08/03/2014 The Football League Show

Evening, good to have you with us as we reflect on a another dramatic

afternoon in the Skybet Football League. For some clubs, issues off

the pitch threaten to overshadow the good work being done on it, as we

saw at Birmingham this week, with owner Carson Yeung jailed for six

years. Steve's here to reflect on the day's other big headlines, and

here's what's coming up tonight. With just one win in five,

promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest are losing ground at just the wrong

time. Today, Billy Davies' side went in search of a change in fortune at

bottom club Barnsley, we've the best of the action from a crucial match

at Oakwell. We've extended highlights from another critical

game at the AMEX as two of the other play-off candidates, Brighton and

Reading, went head to head. A year on from the departure of Paolo di

Canio, Swindon Town have regrouped and are within sniffing distance of

play-offs. I'm at the County Ground for the visit of promotion rivals,

MK Dons. And, as ever, we've plenty of goals and talking points,

including six goals at a soggy Elland Road. First to Oakwell then,

for a game involving two sides desperate for a win for very

different reasons. Bottom club Barnsley, who were thumped 5-0 last

week, began the day just two points from safety, while Nottingham

Forest's automatic promotion hopes had hit the buffers with key

injuries. Their problems compounded with manager Billy Davies starting a

five-game touchline ban for abusing a match official. Commentary from

John Roder. five-game touchline ban for abusing

a match Heavy defeats for both of these sides last weekend haven't

helped either move closer to their objective. Barnsley slipped to

bottom place in the Championship. Forest remain in the play-off

places. Jim O'Brien recovered from illness and starts for Barnsley.

Danny Wilson makes three changes to the side that started last weekend's

5-0 defeat to Huddersfield. O'Grady and Mellis were both in Nottingham.

Two changes for Forest, who have only once been able to name an

unchanged team this season. Greening drops to the bench. In comes Gomis

for his Forest debut. Abdounn comes into filled field. -- Abdoun comes

into midfield. Play continues. Majewski thought he

might have been fouled there, not so. Jennings. Room possibly for a

shot here. Pushed over by Darlow. That ball really did move through

the air here. Darlow able to get a solid fist to it. Excellent chance

for Danny Wilson's side. Chase on here for Cox. On awkward bounce for

Cranie. He dealt with it well. Oh, a mistake there.

Ramage, unable to control the throwout from Luke Steele.

Touch back from Mackie. A shot against the post! What an effort

that was from Abdoun. That flu as straight as you like from Abdoun. It

steams back to this mistake here. Ramage unable to gather.

Mackie! Terrific chance for Nottingham Forest. Abdoun, who

struck the post a couple of minutes earlier, went for the cross. Jamie

Mackie meets it with a firm header, but puts the ball the wrong side of

the post. Barnsley will feel they could get

all three points from Nottingham Forest this afternoon. Mellis.

O'Brien. Taken by Darlow. See there the run on the overlap

from the number seven, Jim O'Brien, far too close though to Karl Darlow.

Jennings, who has had a good game so far on the left hand side for the

Tiebgs. He hits it. Oh, what a hit! That's absolutely brilliant! Dale

Jennings with the opening goal. That brings a smile to everyone connected

to Barnsley football club. They may be bottom-of-the-table, but that was

a goal that was straight out of the top-class. Look at where he picks it

up. Dale Jennings, cuts inside. Creates a little bit of space for

himself and fires it past Karl Darlow. It's a brilliant goal.

Jennings, the goalscorer. Mellis. In towards O'Grady. Hes's able to --

he's able to get the shot away. Deep towards Ramage. Pushed away by

Darlow. Barnsley will build again. Jennings. That looks too long, and

was. Discussions going on between the

manager and his assist down in the dug-out. You just wonder whether

there might be a change or two forthcoming for Nottingham Forest.

Comes in from a long way out. It wasn't a bad effort either from

Paterson. You can see what he's trying to do. It's on target, at

first, it veers away from goal. They know how big a victory this could

be. There will be a minimum of five minutes additional time. Can

Nottingham Forest, the away team here, find a way back?

Barnsley, with everybody back. Forest, with virtually everybody

forward. Mitt Abdoun, pushed away to safety by Steele. The perhaps that

was the reason there was a big gap in the wall there. Steele able to

see that free-kick all the way. They need one good delivery. One good

touch in the penalty area. Abdoun with the corner. Steele

should get there. Darlow now stays forward. Abdoun, with the ball into

the area. Barnsley able to half clear. Paterson can't get his shot

away. Derbyshire! Steele, with the save. That might just about be that,

as far as Barnsley are concerned. How much is there a sense of

frustration in the Forest dressing room that you haven't come away with

a point today? Yes, there's a huge frustration. Just after the

half-time break, where they got on top a little bit and scored the

goal. I thought we were terrific everywhere else. I can't ask

anything more of the players. As a collective group they gave us

everything they could. We couldn't break them down. When you play in

front of your home crowd they expect. No matter who you are

playing they expect you to win. The least we could do is put a good

shift in. I think we did that. We we stuck to our guns and defended

stoutly at the end. Thankfully, it's three very well and very hard-earned

points, from our point of view, we needed them badly because of the

position we are in. Towards the end it was constant Forest pressure?

Yeah. That's just how it is at the moment. Things are going just a

little bit against us, run of the ball, and hit the post. Fantastic

save from the keeper, from the free-kick late on, scrambles not

falling for us. We will dust ourselves down and get on with it

again on Monday. Wasn't a great deal between the two sides at the game.

It was a resolute one, as far as Barnsley were concerned. The ideal

response from last week for Danny Wilson? Last week they didn't start

too bad they fell apart somewhat. Today they started OK and held it

together. Apart from maybe the last 10 minutes when they were stretched

at times defensively, I thought they were reasonably comfortable today. I

thought they hangle everything that Forest could throw at them.

Particularly in the last 10 minutes. One or two hairy moments during the

game. But ultimately stood their ground through all of it. The

important goal, early on, but with Dale Jennings you don't show him on

the inside? No, of course you don't. Three Forest players. They get

caught up, should I go are fo the ball or the runner. Jennings looks

up and can't believe the space he has got. Sits up nicely for him.

Wonderful strike. I'm not sure the keeper might have been slightly on

side. It sits up nicely for him as he takes the strike. You don't want

to see him. A huge boost for their survival hopes? Massive. Up until

last week I have been impressed with what Danny Wilson has been trying to

do. A little bit more resolution about them. That was evident today.

Maybe last week was a blip. Forest, it stretches their winless run to

five games. It's gone wrong at both ends of the pitch. They scored two

in three. Yep. Conceded 10 in the last four games. Yeah. With Billy

Davies in the stands, how much of an effect does that have? I don't think

it's a massive effect. For me, most times when you have done your

pre-match work through the week. I would think a lot of the managers

would sit-in the stand and get an overview of the ground as it

proceedings. You need to be on the touchline if you set up a system and

they have set up something completely different. You needed to

reorganise. Your team doesn't understand how to play against that

system. Under jeopardy is their play-off position? Currently, it has

to be in jeopardy because of the form they have shown. They are

still, even throughout that, they still maintained the play-off

position. You get the feeling, in the coming weeks they will get

stronger again. They should be OK. Today's game at the AMEX featured

two clubs with the play-offs in their sights, Brighton and Reading.

Brighton make two changes with Rohan Ince and Jake Forster-Caskey coming

into midfield. After struggling to a draw with eight-man Yeovil, Nigel

Adkins makes four changes which includes Royston Drenthe's first

start since Boxing Day and defender Michael Hector's first league start

for the club. Paul Walker describes this one.

Bruno with the throw. Lopez. Neatly done by Andrews. Away by Gunter.

Lingard continued the run. This could be an own goal, and it will

be. Chris Gunter. Alex McCarthy was committed, and Brighton the lead.

And it is in bizarre circumstances -- Brighton take the lead. Chris

Guenther -- Gunter. The ball bounces into the net. Not the start that

treading wanted. The target was Lingard, and Gunter plants it beyond

his own goalkeeper. Obita. Obita once more. A bit more tempo to

this Reading play. Obita has done well. Akpan. Not a bad try.

Somebody needed to have a go. Obita skips beyond Lopez, and Akpan's shot

dips too late. Away to Drenthe. Le Fondre. He was

threatening to break free of the Brighton defence, Adam Le Fondre.

The referee, Fred Graham, is going to show a yellow to Gordon Greer. He

has had a solid game so far. There was a tug on Adam Le Fondre.

Just freeze over the free kick. -- Guthrie is over the free kick. Akpan

will attempt to keep the pressure on. Drenthe. He thought about

shooting. But he thought too long. Now Brighton can break. Lingard, and

this is one-on-one. Lingard against Gunter. He has helped coming back

now. Ulloa. Lifted in. Flicked away by Hector. High hand over the top

from Forster-Caskey. -- high and over the top.

Lingard was involved, so was Ulloa. Forster-Caskey was wayward with the

shop. -- shot. Intercepted by Guthrie. If only he could have

pushed it on for Robson-Kanu. Still Reading can build through Le

Fondre. He runs into Gordon Greer. He is on a yellow card, remember.

Greer got his body in the way and Le Fondre has felt the full force. He

has already been shown the yellow ones, the captain, and another

yellow means read. He is off. Gordon Greer, sent off for Brighton --

means red. Was that a yellow card offence? I do think anybody saw a

red card coming. Greer step six cross -- steps across Adam Le

Fondre. There were two men sent off in this fixture earlier in the

season and one has gone today. Guthrie has Obita to his left. Still

Obita. Gunter. Drenthe. Look how many Brighton have back. Drenthe. He

equalises! His first goal for Reading, drawing them level. It

appeared just a matter of time following the dismissal of Gordon

Greer, and Royston Drenthe puts the Royals all square at the Amex.

Wicked strike, thundering past the Brighton keeper and we are all

square. One for him to savour. Robson-Kanu is ahead of him, so is

Blackman. Straight at the goalkeeper. That was a really good

chance. Either side, that was 2-1. The way it opened up for Nick

Blackman, you should have done better. Brighton will be relieved to

hear the full-time whistle in a difficult half. This is Ulloa. He

has done well to pick out Buckley. Will Buckley!

He did ever so well to create the chance. It is the header that buys

him the space, but he could not hit the target. Given away to Guthrie

who can bring Reading forward. Mac enough -- Jobi McAnuff. What a

stop. That is a big, big save from the Brighton goalkeeper. A huge save

and it stays at 1-1. This is Buckley. A chance to win it.

Good save by McCarthy. March will pick it up. Guthrie with the block.

McCarthy has been a spectator for the entire second half, but

Reading's comes up with a big save as Will Buckley looked to win it for

Brighton. Solly March When a corner. Almost caught Alex McCarthy

off-guard. And the referee will stop play because March has touched the

ball twice. That is why the free kick has gone against him. The

corner almost catching Alex McCarthy out.

We showed great character and I am very proud of all of my players and

their performance. Even though we had ten men, we created some good

chances, and we could have won. I thought we were good in our play and

had opportunities to win it but we come away with a point. It is a

positive but we would have liked all three. Nigel Adkins a little

frustrated perhaps compounded by the fact that they had numerical

advantage in the last two games and failed to make it count on the last

two occasions. I think this week it worked in their favour. It opened up

a little bit and we know that when Brighton get their nose in front

they are hard to break down. Probably they needed something like

that to happen in this game. And when it did, it changed the

complexion. It was almost like a free for all the both sides. Plenty

of chances after that. Brighton took the lead through a simple

miscommunication between defender and goalkeeper. You could not put it

in simpler terms. McCarthy does not give him a shout. It was a good move

before that. It was, but when you pass the ball back to the keeper and

you're not sure of the position and you don't get the communication, you

head it back, but not towards goal. If anything it does not result in a

goal. There was the second yellow card to Gordon Greer which was

contentious. I thought he was unlucky. The obstruction comes about

because he tries to make a challenge.

He doesn't step across because he's going for the ball as such, he's

probably leading with his wrong foot. But I think he's unlucky.

Wedding had their chances at the end of the game but they got themselves

level with Royston Drenthe's first call to the club -- Reading had

their chances. He was able to cutting, and this time he goes

across Forster-Caskey's legs and nothing the keeper can do. Have

either of them convinced to for the play-offs? They look a bit

inconsistent at this stage but it would surprise me -- not surprise me

if they got in there. Elsewhere in the Championship,

Derby's seven match unbeaten run came to a somewhat controversial end

last week at Burnley. Today the Rams, who were lying five points

outside the automatic promotion places, were looking to get back on

track at home to relegation threatened Millwall.

Paulao Wanchope was the guest of honour today, 17 years after that

amazing goal against Manchester United. Patrick Bamford headed wide

early on. He and Connor Sammon shared a frame with a guess but

neither had the assurance ahead of goal.

The Rams won 5-1 in November but could not find a way through here.

Simon Dawkins twice forced saves out of David Forde in the second half.

Steve McClaren's men were expected to breeze past a site that had not

run away since September, but David Forde in particular had other

ideas. Millwall soaked up all of the Derby County pressure before edging

ahead just after the hour. Steve Morrison pinched all three points

after Graham left the back door open. But this was no smash and grab

job, Millwall might have had more goals. Jake Buxton gave Morrison the

chance for a second. Lee Grant kept Derby in it. With Wanchope having

left his boots in Costa Rica, Richard Keogh was forced to be a

centre forward. It was one of those days. We have

thrown the kitchen sink at Millwall, and we have taken the risk

often to win a game, and we have won many games where we have done it,

and one day we are going to get stuck and lose a game doing it. And

today was the day. I we came to a very tough place, a good club and a

good team and we come away with all three points and I think we deserved

it. One owner is in jail and the other

received -- revealed losses of more than ?65 million but the respective

managers still had something to smile about. Even more so for the

QPR boss after 14 minutes when loan signing ravel Morrison offered are

reminding of a sublime talent flickering to fruition with his

first goal for his latest club -- Ravel. Joey Barton sadly felt his

spirits lifted. Birmingham responded almost majorly Rangers recent form

is not reflected in the chances count. Kevin Doyle's cross not on a

plate for Jermaine Jenas. Barton ripped -- floated a free kick in,

and Clint Hill's header came off the bar but the ball did not fall kindly

for Traore their Morrison to capitalise. The goalkeeper reacted

smartly to another effort by Huws, on loan from Man City and fresh from

his international debut for Wales. Kevin Doyle hinted at what might

have incoming Darren Randolph's away only QPR could nip together a move

to create a further lead. Jermaine Jenas did the hard yards while

Morrison watched, waited and then timed his arrival expertly to claim

his second of the game to wrap up the points and hold Rangers's

worrying slide out of the promotion frame. -- halt Rangers.

We needed that today. We've had a blip in the last few weeks. We

started to make things difficult for ourselves but today, it was good to

get the three points. We are disappointed but we have to go again

and dust ourselves down. The lads know we have a huge game next, and

that's all that matters, the next one.

A new arrival at the River says -- Riverside Stadium as Craig Hignett

has joined the coaching staff. Their opponents are in the play-off hunt

but created little of note. Paul Taylor was not far away with one of

their better opportunities. Middlesbrough had not scored since

mid-January. Danny Graham put an end to the drought with Dean -- the

goalkeeper unable to hold onto the effort. The long wait was over, and

for the Teessiders, the first time they had found the net in over 12

hours. A second followed, and again it was Graham, this time on the end

of a grand Ledbitter -- Grant. He was afforded too much space and

could only find the side netting. Christophe Berra saw his header

deflected over as Ipswich try to find a way back without success. For

Middlesbrough, Craig Hignett's presents have the right effect.

He is just working with me this week, but you can feel that he knows

football and he knows this league and the atmosphere. He was a very

important player here. We started OK and I thought we gave them a go. We

were second best. Got nothing, deserve nothing. I can't add to it.

They can make calling it like it is. Middlesbrough ending the 12 hour

goal drought and relief for Danny Graham, but you get the feeling that

the seven game goal drought has put an end to their play-off chances.

When they started on that, they were on a good run. All of a sudden you

go through that sort of run and it's going to be very difficult to keep

the pace. As it is, they are nine points off, but if you take their

two games in hand that you have the Wigan, and 11 points is too much to

make up. Millwall, their second away win of

the season. How big is this result? A massive result, no doubt about

that. Not just in the sense of it being a tough run for them. But to

get that win away from home as well, which has been an awful long time

coming against a side that have played very well in recent weeks. I

think that's just more, not just the aspect of the points, but actually

to back up the reasoning that they can stay in this division. It may

have come at some cost. David Forde, DY Campbell have suffered injuries.

For QPR their first win in six. Back to inwithing ways for Harry's Hoops.

They are raving about Morrison after his first brace at club football

level. He needs to do it more regularly really? Yeah. You think

about the goal he scored for West Ham at Spurs. We thought he would go

on from that, he didn't. Yeah. Same season he is loaned out and farmed

out. Look, we... As you say, how you define a great player is, a, they do

it week in and week out and, b, year in and year out. I like to judge

them on longevity. People come and people go. We see a stronger

character that shows we have a good player on our hands. Our final look

at the Championship starts at Elland Road where Bolton went in search of

a third consecutive victory, this time against Leeds. Coming up to a

year in the Leeds Jock, Brian McDermott admits progress hasn't

been as rapid as he liked. It was another bad day for the Whites, who

are enjoying a turbulent time on and off the pitch. This effort raised

hopes of a better showing. Leeds fell behind. The back four going

AWOL as Mason got his third Bolton goal in as many games. Another minor

disaster in the interval. A faulty sprinkler greated this localised

flooding and had officials fearing an abandonment. They should be so

lucky. The floodgates opened as Bolton hit three in a 12-minute

spell. Lukas Jutkiewicz and Knight striking in quick succession as

Bolton made sure of a third consecutive win. Previously the

Trotters hadn't won in eight games. They seem to have developed a hot

streak over night. Austin and Smith were denied. At the other end,

Bolton are flying. Davies extended their lead with 20 minutes

remaining. His first goal of the season, Bolton's 10th in their last

three matches. A remarkable reversal of fortune. Moritz was on target as

the the Trotters ran up their biggest win at Elland Road since

1926. Smith pulled one back in injury-time. It was no consolation

for the home side, with their takeover stalled and the play-offs

unlikely. Leeds are still waiting for their luck to change.

Second-half, I certainly didn't see that coming. I thought we would

chase the game down. We got done. We were 3-0 down before you know it.

Then the shape of the team went. We got beat. We got well beat. I was

very happy, we passed the ball well. Created numerous opportunities. I

felt in both boxes we were far better team and the result was fully

merited. Huddersfield's Mackie wells has been due a goal for weeks. Billy

Sharp said he owed Doncaster plenty after his three-match ban last

month. He finished off this corner for his first goal of the Keepmoat

since rejoining on-loan. Huddersfield scored five without

reply. They had their chances here. Wells dispossessed before Hammill's

shot was saved by Johnstone. The Terriers lived up to their name.

Gerrard thought he had scored, only for Keegan's timely clearance off

the line before half-time. Wells went down, Paul Dickson tested

Johnstone. Wells tried again, the equaliser wouldn't come. Instead,

Rovers applied the sucker-punch. 2-0 to Rovers, whose first win in five

was vital as all their relegation rivals won as well. He's instinctive

striker. Always in the right place at the right time. Not just his

goals, overall performance today was fantastic. Bullied us. They forced

us into errors we don't normally make. We can talk about all sorts of

things that weren't right, but we just weren't right. We weren't at it

today. That is a disappointment. Yeovil had three men sent off at

Reading. . A smart save kept out Wednesday's Maghoma.

An explosive finish from the man on-loan from Forest. Yeovil ahead

four minutes before half-time. The same player made sure this game was

a Millers tale. Another goal of exceptional quality. He is now on

seven, they are on a season's best, five unbeaten. Noroville game with a

red card. Hutchinson's second yellow card for this collision with Adam

Morgan. He was off. The Great Escape remains. Two fantastic goals. Power

driver with his right foot. A little bender into the top corner on his

left foot. You know, two goals worthy of him getting man of the

match. They out thought us, out run us, we have not won enough one v one

battles. Disappointed with the result and the performance as well.

No end in sight to Blackpool's winless run. Dobbie did his best to

change their fortune. Their last win victory was on November 30th. Gilks

was forced into this save. Gilks it was who gave away the penalty with a

rash challenge on Grabban to concede the spot-kick. The Cherries striker

took his goals tally to 14 to the season. The Seasiders are hurtling

down the Championship table at an alarming rate. Bournemouth survive

Blackpool's best attempts to salvage something from this match. It's no

win in 17 league games now for Barry Ferguson's side. Any complaints

about the penalty? No. I don't know if it was in the box or just

outside. No. I've not watched it again. I need to look at it again on

video. So I can't comment. Defended very well first and foremost. It

gave us a platform to build and get into the game. A game of few chances

for both teams. We took ours when it came. Bournemouth's first away win

for 2 1 4. Bolton were in danger not that long ago, they have pulled away

from danger in some style. They have shown why he this were pre-season

favourites. They have good players. Pedigree to their squad. The scores

say it all. Absolutely. We are wondering how they got themselves in

such a pickle. We are seeing the real Bolton now step forward. It's a

wondererful finish. All of them are more than capable of that level.

More Brian McDermott question marks over his future after that

performance. Are you surprised. After all that happened a few weeks

ago it has come back again? Not really. There is no hunger to go

through what they went before. It will be left until the end of the

season if a decision has been made. It has been a pretty disappointing

season for them. They have had lows along the way, this is one of them.

Sharp end. Big wins on Saturday for four of the bottom five, Yeovil,

Doncaster, Barnsley, Millwall, Blackpool lost. Talk about a season

of two halves. Lost two of the first 17. Their last 17 they have lost 13

of them. At what point, if you are the Chairman, will you decide to

make a change? Barry Ferguson put his heart and soul into the job,

it's clearly not happening? They could also probably do with him on

the pitch as well. They are six points off. Will is a gamble about

making a change at this point of the season? There is. There has to be

some sort of change in position and change in-form. That slide down the

table can't keep going. If the teams who have games in hand play their

games in hand, there might be three points between them and the bottom

three. When you get into that close, they have to give it serious

consideration I would imagine. Now to League One. This time last year

Swindon Town were a club in crisis. Managerless after the departure of

Paolo di Canio, and under new ownership, the outlook was far from

certain. But 12 months on, Mark Cooper has galvanised the club who

lie just outside the play-off places. Clem takes up the story as

promotion rivals MK Dons came to town. The calm after the storm. When

we were here, just over two years ago, Paolo di Canio's team recorded

a ninth consecutive win and the man himself was in his element. When we

returned 12 months later the club's management was over, brought to a

head by the sale of Matt Ritchie to rivals Bournemouth to stave off

relegation. Paolo di Canio went on to roughle more feathers in the

Premier League since his departure here at the County Ground things

have only just started to settle down. Twice the club has changed

hands in the past year. It's now controlled by former Norwich City

striker, turned Geneva-based football agent, Lee Bowyer, two men

have occupied this dug-out, despite leaving the club to the play-offs

last season, McDonald departed last summer, leaving in charge the man

wondering if they had a future in the game. You want to get stuck in.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a fantastic club. Good supporters.

Like you say, brilliant opportunity for myself. How do you manage the

Paolo di Canio legacy? By that, I mean everything that happened at the

club, raised expectations? Paolo di Canio did fantastically well with

the club, got promotion. Up near the top of the League. Had Cup runs.

With that came a big spend in terms of finance and salaries. That had to

change because the club couldn't sustain it. There is a bit of

poacher turned gamekeeper, whatever the phrase is here. Football agent,

you have been squeezing clubs for years to get their wages up, now you

are trying to drive them down? I know. I worry for Mark. He comes in

sometimes, I go, all right Mark. He will say something something to me

and he goes, "the answer is no, isn't it" I say no. He knows what I

will say to him. Fair play. It works well with us. He can talk to me

about football. He understands the finances. I haven't made a fortune,

like you do with these business people, if I have ?1 I will spend

?1. How difficult has it been to asimulate Ranger and manage that

situation? I'm not going to lie, it's not been easy. Nile will be the

first to admit that. -- Niall. A chance of going to prison for a long

time. Who knows how you would behave when that is over your head. That is

finished now. He will be out for the rest of the seasonment we have to

think of next year. If all is right, there is not many better number

nines in the league. You are not a one-player team. Quite clearly you

are within a sniff of the play-offs again. You are one of the best teams

hovering outside? We haven't to worry about anybody else much we

have to make sure we do our bit, which is winning as many games as we

can. We are optimistic we can get there.

True to form, the Robins scored first here. Pritchard's shot to hot

to handle, Martin Smith scored his first in over a month. For the third

game in a row the lead was loss. How is this for an emphatic header. Kay

keen to put the Dons back in the frame. The winning goal came late,

the 93rd minute, was it worth the lay. George Baldock, it proved

decisive. They did their own hopes a world of good.

Was that result in any way reflect where you are as a team and a club?

I think so. We are where we deserve to be at the moment, just not got

enough to get into that top six at the minute, but the boys that are

the nucleus that are going to be here next year will learn an awful

lot from this season and if we add properly to it in the summer we will

go close next year. It was a stunning goal from Baldock, which

meant MK Dons won. His brother, Sam, would have been proud at Bristol

City. For Swindon Town, what about the job Mark Cooper has done? They

have been top ten ever since the beginning of September. Yes, he

summed it up perfectly. He said, we are where we are and it is where we

deserve to be. They haven't got the quality and strength and depth that

some of the sides above them have. They are a little way off. They are

eight points off six, but 15 away from fifth, so that is quite a gap.

What he will use this season is to say we know what is good enough, we

know where we need to go and we need -- and now we know where we need to

improve to take us where we want to be. More from League One. There was

no stopping Wolves, with Kenny Jackett's side beginning the day

back on top of the registering their seventh win on the Baus last

Saturday. The league leaders were at Walsall for a Black Country derby.

Walsall's play-off challenge has been fading quickly so perhaps they

needed a kick up the backside but Wolves were feeling ruthless.

Michael Jacobs but Richard O'Donnell at full stretch. The Saddlers held

the lead for half an hour but when James Henry was sent scampering down

the wing, Dicko set off for the near post. His sixth goal in seven games

put his side on course for a half-time lead. Scoring goals hasn't

been so easy for Walsall. Putting five past Notts County at the end of

January, they have managed four in six. This was inches away. But three

minutes into the second, Dean Smith's men were staring at a fourth

straight defeat. Henry's looping cross coming back off the woodwork

leaving Dicko with a chance he could not miss. His second double in a

week but Wolves on foreign straight win, a club record. Sako's free kick

secured them a third consecutive 3-0 success. A difficult place for us to

come with the feeling between Walsall and Wolves. You could see it

in the players. They had a high motivation level today, as did their

crowd, so we did well to overcome that. 3-0 was a harsh scoreline. The

lads did not deserve it. They put great effort into the game and

played well and we wanted to give our supporters something to shout

about but unfortunately we could not do the double.

Notts County have conceded six goals in their last outing. The manager

demanded a reaction and got it. Gary Liddle threatened the goal but the

division's bottom club responded. Leyton Orient have scored more goals

than their League One rivals but they could not find a breakthrough.

Odubajo struck the crossbar, the closest they came, but the whistle

had gone. First goalless draw of the season for the O's but county could

won it. Jim and Campbell Rice did his best to cause an upset. A much

improved display and for their manager, something to build on.

After being rolled over 3-0 by promotion rivals Wolves in their

last home match, Brentford needed to bounce back, especially as they lost

their place in the top two into the bargain and top scorer Donaldson

make the breakthrough, just past the hour against Bradford, his 50th goal

for the club. Shortly after he nearly provided some breathing space

for the Griffin Park faithful, following excellent work out wide

from Trotta. This time, not quite so deadly from Donaldson. Brentford had

not scored in their two previous matches but after Jonathan Douglas

looped a header onto the Bantams' bar, they sealed the match 14

minutes from time. On loan Chelsea youngster George Saville, with his

fourth goal for the Bees, as they move back within a point of the

automatic promotion places. A really good second half. I thought the

first half we played some night stuff but too deep, 15 or 20 yards

too deep and the second half we played with energy, and a very

positive performance. Inform Preston were looking to stretch their

unbeaten run into double figures as their promotion push rumbles on.

Humphrey making room for a shock to get on the scoresheet for the first

time since the opening month of the campaign. With one win in five prior

to this, Oldham are looking nervously over their shoulder. Smith

took aim but Declan Rudd responded with a save from the top drawer.

Preston were nicely on track for a fifth game on the road without

defeat. This time Humphrey showing at David Meyler a clean pair of

heels and setting up Garner. The striker's fifth goal in seven games

made it 2-0 with 19 minutes left. It was not all plain sailing. Soon

after, Lee Johnson's men were in contention with a the goal of the

game. Harkins coming up with the Pirlo. -- coming up with a good one.

Once again, Humphrey in the thick of the action. This time sending over a

looping cross which Garner headed goalwards. The hand of Johnson

Clarke-Harris got in the way and referee Steve Martin went for the

red card. That gave Garner the chance to bag his 20th of the

campaign. But a fine stop from the keeper kept him waiting for all of

ten minutes, after being played in four Scott Wiseman, Garner put the

seal on a well earned victory which gives them within touching distance

of the top two. After successive defeats,

Peterborough needed a lift. Crewe are battling to stay in this

division but with Aneke there is also hope, as he edged them in front

in spectacular style. No team in League One has conceded more goals

than Crewe and when Davis fouled Conor Washington, Assombalonga was

presented with a chance to add to his tally and he did just that, from

12 yards. He is the League One's joint top scorer. Darren Ferguson's

side occupied the final play-off place but they have been far too

inconsistent of late. This performance was more like it as they

stepped up the pressure search of a second. Assombalonga unfortunate not

to claim it. Peterborough's second came from Ajose, and the counter

attack and the Posh were back in front, just minutes before the

interval. In a high-scoring affair, Assombalonga thought he had done

enough to add to their scoreline. It wasn't to be. Only a goal line

clearance kept him out and both follow-up efforts were dealt with in

the visitor's goal. Aneke hauled Crewe level for the second time in

the match. Another impressive finish and he continues to lead the line in

a struggling side. Swanson helped the Posh calls on the hour mark, set

up by Washington and dispatched with confidence. Peterborough has much to

look forward to and for Ferguson the season could yet end on a positive

note. They confirmed the victory when Washington got in on the act to

complete the scoring and leave Crewe in deep trouble. His first goal for

the club and the result helps strengthen their hold on six spot.

We have had a bit of a blip and it has been the final ball, the final

shot. Today, we were more clinical but we could have got more goals.

The front two did well. The front four scored and you have to be

pleased. Darren Ferguson praising his friend four, a good day for

Peterborough against Crewe and there is nothing wrong with the Wolves

front line, three consecutive 3-0 defeats, the latest against Walsall.

You were just as impressed with their defence? I think what are we

looking at? The team that have conceded one, in eight. 20 all

season. The best in the top four. A fantastic record. We know that they

have got goals in them but when you have that sort of record defensively

you can go anywhere and feel confident that you will be in the

game and stay in the game for long periods, so everything looks really

good at this stage. That was the biggest crowd they have seen for ten

years. A perfect game really for Wolves in the room they are in and a

nice local derby, plenty of fans there. It keeps things the way they

are going, they have the manager who has been in this situation before so

he knows what it takes to get this going and seeing it through. They

have timed their rise to perfection but it's any of those teams in the

automatic promotion play off places slip-up, Preston are there to

capitalise. A good win for them. We like Humphrey here, don't we? How

many times have we seen a player get behind the opposition defence and

not pick anyone out? He does that. This one, I mean, the first touch, a

bit of a bubble, he has very little to aim for and he gets that bit of

luck, inside the post, which we all need. In the end that was a good win

because although it has been a tough scene for -- season for Oldham, it

is a good result for Preston because local derbies can throw up funny. We

have seen that celebration a few times this season. March is the time

to start winning, three wins in a row. They have been a good run of

form for a while now so for them there is still an awful lot to do

because the three teams ahead of them have been there for a while and

are setting the pace. As for the rest of League One now, another side

with an outside chance of a play-off place, Port Vale. Were at home to

Carlisle - with the Cumbrians just two points clear of the drop zone.

Carlisle produced an excellent performance in the last match and

Martin Walters' senior goal put them in front at Vale Park. 11 minutes

into the second-half Port Vale levelled up, with a really composed

finish from Ben Williamson, cutting inside on his right before tucking

away his first league goal since October. Now you sense Carlisle were

in real trouble and after a far post header hit the upright, Port Vale's

top scorer Tom Pope buried the winner, a 10th league goal and 14th

in all competitions for the man who had notched the stoppage time

decider at Carlisle back in September. And he nearly doubled the

margin of victory late on. Bickford in fine form in the Carlisle goal,

but Port Vale's three match losing streak was over -- Pickford.

Nervy times of late for Gillingham. Three straight defeats have left

them dangerously close to the drop zone. McDonald would have calmed

those nerves in the second half had it not been for Paul Jones' agility.

In truth, Gillingham were second-best against Crawley side

unbeaten in seven. They were riding their luck. Walsh thumped the

woodwork before the home side scrambled the ball to safety. The

last time these two met Charlie Lee was sent off. This time he climbed

off the bench to hit crawling with a sucker punch. His second goal in a

week sees these clubs swap places with Gillingham now six points clear

of danger. Absolutely delighted with three points. Very important three

points for us. The performance, nowhere near what we want. A nervous

performers. But for effort and everything else the way the players

kept going, I could not ask for any more.

Colchester's recent form has been less than convincing but having

taken a point against Rotherham in the weeks to stop the rot, they went

one better. Freddie Sears exploited Coventry City's defensive weaknesses

and a goal against the club he once played for on loan. They added a

second, Massey withered perfectly timed run and finished the match.

Wilson provided a late first-half contribution to bring Coventry back

into this contest but they couldn't add to it and the Colchester this

was a first win in seven. Stevenage were nine points from

safety when they lost at home to Peterborough a fortnight ago but

just past the 20 minute marker, Jimmy Smith set them up for a third

win in four games when he finished neatly across Tranmere keeper

Williams. Boro bossed the game from the word go and they went close to

doubling the lead. Bailey with a terrifically but his header struck

the top of the bar. Steele Stevenage goals in just over two minutes put a

fairer reflection on the scoreline. Charles tapped in after the ball was

cut square and it was Mousinho who pretty well wrapped up the points

with the finish of the match, for a central defender it was absolute

class. Rovers did get on the scoresheet but that was a careless

own goal from Obeng and on current form they look more likely to go

down and Stevenage, who are now only one point inside the relegation

zone. Today was a job well done. The players were strong and took the

game forward. They played the rightful ball, intelligent football,

and I thought it was a deserved win. Shrewsbury must have forgotten what

it was like to win at home. Jay Emmanuel Thomas refused to take pity

by rifling Bristol City into the lead. His 19th of the campaign

seemed to inspire the centre back who unleashed a fabulous strike to

bring up his first for the club. No doubt he was beaming at the break,

but early in the second half he was left hanging his head. Joe Jacobson

letting Sam Baldock only for the cross to go past his own keeper.

Thankfully Michael Jackson's team showed enough character not a go

under and within five minutes they were level for a second time. Phil

Parry meeting the cross from McAllister to tie the game at 2-2.

But not since November have they managed to win in front of their own

fans and another kick in the teeth arrived in the shape of Joe O'Brien

whose header did cross the line and it moves Bristol City three points

clear of safety, but Shrewsbury drop to second from bottom.

It was fantastic to get the three goals. We always might concede

because we look to score. I'm sure it was entertaining to the neutral.

A huge win at Bristol City. It has not been plain sailing for him

there. No, but you can say they've got a good squad. Some excellent

players. It's difficult to understand and believe they are

where they are, but you can see things gradually starting to turn,

and with the quality they have got, you would expect better things to

come. For Shrewsbury, the home form has been the undoing. No victory in

nine and they have only scored four goals. They've gone from an

experienced manager to a relatively inexperienced one. A strange time

for him to go. It is difficult to take over a club when it is like

that and then try and arrest the slide if you haven't got major

finances or you cannot bring players in immediately. It is a big ask. At

this stage they will need something to change dramatically to get out of

the run. This time last week we were talking about Stevenage and how

Graham Westley's teams come good. They are doing just that. A good win

against Tranmere. Tranmere continue their slide and with the uncertainty

regarding Ronnie Moore, John McMahon is at the helm, but a decision has

to be made sooner rather than later. Move on without Ronnie, that is the

thing. That does not help the players and it does not help the

direction of the football club and it does not help the understanding

of what is the way to proceed in the situation we are in. That was quite

a damaging defeat. They are close to the bottom for clubs now. Let's see

how League Two panned out earlier, starting with Friday night's game at

Gigg Lane. A chance for David Flitcroft to catch up with former

boss Keith Hill as Bury met promotion chasing Rochdale.

David Flitcroft and Keith Hill spent most of their careers working

together that faced each other than the first time as managers. Just

before the break, bloke from Rochdale as the referee took a

dislike to the challenge from Iain Henderson. Already booked, Henderson

was on his way. Michael Rose was a whisker away from giving the ten men

the all-important breakthrough. Keith Hill's I knew a win would put

them on top, and the next time they kept knocking, Brian Jensen rolled

back the years. They went close to winning themselves but not the first

time Josh Lewis up big, as the game came up goalless. Third part against

the leaders, surely no contest. Correct. Molyneux's opener set the

tone for the match. Chesterfield's sense of disbelief and unease grew

moments later as the striker somehow Scottish art when it looked easier

to school. Molyneux increased the discomfort with the next chance.

Ritchie Humphreys conceded a penalty despite protests to the referee.

Danny Webber did not score, but Molyneux did not miss. 2-0 after

nine minutes. The performance from the home side became more heroic

when they were reduced to ten men after half an hour. Peter Murphy's

rash challenge early -- earning him a second yellow card. Far from

falling, the home side scored again. Guess who was in the right place to

complete his hat-trick for a three - 0/2-time lead. Try as they might,

Chesterfield could not score until Ian Evatt did so five minutes from

time. To late to spoil the Accrington power play as they move

six points clear of the bottom two. Teams have a habit of disrespecting

Accrington. Whether we disrespected them, I don't know, but we have made

poor decisions that have cost us goals early in the game.

A run of 18 unbeaten league games, and can then made the most of the

Northampton marking. -- can a van. Ricky Ravenhill then picked up a

second yellow card for a trip on Paddy Madden. But the Cobblers have

found resolve, and Zander Diamond flicked in an 18 carat equaliser,

his first for the club. With the top three are dropping

points, Oxford against Burton became a bigger game. The Brewers were up

for it. Dominick Mills gave them the lead with only ten played. Burton

chose the ideal time to call what Gary Rambert called their best start

this season. -- Gary Rowett. Zeli Ismail made the most of this

rebound. David Hunt brought the man down in the box as Burton looked as

though they would wrap it up in half an hour. But the save from Billy Kee

provided perhaps the inspiration for the Oxford second-half revival. They

were soon back in it thanks to a composed piece affiliate --

finishing from Brian Williams the deficit was halved with 48 minutes

to play -- Ryan Williams. James Constable came closest to preventing

Oxford's fourth game without a win but the luck held for Burton. They

now sit only three points behind Chesterfield.

To come to Oxford and be dominant in the first 30 minutes and win the

game in that period was fantastic. We need to stand up and be counted.

We are going into a run of form with 11 games to go, and no one is

picking up a load of results, so we need to go on a run and we will be

back in it. Seven points from safety ahead of

the game, Torquay need all the breaks they can get if they want to

avoid returning to the Conference. A spirited performance, but ultimately

it turned out to be three points for promotion chasing Fleetwood. Matt's

first person is coming back from injury -- first goal since coming

back from injury and it looks grim for Torquay. I am with them and I

will be with them until the death. We have had to work hard on the

pitch to turn it around. We are slowly doing that, but if we, the

pitch without one effort, we will have to make sure we improve from

today. Morecambe must have feared the worst when they came behind Matt

-- went behind after nine minutes as Kevan Hurst swung over the cross

ball Ryan Leonard to mark his new contract with his seventh of the

season. But the home side, without a win since Boxing Day, found a way

back after half an hour when Ellison's quick thinking was matched

by his fast feet in snatching an equaliser. Southend's promotion

chances have taken a battering recently. No victories in nine

games, and Ellison was in the mood to keep it that way this

intervention. But Bentley had no chance after. Jack Redshaw up with

his first touch since coming on as a substitute clinched the points.

We were beaten by a little bit of nails and a bit of experience. They

have come out in the second half and they have turned us on a regular

basis. -- nous. We were facing our own goal for the majority of the

second half. If that's what it takes to win a game of football at this

level, we have to learn that. Bristol Rovers have found scoring

goals a problem. They were the division's joint second lowest

scorers. Beardsley scored his first for them after just seven minutes.

It was not until the dying embers of the first half that the contender

for the most scrambled goal of the day. Trotman cheering up nearly 1500

green army soldiers. They header teeing up a ninth home league

victory of the season for the guests. The win was sealed by

Mildenhall's superb reflex save from Marvin Morgan, and Plymouth's first

dropped points in four games. Wycombe Wandererd have found form at

the right time. McClure's shots serve notice it would be no easy

ride for Hartlepool. The promotion chasers did edge ahead as the son of

Nick Barmby grabbed an equal -- a goal before half-time. Sam Collins

was caught off-guard by this long throw, only half clearing the

initial delivery before being beaten to the cross by Dean Morgan. Indeed,

defending the dead balls proved the undoing with 20 minutes to go as an

unchallenged McClure headed home Prichard's corner. That means a

third win out four Wycombe despite the near miss from Arnold, and they

now sit seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Mansfield had won back-to-back home games before losing to bury in their

last match at home, but just before the half-hour they opened the

scoring. Ryan Tabb is only -- Tafazolli celebrating after Howlett

in the goal for Newport County. And Alan Mariette did not cover himself

in glory when County equalised in the second half. He spilt the free

kick from Naylor before Howell mopped it up. After Adam Chapman's

shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box, it was the Stags who came

up with a last-minute winner. The build-up was not overly

sophisticated, but when it was nodded across the face of the six

yard box, Anthony Howell swooped to put away his first home goal in

almost a year. And Mansfield Town had claimed just a third home

victory in their last 15 games. You walk on a roll, unbeaten in five

and homing in on the play-offs and relieved to see Fletcher drag this

chance wide -- you walk on a roll. -- York. Michael Coulson headed in

his second goal in two games. The visitors continued to make the

running in the second half. Josh Carson finished the move, but not

accurately enough, but nothing compared to the next chance. I

missed kick, Andy Coulson crossed, but what was Ryan Bowman doing?

Never mind, York up to ninth place and just four points the play-offs.

The first ever league visit to Fratton Park for Chobham taka, and

nearly -- for Chobham, and nearly taking a shock lead. Ricky Holmes

carried a threat for Pompey who had won their previous two home matches

by a single goal. No joy this time. Again where the Robins dug in, and

they were under siege in this melee when the ball broke, sheer weight of

numbers made sure that this would finish without any goals. Only four

wins in 21 games for Portsmouth. It has been over five months since

Exeter one at home. Victory over Plymouth in early October was the

last time the faithful went home happy. Against Dagenham, the

Grecians's mood was lifted by this opener from Tom Nichols. But

Dagenham hit back after the break. Luke Norris curling them level just

after the hour mark. The game was turned on its head soon afterwards.

The Daggers were rewarded with a penalty. Elito's fourth goal of the

season gave Exeter familiar sinking feeling. But there was to be a minor

reward for the home side deep into injury time. Lewington fumbled

Richards' shot into the net, a valuable point for the Grecians but

their long wait for a home win goes on.

The long when -- the long wait for the Exeter fans continues. The axes,

down to ten men, against Chesterfield, 3-1 winners is

exceptional considering the predicament they found themselves

in. They have given themselves some breathing space, certainly. There is

no fluke about this. They were worthy winners, on top from the

outset. Molyneux on the spot, the right place and the right time.

Three good finishes. The second invitation here. I mean, I watched

them play a couple of weeks ago at Portsmouth and they looked as if

they lacked a cutting edge. There wasn't a great deal between the

sides but they wouldn't have scored if they had still been there now.

But on that evidence all of a sudden, a few goals, they did not

believe the worst but they like to -- they lacked the cutting edge and

that was not the case today. Goals have not been aplenty for Burton and

they have given themselves a great chance of automatic promotion,

beating one of their rivals, Oxford, in the process. This could be a

seminal result. A massive result. We know that Oxford have not been on a

bad run. Just look at that. It is not enough just to make the save,

you have got to make sure that the ball doesn't go back into danger

area and he does that there is punished. If you are going to beat

people at this stage of the season there is nothing better than beating

the people around you. We're talking ten points adrift at the bottom,

looking for Chris Hargreaves' side let's look at the tables. With the

top two in the Sky Bet Championship not playing, Derby missed the chance

to close the gap. Their loss to Millwall means they're five points

behind second placed Burnley. However, QPR ended a five-match

winless run to move within a point of the Rams, as the only winners in

the top half today. It was a different story at the bottom with

four of the bottom five winning as well as keeping clean sheets.

Barnsley move off the bottom while Yeovil extended their five-match

unbeaten run. Charlton go bottom, four points from safety but with

four games in hand on Millwall. Yeovil extended their five-match

unbeaten run. Wolves stretch their lead at the top of League One to two

points after equaling a club record eight consecutive league wins. There

was no change in the top six positions but a draw for Orient and

wins for Brentford and Preston means there are just six points separating

the top four teams. Bristol City were the big movers in the bottom

half jumping up three places to 17th after another good win. Stevenage's

recent revival continued with a third win in their last four to move

within a point of safety. Notts County stay bottom despite drawing

with Leyton Orient, the Magpies remain five points adrift. There was

no change in the top three positions despite none of those sides managing

to win. Chesterfield's lead at the top has closed to a point while

fourth placed Burton are now just two points off an automatic

promotion spot. The only side in the bottom half going into the weekend

to lose was bottom club Torquay, who are now cut ten points adrift of

safety. Despite a draw at second placed Scunthorpe, Northampton are

now six points from safety themselves as the likes of

Accrington, Wycombe and Mansfield all won.

That's it from us but a reminder that you can catch up with the

weekend's action in the Premier League on Match Of The Day 2 on

Sunday at 10.25 on BBC One. And don't forget if you want to have

your say on tonight's action via Twitter, then use the hashtag #FLS,

and the best of them will be used in Sunday's live text football

commentary on the BBC Sport website. Steve, thanks as always for your

company tonight. I'll see you next week. Goodnight.