21/10/2012 The Football League Show

Welcome along to the best from the Npower Football League, after a

testing few days for the sport following the events in Serbia, not

to mention yesterday's Yorkshire derby. So, could we end the week on

a more positive note? Leroy's here to reflect on the main talking

points from all 36 games. Here's a quick run-down of what else we've

got for you tonight. It's a week of local derbies on the Football

League Show. In the capital the Championship's form side, Crystal

Palace, met South London rivals Millwall - a fixture not for the

faint hearted. We reflect on unsettling scenes at Hillsborough

on Friday night, which marred an otherwise captivating local derby

between Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds. We've action from an

Lancashire affair, as managerless Burnley entertained a Blackpool

side who've looked a little off- colour in recent weeks. And with 14

years of exile we are at Brighton as Gus Poyet's team test their

credentials against Middlesbrough. First to last night's game at

Hillsborough, which was billed as a tasty Yorkshire derby but ended in

controversy and recrimination. Sheffield Wednesday, who'd lost six

out of seven were up against a Leeds side flirting with the play-

off places. Martin Fisher describes there.

Tonge would dearly love to score against Sheffield Wednesday given

his connections with the other team in the City.

Tonge certainly put some level in that. Gardener almost got there.

Appeals for handball. It looks as though Vecchio has got away with

that. I'm pretty sure he handled that. Clearly handled it.

got up well and squeezed it in from Michael Tonge, the former

Sheffield United player scores at Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds are

level. Well Tonge has been the most likely scorer for Leeds all night

and this is an absolute pearler. White put in the hard shift prior

to that, set up Tonge who had found space and found an absolute cracker.

He hit it with paids but significantly hit it with swerve.

Well, what's happened here? Has he been struck by something

thrown from the crowd or even worse. Goodness gracious. That is

outrageous. That's assault. I'm almost speechless as to what I've

just seen. That is outrageous. And hopefully the police and there are

Kenny needed to help it over. It was dropping and dropping and

Kenny scampers across to fing ter over. They should be talking about

a if the ball match a good football match. Two sides having a go at

each other. We are talking about idiots that are going to ruin the

gai. I'm serious. They should be banned from now, for every away

game and whether it be one or 100 or 1,000, unlucky. Because that's

not right. Have your fans brought shame on

your club tonight? I think one of them has. I think the fans in

general were magnificent. I was just talking to the police officers

outside. The noise and everything it was great. All of a sudden you

get a moron like that. There is no place for it in foot bu. The club

made a statement. We all agree with made a statement. We all agree with

it. -- in football. Police have identified the man and

hopefully will deal with him accordingly. What did you make of

what happened? A disgrace tosm see a fan come on a pitch, is one,

absolutely out of order. -- a disgrace. To see a fan come on the

pitch. To see him hit someone - he could have had something in his

hand. If he is stupid enough to come on a pitch, he is stupid

enough to have a weapon. It was a really dangerous thing to see live

on our television screens last night. Goal keep remembers you will

have nefrpblt all footballers are vulnerable. -- you will have

goalkeepers are vulnerable. You can't shelter every player.

can steward everybody in the crowd. That's why they want all-seater

stadiums. They have a seat. They are allocated. But you know where

they are. People can see where they are, if they are making terrible

chants. But the most important thing is the fans self-police. I

have seen loads of fans saying it is a disgrace, they want to

identify him. They have done that. They are the drivers, they can

change it. When fans behave in a way that's unacceptable, they need

to report it. The PFA chief Gordon Taylor says he fears a return to

the dark days, in the wake of recent events the incident with a

ball by last week and what happened in Serbia. Do you feel the same?

This has been under the surface all the time. It has come to the fore

now. I'm starting to see how people really think and behave. We have to

take this as an opportunity to make sure we drive it out. That's saying

zeerl has to be applied to all of these things -- zero tolerance. Has

to be applied to make sure we don't want Go back it what happened when

I played and we don't see these scenes. Well moving on to what we

should be talking about is the football. The comebacks kings.

Having lost the first three matches of the season, crystal pal has won

six of the last seven by make a habit of coming from behind.

Millwall have enjoyed a mini Millwall have enjoyed a mini

revival recently. It is a fantastic atmosphere at

Selhurst Park for this derby match. Palace having taken many of the

noipbts their last meetings. -- of the points in their last

linking Zaha to a move to the Premier League. He helped England's

under-21 side qualify for next year's under-21 European

through. The first chance of the match for

Murray. Zaha able to get there. Murray with

the overhead kick that was always goalkeeper Forde was there. Again

it was the trickery of Zaha that led to the opportunity of Crystal

Palace. Dikgacoi unable to get much power on it.

Appeals for handball there, particularly from the Palace fans

behind the goal. The referee waving brilliant.

My goodness me, that would have been quite a goal from Wilfred Zaha.

Look how many Millwall players he Henderson!

What a chance for Millwall. A fantastic run from Chris Taylor. He

set it up nicely for Henderson. And the header become across goal just

Palace faithful and what a goal it was. Jedinak go the his first goal

of the season and put Crystal Palace in front in the south London

derby. Moxey sets him up. Look how far he is out from goal. That ball

from breevers. I think the yellow start is for

Dani Shittu for his constant complaining. Five cautions for

Millwall in this first half and it's Delaney.

Delaney makes it 2-0 to Crystal Palace. A free-kick floated in and

Damien Delaney got his head to it and he has scored in successive

penalty. Dean Moxey punched that away and this will be a red card.

No doubt about it. That header was going in and Dean Moxey on the line,

punched it clear. Moxey knows already what is happening. He is

dismissed and Crystal Palace two goals up, are one man down and they

might just have their lead cut in half now.

The goalkeeper went the wrong way and Millwall are right back in this

A huge roar from the Millwall fans who have made the short journey

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds

across south London to support a look at Maria's feet. -- up

Murray's feet. There were hands on on the Crystal Palace goal,

that out. Millwall are back on Beevers who has drawn Millwall

the goalkeeper drops on it. Anxious It was obviously a sending off, no

complaints, but I thought the first 40 minutes, I thought we would run

away with the game. The sending off put us on the back foot. We showed

defensive qualities. We got a good point out of it. We did very well

to come back from 2-0 down away from home. We put pressure on

Crystal Palace. Throughout the second half, they were down to ten

men, we finished the stronger side. Both sides could have nicked it at

the end. It was an entertaining game, wasn't it? It was come of

those guys are normally Dower faced but it was entertaining. Both teams

went at it. I thought Crystal Palace were better in the first

half but Millwall had chances. I am disappointed that they went a

couple of goals down but they wasn't it? From this angle, he is

not at fault, he does not see it until it goes past the head of

Pedersen. He can't move his feet, can't get across to make the save

but a great strike from Jedinak. Crystal Palace went to nil work but

then came the turning point with Moxey. Henderson had a chance, he

beat the goalkeeper in the air and Moxey, instinctively, puts his

hands up and there was a hand ball off the line. He would be better to

let it in, maybe? Absolutely, but that is an instinctive thing to put

his hand up and in the end it was a costly mistake. Not only did he

concede the penalty but he went off and rightly so. They are down to

ten men. It compounded the situation. This is a fantastic

penalty, this is one of the penalties you practise on your own,

trying to hit the side netting. He had a good game. He did, you were

watching the game and you enjoy I do, I like the wide players on

both sides. I like Chris Taylor, it was his debut. They had a really

prominent game today. Every time they got it in one-on-one

situations, what a wide player once, they got the wide players in

situations where they could turn and invariably the created

something. Both sides were really expansive and I enjoyed the game.

Off on the Championship now and having won six of the left -- last

seven matches, Cardiff started top of the table. Next, a trip to

matter of time before Forest caught fire and a visit from the leaders

appeared to fuel their ambitions of being one of the season's

contenders. Sean O'Driscoll's side have enough quality to be up there

Challen t -- challenging. The foot of Reid provided the breakthrough.

His second goal in as many matches was the catalyst for the home side,

who doubled their lead two minutes later. I Chela headed home. --

Ayala. Cardiff had scored two goals in their previous eight outings but

when Sharp got his first in Forest colours, there was no way back. The

hopes of a 4th successive win were in tatters, although Helguson

raised hopes. The Welsh club refused to go quietly. Tommy Smith

was there next to test Forest resolve. There was a smart stop and

there were so -- and there two goal cushion was preserved. The

afternoon ended on a sour note. Guedioura chopped down Taylor.

Having just returned from a ban, he has another one coming his way.

Forest can reflect on a job well done. A thought we were excellent

in the first half. They came with a game plan to flood the midfield and

they have been really successful from their league position. We

solved the problem quickly. can't legislate for a beautiful

free kick like that and it was a top class free kick. It gave the

momentum. Even then I thought there was no danger but again, a couple

of minutes later we have to defend the high ball and we did not. It

was 2-0. They can relax a little. Cardiff's defeat gave Leicester the

opportunity to top the table. The inform Foxes were targeting the 6th

consecutive win, the first time since the early 1990s. Dyer was too

keen to get it. He did not delay his run sufficiently. The

linesman's flag denied the goal. That was the first of many narrow

escapes for Birmingham. Leicester controlled the first half. Waghorn

missed the best chance. To make matters worse, Birmingham took the

lead in first-half stoppage time. Lovenkrands scored. The Foxes were

caught on the break and against the run of play. Leicester's dominance

continued in the second half. Waghorn was again the unlucky man

as Birmingham keeper Jack Butler and kept the Blues head. There was

nothing he could do as Leicester levelled things with 86 minutes on

the clock. Marshall's shot was just out of the goalkeeper's reach. It

secured the point. The Foxes are at the top on goal big if -- on goal

difference. This was a better showing for Birmingham but things

unravelled later on. Spector tripped a player and received his

second yellow card. It could have been worse. The resulting free kick,

it was only the brilliance of Buckland but denied marshal his

second goal. Leicester's winning run may be over but top spot will

give them a bigger lift. We had to settle for a point today. But the

players have worked exceptionally hard, yet again. I am pleased with

their performance. I think we were fantastic today. A very good team

performance in terms of application and some real quality as well.

Jermaine Pennant has a waltz side with five wins out of six. The

warning had the desired effect with the Wolves defence breached for the

first time in four away games. Jak Codd's cross was inch-perfect. --

his quality and the home side were in control. In fact, you would have

been forgiven for thinking that Huddersfield were Premier League

side last season such was their first-half superiority. Beckford

denied this time. The half-time introduction of Edwards gave Wolves

some solidity in midfield. They blowback it when his cross was met

by Ebanks-Blake, five goals for him. Edward's struck the post in the

closing stages. Huddersfield were well worth their win and the high

praise from the manager. I thought we got in their faces, we worked

hard, put them under pressure. We had great balls into the box. If we

had been four off either Pat half- time nobody could have had any

complaints because we gave them a tough time against the top team,

top players and a team that have Huddersfield's top to work looking

shot. A great goal from Reid. But from Sharp, off the mark now and

playing under a manager who does not have to put him under pressure

without the goals because he knows all about it. Yes, a manager he is

comfortable with. He has known him from Doncaster. That was a terrific

finish. A lot of people did not expect him to pull it back. Billy

is one of those strikers who needs someone who believes in him and he

does that. He is rusty, he hasn't had the run of games because he has

been at Southampton and not played much. That goal will do him the

world of good. Leicester are top for the first time this season.

They may not have the big names we saw previously but they look like

the United unit, don't they? Yes, Nigel Pearce has said he is the

best defender in this disc -- in this division and that is key. He

knows this division. He is looking slick, fit, and couple that with

Nugent, an England international, it is a nice blend. The experienced

players are helping the younger players and their players who know

the leak. It is a package that seemed reworking. Every time I see

Leicester played, they play well. That consistency will see them do

well. So far so good for them. Much has changed at Brighton since Gus

Poyet became the Seagulls manager three years ago. The move from the

Withdean Stadium to the Amex Stadium, plaudits for the manager,

Albion were sitting play-off -- sitting pretty in the play-off

positions going into the weekend. Clem went south to catch up on the

team heading in the opposite Bright and's 14 years without a

place to call home shape to generation of supporters who were

as familiar with Whelan wrangles as football formations -- Brighton.

They are making up for lost time. They have the biggest average

crowds and the Football League. 25,500 luxury waiting in the

stadium that has pushed the boundaries in every respect. Their

next challenge, to rewrite the history books on the field. Since

their formation 1901, Brighton have been in the top flight but only

four seasons. It is amazing, isn't it? Do you know something, first

things first, we stood on this spot two years ago. This is another

world, isn't it? Completely. We go here, last year it was spectacular,

grey football days in here. Then I find out we are having an extra

5,000 seats and there is more pressure for the manager. Do you

feel the pressure to deliver the team that goes with this? I do and

I love it. That is me. Is there any danger that you start to try and

run too quickly? We are very realistic about where we are, where

we have come from and where we want to get it. It is a question of

working hard to make sure we move in the right direction. I know that

people will like to go to the Premier League tomorrow but I am

realistic. It is too difficult. There is too many teams. Have to

get used to the Championship. We will try. The stadium is a

fantastic Foundation for us to move forward. We have planning

permission for a new training ground as well so we can start to

attract and retain the best young players, attract the best players

we can to the football club and hopefully keep things moving ahead.

Is the sole of Brighton still here? The sole is very much intact. It

has got bigger quickly. It took a couple of come when we first got

here, you had to pinch yourself. We had gone up a division and we were

playing well but it took getting walloped by Crystal Palace again. A

sense of community comes out of collective strike. What are you

thinking of doing? Listen, if they want me here, I will stay. I am

enjoying it. If we don't hit the roof, if there is no roof, we can

always go and improve and I will consecutive away win. It is in! Oh,

it has gone all the way through. It has taken a wicked deflection off

asked Tony Mowbray looks to celebrate his 100 sq game in charge

Got his finger tips to it. Do the boys need to get used to be the

bigger crowds and the heightened expectations. You have dropped more

points here... They have to get used to plenty of things. That is

one. The second one is how their position is going to play here. How

difficult they are going to make it for us. When you have one chance,

you need to make sure you put it in. That will change the game. It's not

the same if you are winning or coming back in the game and they

are coming up. I said to the players, yeah, it could be. I will

check later on that. Maybe a few players they start feeling a little

bit of pressure. It would be really unfair on them because I don't

think they should feel like that. Gus Poyet learning his team are

being targeted after their recent success? Being shown the respect

they deserve. I saw them. I was impressed. Not surprised team going

if there with their back four and co-operating them in place, they

play with the three spread wide, Brightonment Brighton have to break

them down. They need to take the early chance to open up the game.

That isn't what they have been doing. Middlesbrough it keeps them

in the hunt. Look at their injury list. They have been without 11 key

players at various times this season already, staggering, isn't

it? It is. The key for Middlesbrough to keep Jonathan

Woodgate fit and another experienced centre half impressed

with the signing of Leadbitter. They keep the key players country

down the centre of the pitch. Keeping the key players fit will be

important. They are doing OK. Seventh now.

After a good start, Blackpool's form has suffered in recent weeks.

Three defeats in four has seen Ian Holloway's side slip to eighth in

the table. The Tangerines were at Burnley, a

club left reeling by the departure of manager Eddie Howe to League

One's Bournemouth last week. Well, new caretaker boss Terry

Pashley made three changes to Burnley with Brian Stock among the

players to be recalled.$$NEWLINE Ian Holloway also made three

changes to his side after their loss at Charlton with Tom Ince

recalled to the starting line-up. Your match commentator for this one,

Your match commentator for this one, Dan O'Hagan. Stanislas. Charlie

Austin. No flag. No goal either. Of all the players for the ball to

come to, in all the positions as well, you would have put your house

on Austin here. Close call. Played on by Baptiste. The finish lacking.

Good finger tips from Gilks. This is Michael Duff for Burnley. He had

the better of the opening exchanges. Lovely ball from the centre half

out to stance slas. The cross towards austiness --Stanislas. --

Austin. Great delivery. First goal. Who else? Charlie Austin! 13 league

goals already. The divisions' main man. 16 goal this is season. The

man no-one can contain, Charlie the top. He has scored six league

goals this campaign, Tom Ince, he is Blackpool's top scorer.

Stanislas again to light the fires. Goalkeeper save. A corner only.

Austin full of confidence. Stanislas away. The goalkeeper was

the last man. This might be the last attempt. It will be Ross

Wallace. Side neting. He has scored Eardley. Tom Ince it's a rare

chance for Blackpool. A good chance for Ince. He is their in-form

player in terms of goals, six this season. This should have been

Shackell. He wants a flag. It didn't come. The skipper had to

make sure it was cleared away. Crainey's cross. Baptiste with the

header. The post. Fletcher goes so close. The goal keep is in action.

Having had a quiet game, the fingers tips on that. Second from

wide! Taylor-Fletcher there was mighty close again here for

Blackpool. Deflection there off the back of Jason Shackell, I think.

Here's Paterson. He misread the ball's flight. This shot into the

Still Vokes. Vokes nearly breaks Still Vokes. Vokes nearly breaks

his Burnley duck here. We had to weather a storm against a good team

in the second-half. They put us under pressure. Grant made double

save that was out of this world. I didn't think he had a great deal to

do in the first half, when called upon I thought he was fantastic.

had a feeling he wouldn't be bad. That is why we offered the money

first. He choose to come here. Today, after all that football,

after all that 94/95 minutes he made the biggest impact on the game.

Unfortunately, we didn't create enough and get past their goalie.

Ian Holloway reflecting on another defeat for Blackpool. New manager

in charge at Burnley, same goalscorer. Charlie Austin is in

goalscorer. Charlie Austin is in the form of his life, isn't he?

a natural goalscorer. He has been doing it all his life. He

concentrates on heading it down and getting good contact. It gives the

keeper no chance. 13 goals this season. Great finish. I don't think

season. Great finish. I don't think the celebration went to plan.

Burnley indebted to their Burnley indebted to their

goalkeeper in the second-half. Wh a double save from Lee Grant. Great

save from Baptiste. To get up, then make that save, Taylor-Fletcher was

outstanding. That won them the game. After that, Blackpool game into the

game. That was the key to them getting the three poinds points.

Four defeats in five for Blackpool. Four defeats in five for Blackpool.

What is going on there? A couple of things the speculation with Ian

Holloway and Blackburn isn't happening. I thought Blackpool were

flat. I didn't think I would say that about Ian's side. They had

players involved in that Under-21 game in Serbia. Tom Ince fantastic,

Delfouneso is a work horse. They didn't have that park today. Them

two things - It goes with why he is fedup with all the speculation?

Absolutely. It doesn't help. It's not of his making. Because he has

been so successful at Blackpool people will come knocking saying he

is linked with this and that. It doesn't help him him when he has

done the great job he has Done at Blackpool. Blackpool at their best

when they know the manage certificate behind them. At the

moment there are doubts. It's creeping through to the players and

their performances. A month on from Steve Kean's

departure from Blackburn and we're still no clearer who will be taking

charge at Ewood Park. So, that meant interim boss, Eric

Black, was again in the hot seat for the trip to Nigel Clough's

for the trip to Nigel Clough's Derby. This was the game of two

halves. Derby did little in the first 45 minutes. This was their

best effort Theo Robinson could only manage a limp finish. Derby's

placers have returned from Florida. You wondered if a few minds were

still on the Sunshine State. Scot Dann went close. The goalkeeper was

in action doing even better from Gamst Pedersen's shot. Derby were

pulled out of position before Rhodes got his fourth Blackburn

goal. An improved second-half showing from Derby had Blackburn on

the back vote. Coutts went close before the pressure increased late

on. Paul Robinson's save from Bryson but couldn't keep out

Robinson's follow-up. Five games without a win for managerless

Rovers. We weren't at it in the first half. It took a long time to

get going. In the second-half we were worthy of a point. There is no

disguising the problems at Ipswich, no win in ten before this one.

Jewel is facing questions over his position on a weekly basis.

Emmanuel-Thomas went through the Hull defence to get his first goal

in 13 games. The focus for Ipswich was on protecting rather than

extending their lead. Hull couldn't get past Henderson. As Ipswich were

in sight of an unlikely win Proschwitz got his first goal,

three minutes after coming on. Ipswich looked to have scraped the

draw. Proschwitz stole the points in stoppage time. A good day for

Steve Bruce having paid over �2.5 million for the striker. He had to

wait for a few weeks. Hopefully that will lift him. Hopefully we

will see NEC Nick at his best. He will have to wait patiently. Good

for him, I'm pleased. Peterborough had cause for optimism for the trip

to vicarage road. They made a confident start limiting the home

side's chances. The bombardment continued. The woodwork denied the

player a first ever goal in English footballer. The visitors were being

overrun. Darren Ferguson made a tactical switch to regain control.

The game seemed destined to finish goalless. The championship's bottom

club were heading for another defeat. Vydra piled on the misery

to leave Peterborough five points Charlton. This was another bad day

for the home side. The addicts threatened only from set pieces.

Stevens's' free kick retired an intervention from the Barnsley

keeper. Green Lettin Cywka. -- let in Cywka. They rode their luck in

this one. The six Barnsley players in and around the goal line said

everything about determination to come away from the Valley with all

three points. We nullified the opposition. They were an excellent

side in their own right. I am pleased to have finished the game

off. We have been guilty a suppose in the past of not finishing

offsides and we have played equally as well. After the Great When we

had on the road, you know, I was looking for the team to respond and

get back to back wins but it has not happened. As is always in the

championship, there is another game coming thick and fast and there

will be looking for response from the players. Phillips and Bali took

the reins at Bolton following Owen Coyle's departure. City took the

lead within three minutes. Steven Davis -- Davies showed tremendous

technique. Bolton have conceded more penalties than any other

Championship team this season and four became five when there was a

loose ball. Davies's left foot. And just after the half-hour, Bolton

had the lifeline. Eagles demonstrating his quality to

register a six-goal of the season. Bolton created more of Tempest --

attempts on goal than anyone else in the division before this one.

Spearing scored. It was a one-sided second half. They had to wait until

seven minutes from time for the elusive third goal. Petrov had a

comeback in some style. Bolton will not be rushed into appointing a new

manager and it was a fine first Edition for their new caretaker.

have the club's best interests at heart. We have played for the club.

We have been other first-team level. It is something we accepted gladly.

We wanted to do it because we won the club to achieve success this

Bolton were arguably the comeback of the day on Saturday. So much

credit has to go to the players. He feared the worst for them, didn't

you? After 20 minutes they were down, they had a new people,

caretaker-manager is in charge, you felt it would be a difficult

afternoon but they showed spirit and almost grabbed three points.

The season is going from bad to worse at Paul Jewell at Ipswich, a

late comeback win by Hoare. Paul says he is considering his future.

What do you think you will do? me there is a look of resignation

about him at the moment. When the manager says there he keeps

repeating himself and they are not listening, look at this second goal,

he just takes it from the goalkeeper, goes for a cross is it.

It is not right. He does not feel that they are responding to what he

is doing and what you're saying and when you get that point it becomes

very difficult. It has taken a while for Hull City to get going,

Proshwitz. It was going to take a while for him to settle but the

pressure came with the thief. They have not scored goals, people

expect him to hit the ground running because he is a big-money

signing. It does not work like that. It is good to see him get on the

scoresheet and to the fans in his favour. Something else that is

taking a while to get going is the appointment for replacement up

Steve Kean at Blackburn. It is three weeks now. It took a long

time to make an approach to Tim Sherwood, which was turned down and

you don't know what is going on. It is important to get someone in the

with experience, get the men seem and it is having an effect on their

season. They want to take their time and make the right decision

but they have to narrow it down and get something sorted because they

are drawing to many games and they could be off the pace if they keep

doing this. One of the surprise managerial appointments of the

season, Eddie Howe was persuaded to rejoin Bournemouth from Burnley. Is

unveiling had the desired effect with a win over Leyton Orient. What

could he orchestrate from a devout? His second coming began with the

as born of boss came against a team topping the table at the time and

the opening test got his second spell in charge of the picture is

presented just the same challenge. It was all going according to form

when Jervis put the League 1 leaders ahead just before the break

and with Tranmere keeping clean sheets in half of their previous

games this season, the home fans may have been fearing the worst.

The Howe first -- half-time team- talk did the trick. Gibson scored.

It was an own goal. Artur's effort five minutes later, marking his

comeback from an injury. His manager approved afterwards. How

last -- Howe must have known it was going to be his day when Francis

drilled in his first goal in three years to secured back-to-back

League wins for the first time since January and lift the Terrors

out of the drop zone. -- cherries. The first half we tried to play.

They made it difficult. We did not create a lot. The second half, we

really got going, as did the crowd. It was a good half in the end.

thought the boys did fantastic. Top of the league. 13 games in. We have

to start again. We have two home games to come out and perform like

we did the the first half and kick Tranmere prospects it gave

Stevenage the chance to close the gap. Standing in their way was a

Danns side yet to lose on their own patch but out to impress after

being held in their peak -- previous three matches. A beauty

from Akins. Some of us -- some have accused MK Dons of flagging in

recent weeks but they responded positively in their quest for an

equaliser. Chadwick made a beeline for the box before -- Chadwick made

a beeline for the box. There is Miss's team clung on to reduce

Tranmere's lead at the top 2-4 points. The pleasing factor is that

after a tough week last week in difficult circumstances, we lost

our unbeaten run and I think there were a few people looking to see

whether or not we could bounce-back make sure of a 4th win in five in

the league. Hartlepool survived one failure to clear from a corner.

Akpan made sure there were not left on -- left off the hook the second

time around. For the visitors back early lead became first-half

dominance. Jones' industry creating but squandering their best chance

for 2-0. The scene continued after the break. Hartlepool manager Neil

Cooper will be feeling the heat with his side now not winning in 11.

They were fortunate Gary Alexander could not make there after the more

dismal. -- could not make thereafter mood more dismal.

The Coventry boss called on his side to show the same work ethic

that Notts County did at the Riikka Stadium. The Sky Blues could have

taken an early need but on load international Boucaud open the

scoring. -- on loan. It was bittersweet for the county boss,

who fears his impressive form will see other clubs come calling.

Arquin back his 4th of the season following a summer switch from

Hereford. A few minutes later, Wood gave Coventry hope. The visitors

held on and extended their club record to 14 away games unbeaten.

Coventry slipped into the relegation zone. The effort today,

the willingness to learn and the work is there. We are naive team at

times. We have a young squad. We have a young players in there who

have to learn the game as well. There are times when we did get the

Sheffield United the lead at Preston. The Blades hoping to

continue their best start to a season since they were promoted to

the Premier League. That is a distant memory now. Kitson's top

flight experience is proving useful. His third of the season was

beautifully put away to move United a former British ambassador to

Afghanistan. When James Collins kept his cool foreign six of the

campaign, the new man seemed set to start with a win. On the previous

six occasions the Robins have scored first this season. They have

taken maximum points. That record was tested from the minute Flint

upended Scunthorpe's Liam Clarke. His not guilty pleas fell on deaf

ears. Already booked, Flint must have known what was coming. The I

am have the division's most goal shy attack but had an hour to make

use of the man advantage. Hawley on the end of this cross. Their 9th

goal of the season. Ten-man Swindon came closest to a winner. The

chance falling to Rooney. They have workshop in the week aimed at

helping managers deal with the stresses of the job. Given that

they have lost their last three, he was probably in need of a pick-me-

up. Paterson scoring for the second home league game running lifted the

bosses mood. Cuvelier had Belgium Under 21 commitments last week. He

scored after 26 minutes. Palin have failed to score in five of their

last eight weeks -- games, the travelling fans might have been

fearing the worst. But after Ellis touched in a goal, the Railwaymen

snatched at point in stoppage time. Aneke showed wise the manager wants

to keep his loan from Arsenal going as long as possible. Brentford have

not scored against Doncaster for seven years. Donaldson could not

believe his luck. That miss threatened to prolong the agony.

Douglas was not quite so wasteful. The former Leeds man on the end of

the through ball descent Brentford to the brake on top. That fine

finish put them on course for their first win with the season -- away

win of the season. Rovers were back on terms with 16 minutes to play

with a goal from Cotterill. That his five goals for the winner,

which is good news for Dean Saunders, who wants his strikers to

start following suit. They were told to start scoring, or you are

dropped. Paynter got the message, his third of the season ending

Benford's six match unbeaten run. All them's up ten has coincide with

Matt Derbyshire's arrival. This goal from unmissable territory, has

fought off the loan spell from Nottingham Forest. Another striker

putting Premier League and European experience to use in League 1 is

Baxter. How about this from the one-time Everton player? Three wins

in four for the surgeon. Colchester have made a habit of

falling behind this season but were close to taking an early lead

against Carlisle through Wordsworth. They have been a punch-up between

the managers when the teams met in 2010. The first half blows the

would have hurt the Carlisle boss. After teeing up Eastmond, the

winger provided a second assist in the space of six minutes. It was

another loan signing on target as Ibehre that his 4th goal since

joining from MK Dons. The omens did not look good for Shrewsbury. In

nine previous trips to Portsmouth stretching over 102 years, they had

lost every time. When Thomas raced clear, the trend looks set to

continue. He was on target for a third successive home match. Soon

after, pommie stretched the lead. McLeod finished. The player is

firmly in the groove after a patchy start to the campaign. He stretched

his scoring streak further. Not before shrews Prix provided a

spirited response. Somerfield's shot was too hot to handle. Morgan

squeezed travellers into contention. That was the big man's final

contribution. Straight from the kick-off his mistimed tackle and

him a booking. Incensed by the decision, he got another one for

getting in the referee's face. But despite being a man like, that he

refused to cave in. The challenge was finally killed off on the

stroke of full-time as McLeod nipped in to back his 6th goal in

five games. Portsmouth have taken 13 points from the last 15

available. This latest success puts them to within four points of a

hour left, Bury down to 10 men, not done with the generosity. The

goalkeeper was guilty of butter fingers, Webster scoring. Yeovil

cleansheets are rare. The Shakers equallise, Poleon hoping he had

made amends for his club mates. Yeovil took two minutes to reclaim

the lead, Foley's header enough for the points. Bury the only side in

the Football League without a win. That win for Bury proving elusive

That win for Bury proving elusive this season. Bournemouth against

Tranmere, people surprised about Eddie Howe going back, were you one

of them? In one way it's surprising when a team from League One pays

money for a manager for the Championship. Not if you know

Championship. Not if you know anything from Eddie Howe. It seems

to be his spiritual home. It was really difficult to get him out of

Bournemouth in the first place, if Bournemouth in the first place, if

I'm honest. He took a while to make the decision to go to Burnley.

Although he was building a job there I think he feels comfortable

at Bournemouth where he was an influential player and does a good

job as a manager. Now they have money they will be expected -

Expectations have rocketed while he has been away. He love that is club.

I think that is why he has gone back. A great goal by Simon Francis

there. Stevenage back to winning ways. They suffered their first

ways. They suffered their first defeat last week. Gary Smith never

sure how his players would respond. Not an easy place to get a result

from. Great strike there. I saw him last week he said this is a

division where you will lose games. He was relaxed about. It they lost

a game last week, they have come back. He know what is his players

are about. He trusts his players. They repaid him. Frustration for

the MK Dons without Gleeson for three months. Three of his top

scorers from last season out midterm. Portsmouth have a good

sequence of results together. They could be brought out by the

supporters' Trust incredible? McLeod has gone there, Barnet

almost got relegated out of the league. He has nine goals this

season. They have been thrown together, Michael Appleton has done

a wonderful job. It show what is a good coach he is. Not surprising to

good coach he is. Not surprising to see him linked with other jobs.

Now, with a quarter of the season gone in League Two, Gillingham were

already threatening to break away from fourth place.

The Gills began the day eight points clear from those chasing

automatic promotion. Next up, a game against in-form

Burton, who were unbeaten in eight and handily placed in the play-off

and handily placed in the play-off places. With Port Vale hot on their

heels the visit of Burton was a big test for Gillingham. Once Flanagan

had the home side ahead they held the whip hand. It was a day for

goalscoring defenders. Four were on target. Things were going

swimmingly for Matt Fish, he doubled the lead five minutes

before the break. Port Vale to play on Tuesday, Burton could have a big

influence on the top of the table this week. It was only briefly that

they threatened a come back here. Diamond pulled one back. The League

leaders reasserted themselves. Weston's finish was mere child's

play. Joe Martin wrapped up Gillingham's seventh win out of

nine, four minutes later. This was four goals in successive games for

the league leaders, not that Martin Allen is counting. They are a

really good team, 4-1, wasn't it? Good result, good performance. I

don't know if it's the best of the season but three points. Gareth

ains woth worth must be under consideration for the full-time

role after steering them to three wins on the bounce in all

competitions. It started so well Grant found the bottom corner. The

game's pivotal moment came in stoppage time. Wycombe were down to

10. They have scored the most goals in the division. It was a mammoth

task for Wycombe to keep them out. Williamson shot home before the

hour mark, richly deserved. Pope headed in his 13th to put Vale

ahead much he made it 14 with a wonderful header three minutes from

time. There was enough time for Vincent to add a flattering gloss

to the scoreline. 4-1 it finished Vale stay within touching distance

of Gillingham at the top. AFC Wimbledon had conceded 26 goals

already going into their trip at Fleetwood. It wasn't a surprise

when the Cod Army took the lead through gee lip si early on.

Harrison scored, so he has netted in all of his last four games.

There weren't any more goals. There was a lesson on how to defend an

indirect free-kick from six yards out. Exeter are freefalling faster

than an Austrian skydiver. They suffered a fifth defeat out of six

here. Atkinson's goal was enough for Chesterfield to win a fifth

came under their caretaker-manager. Despite this eye-catching effort,

it was only the keeper that ended up in the back of the net. A

meeting two of sides with relistic promotion ambitions, Bradford need

recapture their early season form having failed to win any of their

last four games before this one. The presence of handson caused

Cheltenham one or two problems. The side stood firm. Cheltenham could

boost an unbeaten record before this one. The skipper took the

responsibility from the spot. A fraught finish to the first half

saw three bookings in time added on. Bradford were awarded a penalty of

their own. Wells stood up and Bradford were level at the break.

Wels is making a name for himself this season. He gave them the lead

midway through the second-half. It was his seventh goal in seven games.

While Wells will take the plaudits for a fine individual display,

Bradford's third goal was a team effort. Meredith rounded off a fine

move and an excellent win for Bradford. Oxford manager claimed

Monday's loss to Port Vale was a step back. One manmade sure they

rediscovered a firm footing, Caddock's shot was too hot for the

goalkeeper. The striker dominated the contest, soon leading the

charge in search of further spoils, patience and then power bought him

a second. Craddock was on cue to complete a hat-trick much he

doubled his season's tally in a 24 minute spell of devastating

finishing. Oxford had taken four points from the previous 27

available, but they, and Craddock weren't finish, Constable did the

leg work for his strike partner's fourth. Only a goal-line clearance

prevented Craddock from going one better. Alfie Potter completed the

scoring. The day, and the match souvenir, belonged to Craddock.

think all the team played well. It wasn't just us. We are there to

finish it off. It was a team performance. We stood up and were

counted after a disappointing result on Monday. Well done to

everyone. Rochdale's Ryan Edwards twice gave Plymouth a helping hand

in this one. When the defender palmed away this cross, they were

rewarded a fourth fourth minute penalty. Madjo struck an early blow

for the Green Army. That was the catalyst for Plymouth to play their

best football of the season so far. Gurrieri first goal came three

minutes later. The Pilgrims were on their way to three points. In the

second-half, Kennedy appeared to use his arm to control this header.

It Plymouth's astonishing the referee gave Rochdale a penalty.

The keeper made the safe from Bobby Grant. Adebola's fifth goal came

with enough time to mount a comeback. The left hand of Ryan

Edwards proved influential. He shoved Joe Lennox, an injury-time

penalty was awarded. Madjo converted it. They had back-to-back

wins for the first time in a year- and-a-half. If they organised a

mini version of League Two in the South West, Rovers would be doing

nicely. They secured four points on trips to Plymouth and Exeter. They

struck first against Torquay thanks to Eaves. Lund then found the

bottom corner. The visit overs prospects didn't look better after

this crash. The Devon club suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat midweek.

The 10 men showed resilience. They cut the deficit on 53 minutes. Howe

go the his goal. With more than half an hour to play it was all

square. Aaron Downes tide the scores. Rofrs got the decisive --

Rovers got the decisive shot, Eaves kept the team moving in the right

direction with this shot. Another disappointing day in the dug-out

and Rotherham's boss returned from his touchline ban. Frecklington

showed while he was brought in. Robert Harris got his first since

joining from Blackpool. Revell rewarded the manager's faith late

Arena saw little in the way of clear-cut chances for either side.

Morecambe got the winner two minutes from time. This was

RedShaw's third goal. Brody was sent off. They recorded their third

win in four games. After watching his new side lose last week, David

put his boots on. He hadn't played for two years. The Bees were the

only League Two side to register a win this season. The delight which

accompanied Pearce's opener was understandable. Northampton have

conceded second-half goals, they did so again. Barnet increased

their advantaged. Here they beat was unairing. There was time for

Edgar to get his name on the scoresheet. Antony Edgar took a

pass from the great man before wrapping up the victory. They still

have a way to climb. Barnet had their first win of the campaign.

The Dutchman's career as a player/coach was off to a

successful start. It's been far from home sweet home for York of

late. Four games without scoring, just two league points secured.

Ashley Chambers ended that home drought, it was enthusiastically

celebrated. The Dagenham & Redbridge response was swift. Luke

Wilkinson accepting the free header. The hosts were back ahead before

the break. This was cross was inviting, Chambers doubled his and

York's tally. Back came the Daggers again. This time, Wilkinson could

only shave the woodwork. Old fashioned direct wing play from

Danny Kearns helped York further ahead. Blair benefiting from the

defending. Dagenham didn't go quietly. Defender Wilkinson also

demonstrated his technique from long-range toorks late for York

Gillingham of scoring goals all over the place. Three of their back

four scored today. He will be smiling and he is fit sleep come

with a massive grin on his face. He will say, we are almost say flat.

The Port Vale, they are still up there. That is without a scouting

network in place. I heard them talking about him, they said, we

just get on with it. He said he can't believe somebody might by

Port Vale, they must be mad. Keep your mouth shut! Let's look at

individual performances, Edgar Davids. By the way this man run

around as a 39-year-old, it was after 14 minutes and that set the

tone, it got the tempo going. He looks fit. It is a great result for

Barnet against Northampton. Craddock did better. Well done to

him, the individual the forwards of the day, four goals of the five

against Accrington. A great performance. Chris was upset by the

performance in midweek against Port Vale. And it he made five changes.

Hopefully they can get back to winning ways. Let's look at the

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