

that will not be an easy game for Newcastle going to Nottingham

Forest, always a good atmosphere, when the Geordies are in Town. All

of those will think they have got a chance of winning this competition.

Before we go, I look at the league Morecambe maintain their great

start to the season, winning for the 4th consecutive time in the

league. Grew up off the bottom, replaced by the team they beat,

Plymouth, with the programmes looking for their first win of the

season, as are his report. Bradford picked up their first victory of

the new campaign against Barnet. If you went for draws on the coupon,

League 1 would have thrown a spanner in the box because there

wasn't a single one. Charlton and Geoff originated keeping pace with

MK Dons. Pannier and Carlisle, making up the top six. The worst-

ever start to the season for Leyton Orient, losing all five league

games. Exeter, the only side in the bottom half to register a victory

at the weekend. Great in top the Championship. In fact, Leicester

were the only other side to win in the top half of the Championship.

West Ham take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday. At

the bottom, what would pick up their first points of the season.

Coventry are still awaiting their first victory of the campaign. If

you have missed any of the show tonight, it is available on the red

button from now until midday. Otherwise, catch up on the iPlayer,

all week. If you watch extended match highlights, go to the BBC

Sport website. And joined Colin Murray for the best of Sunday's

games on BBC Two, for Match Of the Day 2, with highlights from Old

Trafford and Manchester United against Arsenal. As it is