05/05/2013 The Football League Show

couldn't better last week's incredible finish to nPower Leagues

One and Two, the Championship delivered one last logic-defying

Saturday to sum up the division. Nine of the 12 high-noon showdowns

had something riding on them, and with fans glued to their phones and

radios, it made for a pretty chaotic afternoon. Leroy's joined me and

Steve, albeit for a few minutes, to reflect on those sides who laughed

in the face of pressure and those who, well, didn't. On a day which

was all about keeping your nerve. As the race for the last automatic

promotion place came down to 90 minutes of football, we've all the

action from the KC Stadium for stuttering Hull's final game of the

season against champions Cardiff. And in-form Watford's clash with

cliffhangers involving the four candidates for the last two play-off

places, including extended highlights of Palace against

two clubs, Huddersfield and Barnsley, both in danger of the

drop, go head-to-head in the battle nPower League One and Two play-offs,

including Saturday's late kick-off at Griffin Park between Brentford

and Swindon. Well, without a win or a goal in three games, Hull could

hardly have put themselves under any more pressure in the race for the

final automatic promotion place. A seven-point lead over third-place

Watford had been cut to just one going into the final day.

Nevertheless, a win at home against visiting champions Cardiff would

still guarantee promotion for Steve Bruce's side regardless of the

result between Watford and Leeds. Dan O'Hagan was at the KC, while

Graham Salisbury, not interested in the home side's claims. Excellent

his goalkeeping here, and both are injured. There was a little push

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 47 seconds

Watford goalkeeper for the rest of The shot was turned away by

Marshall. A fine, flying save. There by Bonn, and he will score. What a

mix-up involving the substitute goalkeeper, and Dominic Poleon has

scored a soft, soft goal. A big goal for Hull City. The bands looked like

it wasn't going to be a problem. And then the Swede had to react, and

between them they did nothing but put the goal on a plate for the

knew that Watford were one down, so the Tigers were on course for

automatic promotion. But the early injury to Jonathan Bond meant there

were 16 minutes of first half injury picture goal, 12th of the season for

Campbell scores for Cardiff! The man who was one of whole's play-off

heroes five years ago has scored the goal to de Wael their promotion

push. Fraizer Campbell. He won't forget this, that's for sure. It is

a great ball through to him, and he was just on, the man to make the

incision. It might just deny Harle a And Meyler! Pushed away by Marshall.

And Nick Proschwitz, the dream is alive again for Hull City. Nick

Proschwitz, his first league goal since way back in October. This goal

has double the value, trouble the value, because it reignite Hull

becomes mission possible again for done it. It is in again. Paul

McShane for the old guard, their last Premier league adventure. He

promotion. Maybe that is the launchpad, maybe that is the goal,

the moment, to see their place back was not a good challenge. What

colour will this card be? Yellow. It is the second yellow, so it is a red

card for Troy Deeney. That is unforgivable from Troy Deeney, and

he will get right telling off from What is going to happen here? A

second yellow card for Taylor, and the champions end the game and the

season with ten players. That rings Taylor's second yellow card, and he

is sent off for the first time this season. The arm across the face, no

complaints. Cardiff end with ten surely! The referee says a penalty

for Hull City. And this would clinch it. The fans are coming on already.

They have to go off. The game is not done yet. They have to leave the

field. Two minutes of injury time have to be played. They must get off

the pitch. Nugent, the guilty man �10 million. Hundred and �20 million

for promotion the Tigers. And it is saved by Marshall! They are not

there yet. Prospect -- Proschwitz denied from the spot where the

keeper. If Cardiff score here, then there, and it is a Cardiff penalty!

Oh, my word! Have you ever? Did you ever? Drama in the season's final

back on ice. Malky Mackay's men have popped back at the Tigers. And now

favours are required elsewhere. And the whistle goes, and Hull have not

won. They will have to hope that Watford don't win their game against

Leeds. 2-2, the final score here. And Hull City's fate hangs in the

balance. It might be enough, but we games, and Watford are close. Here

then Kenny there at the second of four stoppage time minutes. That

Here is Ross McCormack, he goes for the chip, and the goalkeeper has

spilled it into the net! And Watford's hopes of going up

automatically are killed by Ross McCormack, and a mistake by the

young goalkeeper Jack Bonham. He really should have dealt with that.

He got fingertips to it, but he couldn't keep it out. They are going

to have a chance in the play-offs. But they will be dancing at the KC

Stadium after this moment. Ross McCormack didn't have enough on the

chip. The keeper should have dealt with it, but he didn't. And the

Rocky only out there because of a Gianfranco Zola and Watford have to

make do with the play-offs. On a day of drama, and nasty injury and I

think Lola's thoughts will be on the young goalkeeper, Jonathan Bond. One

's mistake killed the atmosphere at Vicarage Road in an instant. After

pushing for a win, in the end they succumbed to a late Leeds United

winger. The final score at Vicarage Road, Watford, one, Leeds United

two. Promotion for halt to the Premier League! -- promotion of the

Hull to the Premier League! I think I have been in the game a long time.

I don't think I've quite ever seen or witness anything quite like that.

It was ten or 12 minutes, it was just ridiculous, you know? Having to

wait for it. We have seen people in tunnels, people walking in

corridors, people hiding in toilets. It was really incredible and four

leads to score, it is just remarkable and just shows you how a

league this is. It did not go the way we wanted. We were very

fortunate with that. But that is the way, you have to face the reality.

It probably wasn't going to happen today. We will make it up in the

play-offs. It is a remarkable testimony to the squad and even

today, they have come out again and showed what they are. They are a

great bunch. They might not be as naturally talented, but they are a

nervy. Watford ultimately had it in their own hands, did it turn on a

couple of crucial, key incidents are you? They will look back and over

the 90 minutes it did not quite do enough. The first half was very

fragmented, some of the injuries were like a scene out of Holby city

to be fair. The big man missed the penalty, the sending-off, the injury

to the keeper did not go their way and it really fragmented the first

not to flick it away. There is confusion between the keeper and the

defender. Was a question of nerves? It is probably better to palm the

ball down and pick it up in the second phase. He tries to catch and

can't quite get the elevation. That is just a loss of discipline. It is

a rough and tumble sort of game for Troy Deeney but he loses discipline.

I don't think he really catches, it is a silly challenge.

disappointment, a painful day for Watford who are resigned to the

play-offs but Hull have been promoted to night. Well done, as we

say. You are off to celebrate a bit later. Well-deserved for them. It is

a great story. Also for Steve Bruce. He changed the team around, the

whole make-up of that team coming into that game. It must have taken a

lot of bottle after the season they have had. Liam was in there, playing

Brady up front. There were raised eyebrows. He got Hull on the front

foot added to the game they should have won. Gift card credit, they did

not roll over. It has called -- give Cardiff credit. What 15 minutes it

was, it was the worst two and a half hours of life. You have a

prospective wingback and left back and front in a side that has not

scored in three games going into a huge game like that and changing

your system formation. Something needed to be done. It is good

management because it worked out. The injury, to make that call, I

think he called Alex during the week and asked if he would play up front.

He is a good player. Is it a chance for Steve Bruce to rebuild

reputation? When Steve was sacked, I remember the interview. He said it

was like people hating him, after what he had done at Sunderland, to

come back up Hull and comeback this season and get promoted as

incredible. He deserves all the credit in the world and people who

say he has nothing to prove, rubbish. He has been around a long

time but that hurt him and he has come back. Enjoy the celebrations

and give him my best. At the other end, the fight for survival could

not have been much tighter with seven sides desperate to avoid the

two relegation places. Wolves and Barnsley began in the bottom three

and the Tykes went to Huddersfield in search of the three points they

needed to guarantee safety. The Terriers were not safe themselves,

so with so much at stake we send them along to watch the drama

restorative power of their managers. Barnsley's former boss Mark Robins

joined Coventry City in the same week in September that Huddersfield

Town occupied an automatic promotion place. At the time they had replaced

Simon Grayson in February, they had had no wins in three months. Nine

points from the last possible 12 means they are not in as much

perilous danger as they once were, but they could go down today at the

hands of Barnsley, whose own seven-year stay in the Championship

looked over when David Flitcroft succeeded Keith Hill at Christmas.

Wins nearly harm -- half his games in charge means another one here

today means they would survive. We will have to stop meeting like

that! How are you? It is the most important game of the season. We

need a point, minimum. I want three points, everybody wants three

points, the management, the fans, we all wanted. We are going to go out

there and give the best we have got. Are you feeling good about today?

are going to win. It is a big game. We are here to stay, they can build

on the club and progress and consolidate our place in the

division because it has been a fantastic season, with the effort

that has gone in from the club, the chairman down, it would be a shame

to lose it all. I am looking forward to the game. I am sure there will be

lots who are nervous, but that is human nature. It is how you deal

with those nerves. There will be some in the dressing room and

whoever deals with them best will give the best account of themselves,

I am sure. You are smiling! We are all right. We know what we have to

do, we have to win the game and we are looking forward to it. It cannot

come soon enough. The preparation has been done, the work has been

done, it is about getting down to business. Even if we go down you

can't ask any more from the managers and players. Really nervous. We have

done our best, that is all I have ever asked of the players and the

management and staff. We have given our all. Now you are in touching

distance, you want to go the extra mile. This group of players are

special. I have no doubt if we do the business today that we will stay

in the league. Having started the day in the bottom three, the

pressure was supposed to be on That put Huddersfield in danger of

the drop. James Vaughan's effort was the best they could muster before

the break. Mark Robins make two changes at half-time and that helps

turn the tide. Eight minutes after the restart, Danny Ward slept in

Jermaine Beckford for the equaliser. That put Barnsley back in the bottom

three, but still they believed. David Perkins came close to one

incident response. Alex Smith is making a save. If Huddersfield's

goal difference was -20, any win would have taken the Tykes above

their local rivals. Scotland scored and safety was within reach. Six

minutes later, it was the Terriers that confirmed their survival. James

Vaughan's Gold cup -- took them 258 points. The Tykes are reliant on the

match at Selhurst points -- at Selhurst Park. If Peterborough can

Selhurst Park, Palace in pursuit of the play-offs and Peterborough

fighting for their Championship Palace a place in the play-offs. The

same three points will also retain Peterborough's state is in the

Championship. It is a classic finale, brimming with possibilities.

In a division that has been full of injury since the opening day back in

August. Without a win in nine games, the hosts do have a distinct

air of frailty and that just the wrong time. Ian Holloway has pretty

much a full squad to pick from and he opts for the same 11 that joined

Millwall on Tuesday. Top scorer has not been on target in his last eight

games. The visitors may be feeling more confident, they have been

dragged off the foot of the table to safety in just over two months. It

is the same 11 that beat Sheffield Wednesday last weekend to ensure

from the free kick. An opportunity for the opening goal. Murray, off

the line. First of all, Delaney thinks he should have scored but it

was blocked by the goalkeeper, then Murray felt he had scored but it was

McCann with a goal line clearance. There was almost shouted -- sharp

intake of breath among the Peterborough supporters a few

moments ago. News has reached them that there might be goals

elsewhere. Speroni makes the save. That came out of nothing. It was

just a lobbed ball forward, and misjudgement and all of a sudden, he

was in and Speroni makes the game's someone asking someone a question

absolute stunner. If they are going to stay up courtesy of that goal, it

merits being that decisive. Wonderful! It is goal number 13 of

the season, but it might prove to be very, very lucky for Peterborough.

There was nothing lucky about it. The quality there to be admired. He

keeps possession, rise its -- rides the challenges. It is through the

legs of Olejnik. A fantastic goal and if it is the one that keeps

Peterborough up, it is worthy of moment. How did that not get

converted? It stays 1-0. A fabulous Ball in by Mendez-Laing. Alice could

not defend it. -- Palas could not was. Penalty. It was a poor

challenge. He missed the ball and caught Gabbidon right on the knee.

In stoppage time, at the end of the first half, Murray, looking to

your answer. He moves to 30 league goals of the season but more

importantly, he puts Crystal Palace level at the end of a half in which

they have not been themselves. But freedom than their perilous position

would suggest. Brilliant. Murray. Off the line by Wroe then blocked.

Not away yet. Moxey. Oh, what a pivotal moment, not just in this

game, but maybe in this NPower Championship season. Murray thought

he had scored. Wroe, well that was just brilliant. I'm sure a

psychologist somewhere will tell me why we revert to biting our nails

when the tension reaches levels it is currently reaching. Nathaniel

Mendez-Laing hits it into the corner of the net. Sensational. Where did

that come from? The left boot of Mendez-Laing, he just decided, once

he had cut in, to have a bash. Whether or not Speroni could have

done better, well I guess that is a debate. It bounced just in front of

the keeper and went out of his reach. Peterborough have taken the

lead again. There is all hell breaking lose in the Peterborough

end. There must be news of another goal involving Huddersfield and

Barnsley. Murray. Oh, he's missed it! Big miss. He would have tucked

that into the corner of the net two months ago. Peterborough needing a

win to stay up. Palace needing a win to be absolutely sure of the

play-offs. Dobbie takes. Jedinak heads it. Away by McCann. Gathered

in by Dobbie. Still in Palace's possession. Phils incompetence!

Kevin Phillips. There's nobody quite like him. It was almost a toe shot.

It means an awful lot to Palace. It means even more to Peterborough's

cause. They seem safe Peterborough, but now it's worry time. There is

less than five minutes to go of a 46-game season, and still Darren

Ferguson doesn't know if his mission defender. There might be a message

from the sideline. Free-kick has been conceded, meanwhile. Palace 2,

Peterborough 2. And, Jedinak. Palace may well have won it and sent

Peterborough down. They've come-from-behind, on two occasions.

They lead 3-2. Palace into the play-offs, Peter into League One, it

seems. Darren Ferguson is seething. Added time is almost up.

Peterborough need a goal. They're not going to find one. Crystal

Palace will go into the play-offs, of that there is no doubt. Darren

Ferguson's Peterborough United are Honestly, my head is bust.

Definitely, the best thing I've done in football. Overrides the Cup, any

season before that. The position we are in, people didn't give us a

chance. Speechless. I mean, went ahead twice, they pulled it back.

Fair play them. Quality in the side. We knew that. I thought we deserved

to win today, to be honest. One of those afternoons that will never be

forgotten. We made it hard work for yourselves than we could done. All

credit to Barnsley... -- ourselves. I'm exhausted. You must be drained?

That was the most unbelievable 95/96 minutes I've gone through in a game

of football. It's incredible. I think the right outcome. Both teams

worked their socks off. You know, well done to Barnsley. They made a

right game of it. My players, I'm really devastated for them. I have a

lot of young lads and they are a great bunch of lads. No question

about that. And they just... You need a bit of luck in these games,

we didn't get it today. I have been there myself, that is why I feel a

bit sombre, to be honest, that could have gone either way. Was it a

free-kick? I don't think so. You know, as I say, it's important for

my team to gain a win after being twice behind. I think that is really

important thing to do. We have had a durability six weeks where

everything was going against us. That is three draws and a win.

honest with you, the whole season the only time I thought we were down

was when we were down. Not once did I think we would go down, that

included today. We have. Really I... No words I can say to my players now

No words I can say to my players now will make a difference. I don't

think there will be a miracle today. Could happen, but it's not going to.

Fingers crossed, live in hope. Keep the faith. Even the omens were with

the Wolves. On May 4th 19 85, defeat at Brighton saw Wolves drop into the

third tier after a second successive relegation. 28 years later, Sako was

doing his best to prevent history repeating itself. To avoid the drop

Wanderers needed a win, defeats for Barnsley, Peterborough and goals

swing in their favour. When Brighton had their first attack by Lua Lua it

became mission possible. Brighton could afford to relax. The Seagulls

didn't do anybody any favours. Kuszczak kept out this corner. Their

fourth win out of five games was confirmed before half-time. Lua Lua

was left in space. His second of the match and fifth of the season came

after some nimble foot work. Somersaults from him, Wolves

tumbling only out of the division. Swindon were the last team to go

directly from the top to the third tier, Wolves are now the only club

to have done it twice. This miss said it all about their day.

Wanderers go down with a women per having lost five of their last six

games. We need to get players in the club who are going to put the shirt

on, be prouded to wear the shirt, get the culture right in the club so

that we are all on a winning formula. And, hungry players who

want to roll their sleeves up with no mental baggage. There is so much

damage down mentally to the players it's hard to put right. Season. The

way to confirm we play serious, we didn't play with any other results.

We didn't give any chance to any team in any moment. I think we

deserve as well. A good game to finish. Millwall knew a draw would

see them safe but were aware their play hers run out of steam, drained

after nine games in April, including the FA Cup semi-final. They would be

OK if they could handle the pressure for 90 more minutes. David Forde may

have been unhappy with attention he received earlier on but he collided

with Jamie Ward, not even a free-kick given. When Derby got one

the Irishman in goal made a better impression. Millwall were sweating

even more for the final five minutes after Derby put them at the mercy of

results elsewhere. Sammon struck what could have been a killer blow

to the Lions the points they started with turned out to be enough.

Relieved, if I'm honest, we didn't plan to come here today and get

beat. We needed a draw to sort josh selves out. It wasn't to be. We

looked around to see if anyone did us a favour. With he have survived.

We played great stuff, lovely build-up play. Not quite got the

finish. It has happened this season. Patience paid off. You finished

tenth how would you sum up the season? Good finish in the

competitive league we are in at the moment. We are kicking ourselves to

be seven points off the play-offs. We could have had an extra seven or

eighth points over the past weeks. Sheffield Wednesday are getting used

to last day survivors. This match they needed to win to guarantee

Championship safety. Howard put The Owls in front. This corner was put

in by Lita and they looked comfortable. Bury could have been be

in bigger trouble by half-time, Williams came to t re re-Kew, his

goal-line clearance denied Howard a second. A backpass fleet Lita who

went close to increasing the lead. No matter, it's mission

accomplished. This is a far greater achievement than promotion last

year. This is a hard division. The teams have thrown money at their

wage bills, we competed with that and beat a lot of the top sides. We

look for stability. We had a frustrating second-half of the

season we have been a stop, start, you lose key players and it affects

the fluidity and fluency of the team. The squad hasn't been strong

enough over the course of 46 games I think for 28 games, I think it was,

we were strong enough and could have gone top of the table on New Year's

Day. Ultimately, the harshness of this league caught us out, I think.

Sheffield Wednesday mission accomplished. As far as

Middlesbrough fans are said the least said about the second-half of

the season the better. We saw Clem at Barnsley against Huddersfield.

Aawayy afternoon they were in the bottom three two occasions each at

some point. There was a risky strategy they played out when they

knew Peterborough were behind at Palace. Nobody went for the ball for

the last few minutes. After, they were aware of the score, the game

hadn't finished the Peterborough/ Game. At this stage they are already

mission accomplished they achieved what they are going to do and stay

in it. If Peter went down in the last few minutes of their game and

scored Barnsley would have been relegated. You can understood why

they took their foot off the gas. They both went at it. Both

ultimately, as you could see, very pleased to achieve what they won,

with which was to stay in the division. Good luck to them. Great

job done by the Barnsley boss and his assistant. Peterborough get our

commiserations. Darren Ferguson complained about being on the rough

end of a few decisions he has had a few apologies. Even the free-kick

that led to the goal from Jedinak maybe should not have been given?

When you look at this, you can see the reaction of the players, they

are not happy. You can understand why. He gets the ball. His trailing

leg doesn't come through. When your luck is out. It comes off his

shoulder and finds his way into the goal. Ultimately, that is the one

that puts them down. there are fine Harring gins. At Cardiff a few weeks

ago Barnsley played well they scored a goal in the 95th minute to get the

point. At the time we walked away thinking- how important would that

point be? Huge now.It's part of why they stayed up. They have had a

wonderful turn of the year. He won nine out of 20, fantastic strike

rate. They have done brilliantly to do what they have done and get out

of a difficult fix. They went down on 55 points. They would have been

14 points clear of the relegation zone this time last year. All the

clubs that went down would have stayed up last year. Three teams on

40 got relegated last year. That is 14 points more. He will look back

and thinking, just a feeling of, you know, not where it went wrong, if

only that might have gone for us? Even today, it could have gone the

other way. They played well at times, which looked a tough game on

paper. They played with so much belief, particularly when they lost

seven of their opening games of the season. They beat the same side home

and away. Wolves were relegated for the second successive season.

Looking at the table there confirms the demise of what was once a great

club, of course. They went down with The risks they took, it might have

worked, but clearly there was a huge element of risk that contributes to

that sort of decision. So they are on the back foot in a position where

you get rid of a manager. Mick McCarthy is a solid championship

manager. You can guarantee that you will be OK if you have him. So, with

Ryton, Palace and Watford in the finals, let's find out who will be

joining them. Will Bolton slip-up against Blackpool? The stakes

couldn't have been higher as these two East Midlands teams strolled

cross dropped kindly for Simon Cox. Forest were now in the top six. That

news went down like a lead balloon for Bolton, who now needed a win to

read gain their top six spot. But they fell behind in the Lancashire

derby with Blackpool. Back at the City Ground, Leicester were coming

on strong. Only a win would do for them. After working a short corner,

array opened up the Matty James. They were back in business. And

Bolton were back to requiring a draw. They could still fancy their

chances. Not a good idea to leave Ludo Sylvestre completely unmarked.

A real shock for a side who won their last eight at home. That left

it open for both Forest and the Foxes. Having got their

unchallenged, the Frenchman set up a perfect cross for Andy Keogh, a

crushing blow for the home side is Leicester swapped places with them.

Their promotion rivals trading positions, but Bolton remained

becalmed in seventh. Craig Davies took this through, the shots are

nothing special, but the home side's luck had changed. Now only

Leicester's superior goal difference was keeping Wanderers out of the top

six. But that became immaterial as Forest hit back early in the second

half. Elliott Ward rose the highest to square the score. Leicester

dropped to eighth. Back in Lancashire, back in the top six,

Dougie Freedman's men were pursuing the winner that could all but

guarantee their place. But Darren Pratley blazed over. In Nottingham,

it was still up for grabs. In stoppage time, Leicester launched a

counter-attack, and the hosts found themselves outnumbered. Chris Wood

rolled it back for clocking out. -- could still ruin it for the

visitors. One last charge forward had their opponents panicking, but

Kasper Schmeichel came up with the goods before Ward could only find

the side netting. So Leicester scraped through, but there will be

no fairytale ending this time. The end for Bolton, too. They fell at

the final hurdle. One minute we were thinking that a draw might do. We

wanted to try to win the game, and from the first minute of the last

minute, that is what we try to do. I can't ask anything more for my fans

or my players. Other results did affect us, but you can't go through

life like that. The players showed a lot of courage today. It was a good,

open game of football, both sides trying to win it. And we needed some

good fortune elsewhere. But for us, it puts the season in perspective a

bit. We have had a difficult time, but we have been able to draw a line

under that and still perform very well today. Who knows? It was some

game, going forwards. Two teams giving it absolutely everything to

try and win. I am proud of the players. The gaffer has done great

since he has been here. That is football.

I am not quite sure how they managed to do that. It was only their third

win in 17 games, but Leicester are in the play-offs. And they did it in

a dramatic fashion. It sums up hectic day. It is a local derby.

Looking at these pictures, it was a good job Forest had something to

play for, as well. There is no way in the world they would have left

one against four other back if they hadn't needed to go and get the

winner. It worked out that it made for a result which was good for

Leicester. But to do it in the manner in which they have done it,

where it was a negative them being in the play-offs, because at the

start of the season, they wanted top two. But now it has turned into a

positive. We know that they have good players and on the day they are

capable of beating anybody. It is a real bonus. Looking at the table, it

is amazing to see that Forest got as close as a point to the play-offs. A

great turnaround from Billy Davies. And also for Bolton under Dougie

Freedman, because they were 20th in fibrin. -- February. You have to

start again next season. We know there will be some good clubs come

down from the premiership. It is a fantastic way to finish the season.

And they have a foundation to build from. How do you sense the

play-offs? At times, Watford's movement, their ability to play on

the ball, they can dominate. But Leicester like to play that as well.

What about Palace-Brighton? Brighton have to be favourite for that. They

have given Palace little bit of a walloping. But we know Palace have

players. They can turn the game of football on its head. So they are a

dangerous opponent. As Neil Warnock said last week, the toss of a coin.

Just two more games to show you on the last day, starting at the

Valley, with Charlton against already relegated Bristol City.

COMMENTATOR: The Addicks' fans should be wishing away the summer.

The midfielder was the start of the show as they were swept away in the

second half. Kermorgant backed his second in the space of four minutes.

Michael Morrison's mistake allowed Bobby Reid to mark his first city

start with a goal. But after that it looked back to the old routine.

Redshirts pouring forward, and Kermorgant setting his sights on a

hat-trick of the highest quality. So close, but it was Jonathan Obika who

collected the congratulations instead. Teed up by Bradley

Pritchard, Johnnie Jackson wrapped result for us, and a fitting way for

how we have played over the course of the season, not only recently,

but the players have been outstanding. You never enjoy

football management unless you are winning every week, and only Alex

Ferguson does that. We all enjoy it when it is going well and scratch

our heads when it is not going so well. I have done a lot of

scratching of the last three months. Unaffected by the chaos going on

elsewhere, these two could at least enjoy their five -- final day. With

both sides having confirmed their championship state is a week ago,

this had a typical end of season feel to it, but Burnley brought the

game to life in spectacular fashion. Ipswich's usually stubborn defence

were left helpless. But the other end, Jack Marriot was looking lively

on his debut. Three minutes from the end, Martin Paterson sealed the win

that sees Burnley finish as Lancashire's top club, what Ipswich

can look forward to next season with plenty of optimism. We have been in

that middle zone, up to one end, down to the other, and it is the

madness of the championship this year. My job is to focus on what the

team are doing. I have got belief in what we are doing, and we have

achieved something this season. We have turned it around, stopped the

goals going in and made some improvements.

Barring a 13 goal swing going against them, Rovers could afford to

relax at Birmingham, especially once Zigic post to this one wide. But

while technically still relegation candidates, another set of results

could have taken Rovers above Birmingham and intermittent table.

But Morrison put the blues ahead just before half-time. Blackburn

fought back after the break. David Jones struck the bar as Rovers had

the better of the second half. They grabbed an equaliser on 66 minutes,

Jordan Rhodes scoring his 30th goal on the first half, we created some

good chances. I thought we died a death in the second half. We slowly

but surely lost grip of the game, so probably a fair result. It is not

been the season that the club hoped for. The club now need some

stability. And we have got an important summer ahead for us, and

we have got to make sure that we don't experience what we have

experienced this season. A busy season ahead for both Birmingham and

Blackburn. They will be hoping for a stable manager. Charlton had a

flourish at the end of the season. Chris Powell has turned the home

form around. They have won the last four at home. He has turned that

around. This is their first year up in the division amongst others, they

were a big club in the one below. They have stepped into a division

where there are plenty of other clubs their size. And he has managed

to improve them steadily throughout the season. It has been a real

progression of improvement all through the season, which is

important. He is a decent lad, and a good manager. That is the

championship done and dusted. We have already had the first

tussles of the play-offs in league one and two. Brentford had the dust

themselves down and get their noses COMMENTATOR: Rooney, lovely control

here. And now ferry. It is promising for Swindon town. He picks his spot,

advantage Swindon Town. One last cross. And it is a penalty! Luongo,

who scored the goal, has given away the foul. It is a penalty in any

earlier. This week it earns a draw. Last week it would have been

promotion. And now here is Andy Williams. Oh, what a chance. He is

on side. There is no question of that. And the finish was just

wanting. I had practised with Kevin last week, and I was confident that

he could do it. He stepped up to the task, used all his experience and

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 47 seconds

off the Yeovil player. It was Good save by Stech. Back in by Hill.

Lovely little drag. Away from the Yeovil skipper. The extra four

minutes now. A good save out of Long. Webster with a very good

attempt. Long showed good awareness to deny Webster. We set out to win

the game, that is what we have done. We won the game. It's half-time we

knew at home that we had to get an advantage. We have to go for that

next goal pretty early, get us back in the game it should be a cracking

game. It will be all our fans. I promised them we would give it a

right go. We will see what happens. We don't feel we are out of it, by

We don't feel we are out of it, by any stretch of the imagination.

goal in it between Yeovil and Sheffield United nothing to separate

Brentford and Swindon. I get the impression nobody would argue about

who was taking the penalty? Everybody involved have learnt a

lesson, a harsh one at that. Will is a lot of relief? That has got them

back into the game and pushes... Makes them favourites for the

Makes them favourites for the return. They don't tend to be won on

the first leg, do they? Of course not. Half-time on both of them. You

can't call it at this stage? It's far too close. These are, ultimately

we know that most of these play-off games are very, very tight. You

would be a fool to think that any of those are really clear favourites in

that game, they are not. I won't ask Highlights from the League Two

play-off semi first legs now, with Valley Parade our next stop as

favourites for promotion Bradford welcomed Burton Albion, who were

experiencing their first play-off in COMMENTATOR: Burton were leading by

2-0 with not very long to go and Bradford levelled and then ended up

winning. What ha header by Zola. Burton Albion take the lead. He got

the winner back in October. This goal could well be much more

away. He's found the corner again! Zola is taking Burton to Wembley on

his own at the moment. Looks beyond the last man as the ball is pumped

his way. Bradford appealled in vein for offside. Zola put his head down

and that makes it 2-0 Burton. Real chance for a goal back. Appeals for

handball. Penalty given. Here's the shot coming in from tamson. It

strikes the arms of the player. Put away with great confidence. The

keeper leaping the wrong way. That is a good comeback. It's 3-1 Burton,

two goal cushion is restored once more. Weir on the edge screaming

for. It great pass by MacDonald. He took it ever so sweetly. Looking

dangerous. What a goal! Might just have glanced off the mid drift of

Gary Jones on its way through here, but it was passed Stewart Tomlinson

before it really moved. Bradford 2, Burton 3. I thought it was an

excellent game. That is the most important thing first and foremost,

it was a good advert for League Two football we have shown that Burton

might be a small club, we have fight in us. As I said before, we wouldn't

be fearful, whether we would have enough to beat Bradford over two

legs we started very well. We were poor tonight. That is one of the

poorest we have played. They have good attacking players mind, give

them credit. Defensively we were off offer game. We will have to play

better to get through. Akinfenwa Chase on here for Hackett. He keeps

the ball in play. Delicious ball in, a goal, Roy O'Donovan. Akinfenwa

with the control and the lovely ball re release Hackett, needed a good

cross. It was just behind O'Donovan, but there's terrific technique here

from the Irish striker. Novrt Hampton lead Cheltenham by 1-0. --

Northampton. O'Donovan who played at Coventry City under Aidy Boothroyd.

A chance for Benson! Ball forward from Lowe, Benson in some space. The

wrong side of the post though, as far as Cheltenham are concerned. No

real surprise with the outcome of that first leg of the play-offs

involve involving Northampton and Cheltenham. Three goals from Burton

at Bradford. It's quite a statement. Welcome back those two goals from

Zola? They were fantastic goals, weren't they? When you look at it,

in amongst three defenders there. He is a big lad, isn't he? Gets in

amongst it. You see the ball in, fantastic ball in, three defenders

around him. He gets in between the full-back and the centre half. A

great finish. He shows another side to his game. He has the ball, he has

good ability to set the defender on the wrong foot. He drops his

shoulder. You can see he drops his shoulder here and puts the defender

on the wrong foot he sets it off from his right foot. Your big

players need play. They can be the difference, that is what he was.

the semi-finals return legs. A tight one as far as both are concerned.

Cheltenham, they are strong at home, Northampton have built their success

Northampton have built their success on their home record. Both of those

have an awful lot to play for. Plenty to go for there.

That's your lot from us, but don't forget there'll be more football

league chat on your local teams on Late Kick Off on Sunday night after

Match of the Day 2 at 11.25pm on BBC One.

Although the regular season's done, we'll be back with all the drama

from the Play- Off Finals from all three divisions in special shows on

Sunday 19th May and Monday, 27th May. Steve thanks for your company