09/02/2014 The Football League Show

Evening. With 12 weeks left of the Skybet Football League, the pressure

is steadily rising and we had another week dominated by off the

field shenanigans. Within days of Brian McDermott's return to Leeds,

the club are now seemingly under new ownership, subject to a rubber

stamp. While Birmingham may be inching towards a similar outcome

themselves after a significant shift in the boardroom. Despite four

postponements, Steve's with me to reflect on Saturday's 30 games.

Here's what's coming up. It was a close call, but after Leicester City

registered their ninth straight win at Bournemouth last week, could the

Foxes make it 10 in a row on Saturday? Our feature game comes

from the King Power as the League leaders welcomed Watford. After a

bizarre 24-hours, Brian McDermott was back in the dug-out for Leeds

United as they travelled to bottom of the table Yeovil Town. We've the

best from a blustury Huish Park. We're at Glanford Park for the match

of the day in League Two as second placed Scunthorpe entertain

Chesterfield. As well as the 74 goals scored today, there's plenty

of talking points from another action-packed weekend of football.

To the East Midlands then, where Championship leaders, Leicester

City, were looking for their tenth league win in a row, with Watford

the visitors. While the Foxes were looking to extend their 10-point

lead at the top, their opponents went in search of their first away

win for four months. Adam Pope describes the action. A club record

nine consecutive league wins has Leicester 1 points clear at the top

of the Championship. Watford are in mid-table with one win in five

league games. The Foxes are unchanged with from the side that

won at Bournemouth. Phillips remains on the bench. Two changes for

Watford. Deeney goes for the shot. That's a

brilliant effort! Superb, Forestieri got that into the back of the net

from absolutely nowhere. . It went in like an absolute bullet. In the

back of the net it goes. Forestieri has Watford in front. It really was

out of nothing. Poor ball. Here's Nugent, Dyer in front of him. Dyer

has it. Dyer with the cross. He wins the corner, just. It goes behind the

goal-line, before all Manchester United ya could reach it. Leicester

trail by 1-0, scored by Forestieri. Nugent, waiting. What a chance! Had

the leap, didn't have the angle. Looks like he is ready to produce

anything from his box of tricks today. Certainly not lacking

confidence in any shape or form. Leicester are trailing by a goal to

nil. Drinkwater, makes room for the cross. Swings it in. Backheel from

Vardy. Inventive, inaccurate in the end. It went beyond the frame of the

goal. To flick it behind him and beyond the keerp was very difficult.

1-0 up. No hurry, I don't suppose. So much of the game to go. Watford

have now forced a corner. Schmeichel is complaining, barking away at the

assistant referee. Tozser, to take. Watford, looking for a second. Lots

of action, lots of movement. Delivery goes long, up. Again into

the sidenetting this time. He will be disappointed he hasn't

found the target with that one. I think Leicester were expecting an

offside. Forestieri awaits. Deeney is joining him as well.

They concede the corner. Cassetti and Angella looking to attack the

ball. Carefully placed. Oh, that is a remarkable save. Angella turned

360, fired it towards goal. Schmeichel produces a marvellous

stop. Forestieri will run hard. He will keep the ball in play. Delap

didn't play-the-ball and allowed him in. Anya. Murray. Drives it hard,

drives it into the bottom corner. Watford have doubled their lead,

before the break, against all the odds, Schmeichel left grabbing air

for the second time in the game. He probably felt he had his angles

right. Murray just was not closed down enough by James. Hence, Watford

have taken the league leaders to task and lead by 2-0. Anya away for

Watford. They have to be applauded on their discipline in this game.

They have had a chance to go forward, it has worked. Delap. A

goal. Arriving from the back, Matty James, just turns it home. For the

first time they got round the back. Turned it across. James finds the

bottom corner. Took a slight deflection on the way. Leicester,

trailing 2-0, have got themselves back in with a very good well worked

goal. Drinkwater, met by Tozser.

Konchesky. He goes for the drive. Almunia watched it all the way,

always rising. Always never going to threaten. Worth a try, fairly early

on in the second-half. Almunia had it covered. In to Nugent.

Drinkwater. Couldn't quite take it on the gallop.

He does well to find Forestieri. They are looking at a third here.

Here is a chance to wrap it up. He can't find Deeney. He cold only find

the ball. Almost the corner flag and a goal kick to Leicester. What a

chance to wrap the game up. Blocked out. A great cross. Oh, he

got up too early, you think, could only flick it wide. David Nugent

could only angle it wide. In towards Nugent. A chance, great

save from Almunia. The flag is up anyway. Leicester thought they got

the equaliser. Watford kept it out. The flag did go up. What a turn from

Nugent. Phillips couldn't convert. The assistants had the flag up

anyway. Schmeichel. Two minutes remaining of added time.

Morgan, it might fall for Phillips. Hooked back across goal. In the way

is Ekstrand. Morgan tries to keep it alive. It might fall for Drinkwater!

What a goal! Danny Drinkwater rescues a point for the league

leaders with their never say die attitude. A BLISSing half-volley to

spoil Watford's day. That's why you become champions when you pick out

moments of brilliance like that. Danny Drinkwater from outside the

penalty area. Batters one past Almunia to rescue the day for

Leicester. 2-2. Is there a chance still yet? Nugent. Here goes James.

James has a chance. James could only find Pudil. What a great block that

was. What a chance that was for Leicester to have sown it up. Here

it comes. The final death throws of a game. James delivers in. Looking

for the heads. It might fall yet. It's wide for Nugent. What a chance

for Nugent to have given Leicester all three points. It hasn't been his

day. The whole of the goal to go at. Instead of three points, Leicester

have to take the one point. What a game. It's finished at the King

Power Stadium, Leicester City two, Watford two. We would have take an

scruffy own-goal to get an equaliser. The amount of pressure we

applied on Watford in the second-half we deserved to get

something out of the game. You always open your self up to the

counter attack. They did have a couple of dangerous situations in

the second-half. I think all in all a draw, you could argue, is the

least we deserved. The only disappointment second-half is that

we didn't make the most of our chances on the counter really. I

don't think it was a question of trying to kill the game. You are

playing against a quality side who are well ahead in our division. You

take the chances in the game and natural breaks in the game. I just

felt obviously Leicester threw everything at us at the end.

Fortunately for them, a ball dropped to a real technical player in Danny

Drinkwater he smacked it in the top corner. Ends Leicester's winning

run. It would feel like a victory after the equaliser. Huge credit to

Watford. They certainly made it difficult for the league leaders?

They started well in the first half. Took a deserved 2-0 lead. Leicester

got back into it before half-time. It was a vital time to score. We sat

there thinking, wait for the fight back. Watford were organised. They

were defensively very strong. It was one chance before the goal came

about. It shows how well they defended. Said it in previous weeks,

Watford have taken that attacking edge a little bit. They are morsel

lid at the back. As you mention, more than worthy of their 2-0 lead?

They started the game well. The three, five, two can bamboozle

people at times. The opposition have to get a grip on what they are up

against. They are good going forward. Forestieri gives it the

pace off the front player. Gives the opposition a conundrum. They work

hard off of the ball. Another good finish. They look lively going

forward. Look like they will create something because they have players

of that elk. Defensively, they are very good as well. Matty James, the

timing of his goal almost changed the complexion of the game. Double

change by Nigel Pearson with the two changes upfront, Wood game on and

Phillips. Almost made for the veteran to pop-up again? Yeah. I

think that was given offside. It shows, who else would be in that

situation expecting the ball to come across goal like that, apart from

him? As we said, Woods comes on as well. There is question marks to be

asked. They just sit off a little bit there, Watford. That is probably

the only one time when they weren't proactive in their defending. Just

giving maybe that little yard of space that they hadn't done

previously. That's a one-off finish. 99 times out of 100 you are pleased

to give someone that time and space in that area as it's a difficult

finish. You would feel unlucky to concede a goal at that stage when

you he defended as well as you have. More frustration for Watford away

from home? Last three 2-0 up and pegged back. On the face of it, a

great result. Both teams will feel it's a point gained.

With Leicester dropping points and QPR not playing until Monday,

Burnley were looking to capitalise with all three points at home to

struggling Millwall. The Clarets, who along with a certain Chelsea,

the only two teams of the 92 who'd yet to taste defeat at home this

season. Sean Dyche has never been on the

losing side against his old club either as player or manager. Martyn

Woolford put Millwall in front. The response from Burnley was

immediate, through Danny Ings. He smashed in his 23rd of the campaign.

Millwall braced themselves for the inevitable onslaught of Danny Ings

again causing havoc, before Abdou took matters into his own hands. The

referee was perfectly placed, but the same cannot be said for the

penalty. Stephen Bywater made the save. Second place was up for

grabs, and in first half stoppage time, Dean Marney capped an

eye-catching display with his first goal in over a year. The result was

put beyond doubt when Danny Ings displayed in Mackin at control. This

latest Burnley crop continues to break new ground, they are now 19

games unbeaten at home, a new post-war record. His football, his

energy, his finishing, some really good signs about what we are about

as a group and as a collective, as well as Danny Ings himself. Having

trained all week, there was talk of Barry Ferguson picking himself for

this one, but in the end, there was no need. ACPO are getting players

back from injury, and it showed against Forest. The first half was

even but Forest sneaked ahead in stoppage time. But Blackpool are

more lively since the departure of Paul Ince. This week Stephen Dobbie

said that Ince cramped his attacking style, and he almost proved his

point here. Andy Keogh was the next man to go close, Karl Darlow having

to turn this effort away. But Keogh and Blackpool were not to be denied.

For the second time this season, a late goal cost Forest against the

Tangerines. It was Andy Keogh who levelled the match. It is just a bit

of confidence the boys have needed. As you said, I have had a full week

to prepare them, the way I want them to play, and they have responded. It

was a game of two halves, we had the first, they had the second, with

that wind. But a point away from home is a very good point.

Sheffield Wednesday's lowly league position no longer bears much

relation to their form, but their revival under Stuart Gray was to be

sorely tested by Reading. Adam Le Fondre had this effort, the

Championship player of the month. He had got two hat tricks in the last

two home games. Reading fans were anticipating another romp. But the

outlook for their opponents changed dramatically when Defoe was brought

down. Chris Maguire completed the punishment. Wednesday had an extra

man for the remaining 80 minutes. Afobe's power was a big Rob,

including for the cameraman. The Arsenal youngster kept his foot on

the gas throughout. Afobe made just one start on loan for Reading two

years ago, and Wednesday are the fifth club to take him on loan. And

he got off the mark. Reading have retained their grip on six spot, but

it took the woodwork to stop the wind being even more convincing. To

come here, a difficult place to come, and get a clean sheet, win

2-0, we have thoroughly enjoyed the day. I am not even sure if it is a

penalty, and it is certainly not a sending-off. The player has gone to

ground. The referee for me has made a really poor decision.

Mick McCarthy is not one to forget his roots, which might be a

different colour these days, but the proud Yorkshireman is backing his

hometown club to beat the drop this season. He would have preferred

their revival to start after Ipswich's visit. Rizzo Grady was

allowed to turn and fire home after 12 minutes. But the home side did

not have this all their own way. Aaron Cresswell's free kick had

looped steel clutching at thin air. Having weathered the storm, the reds

prepared themselves for more in the second. When substitute Tomasz Cywka

blasted Barnsley's second, the relief was palpable. But McCarthy's

men have one of the best records for gaining points from losing

positions. Christophe Berra put them back into contention. Danny

Wilson's team were now hanging on for what would be a priceless win.

Stephen Hunt was inches away here. But for the second week running,

Barnsley suffered more late heartbreak, with this free kick from

David McGoldrick. I will be feeling far better than Danny does, and the

Barnsley players and crowd. It always seems like a far better point

when you have been behind in a game. I think we should have won the

game, personally. If you are a Middlesbrough fan, there are two

ways of looking at this result. You could marvel at the defensive

solidity and ninth clean sheet under this manager, or you could bang your

head in frustration at the chronic lack of goals. Mustapha Carayol came

close. But he found Paul Robinson in unbeatable form. Time and again,

Mustapha Carayol was courted by the former England goalkeeper. The

goalkeeper took the man of the match honours hands down. At the other

end, fellow veteran Shay Given had a more quiet time but still played his

part. It was Boro's third consecutive goalless straw.

We had three or four chances to score. It is frustrating for me

today. Robinson has is in the game, making some brilliant saves. First

half, we were not good enough, but in the second half, we thought we

did well. That means Blackburn have lost just one of their last seven.

Doing pretty well and the Gary Bowyer. As for Burnley, they needed

a win, didn't they, Steve? And that was a good result against Millwall,

with Danny Ings getting better and better? When you have got a player

like this, you make the most of it. It has been a wonderful season so

far. That is a great finish. And this was a great touch, the 'keeper

might have been able to come out a bit quicker. He can go in behind, he

can link the play, he plays off a big man. His all-round game has

improved so much just when you have got someone like that, you have a

chance in most games. What about this post-war record at Turf Moor,

undefeated in 19? Yes, and also they have won more than QPR it is a great

record. They are strong, they can always perform well at home, but

they will want to make sure that they turn those drawers, six tours

at home, into a couple more victories. But they are going along

well. They are going to be there right to the death. Another team

which has got a good level of consistency, Sheffield Wednesday.

Under Stuart Gray, you wonder why he did not get into the full-time post

sooner. He has got Chris Maguire, scored that penalty there. It was

not that long ago that he was out in the cold, under Dave Jones. Yes I

have seen them a couple of times, like against Leeds, when they were

fantastic. They are organised. They are starting to work hard for each

other. They have now added that bit of quality. When a team is playing

poorly, you are trying to fit Chris Maguire into that side, it is not

easy. When you are playing well, and you have got a player like that, I

saw him down at Pompey on loan, he has got masses of ability, it is

just finding that role for him to get the best out of him, and they

have obviously done that. What a week it turned out to be for Brian

McDermott. Hours after being reportedly sacked by the prospective

owners of Leeds, he was then reinstated. He was at the helm once

again for the trip to relegation threatened Yeovil town. Gary Johnson

made two changes, with Ishmael Miller and Kevin Dawson starting,

while Leeds were unchanged. Some space opening up for Leeds.

MacCormack! That was very close to finding the top corner. Extremely

strong wind it is making the game a little bit of a lottery. Chance for

McCormack, but wide. Ross McCormack did really well there. The form he

has been in in front of goal this season, you would have expected him

to hit the target. And the header is in! Superb goal from Ishmael Miller.

The bottom side, Yeovil, lead against Leeds United, through

Ishmael Miller's thumping header. Five goals in this his ninth

appearance since he came on loan from Nottingham Forest. This header

had quality written all over it. Space opening up for grant. Miller!

He was onside! Wow! That seemed to be an opening. He was definitely

onside here. It's just ran away from him.

Grant! The ricochet! Wide! And everyone collectively held their

breath, not least Paddy Kenny. The conditions we have got out here

today are such that anything can happen, that could easily have gone

into the net. Webster's header, seized upon. It might drop here for

McCormack, and it does. And he cannot beat Marek Stech.

Penalty given! Sam Byram's challenge, and the referee has

pointed to the spot. This was the challenge from Sam Byram on Dawson.

He commits himself to it, is momentum takes him into Dawson. So,

Ishmael Miller with an opportunity to give the bottom club, Yeovil, a

2-0 lead, just before half-time. Hoping the wind does not blow the

ball off the spot. Miller! Off the bar and over and out of the ground!

Will that come back to haunt the bottom club, Yeovil town? Yeovil

Town, unsurprisingly, are unchanged, they are leading through

that wonderful header from Ishmael Miller. But he also missed a penalty

in the first half. At first clearance from Marek Stech, my

goodness, it comes back into the penalty area. What a goal from Ross

McCormack! And what a start to the second half!

Brilliant from Ross McCormack. No saving this.

The Leeds fans thought that was heading into the back of the net

from Austin. My goodness, he caught hold of this shot.

It catches on the wind. Stech pays for that as it sails beyond him.

Appeals for handball. Away. McCormack, he has kept it in. Look

at the run from Kebe. McCormack has picked him out. It's Kebe. There was

the opportunity to win the game for Leeds. McCormack finding Kebe. How

wasteful was that? Good save from Stech. He keeps it at 2-1, to deny

McCormack. That was tough to play out there. The conditions were very,

very difficult. I thought the lads handled it well. Went 1-0 down. We

were confident we would get back into the game. We have to keep

going. I'm as disappointed as the lads in there. We aren't saying,

don't worry about that one. We want to see parts of our game that are

better than what we've shown today. I think the most important thing for

me to to concentrate on the staff, players and supporters and do my

job. What will be, will be. I love working for Leeds United. I love

being Leeds United manager. The most important thing when you are a

football manager is to win. Glad to be focussing on the football. You

can hardly blame him. Yeovil could have been 2-0 up at the break at

that point? They missed a penalty. That 10-minute spell before

half-time was the time when they were really dominant. They had three

excellent opportunities there. This being the best of all three. He

balloon it is over. All of a sudden, you go in 2-0 up, psychologically,

that is a huge boost. Especially when you know you will come up

against it in the second-half. Up to that point, there wasn't a lot in

the game. 10-minutes they could have put distance between themselves and

Leeds and didn't. Leeds turned it around quickly. You knew that would

happen. It was in the back of the minds of the Yeovil fans. Leeds came

up with their tails up. They scored early on. The elements played its

part? I'm still wondering what Stech is trying to do, to clear the ball

in the way he has. Marvellous finish? Fantastic finish. He had an

opportunity to use the wind like they have. Look at the keeper and

say - what is he trying to do? Why is he trying to second guess that?

Play safe, stay in the line and see what the ball does and the flight of

the ball. The wind kept it going. He has been done by the pace of it.

Brian McDermott might be fed up with what has gone on behind-the-scenes.

The new guys are in, these are the guyes who first gave him the message

he was no longer in the job. Are there question marks? There are

question marks. They coming in and messing it up. They got a couple of

results. I don't think they will want to put themself in that

position again. Let us leave him in charge and see what happens this

season. Are five places off - If they had taken over they would have

sacked him. Has brought him time. Results have turned in. No need to

get rid of him. Let us see what happens towards the end of the

season. Five points off the play-off. They have Millwall this

coming Wednesday. Our last look at the Championship

starts with Doncaster who, after a four-game unbeaten run, were

enjoying their best form this season. Earlier, Paul Dickov's side

hosted play-off chasers Brighton. Brighton took a point from three

successive away games. Doncaster know that feeling. Four games

unbeaten had lifted their mood. The return of Billy Sharp on-loan raised

hopes it will improve. He drifted away from the Albion defence in the

second-half. That was in keeping with a forgettable afternoon for the

man who scored the first ever goal at the AMEX in 2011. Brighton unable

to find the target in that trio of league away trips just gone. There

was relief around the ground as this went in, but the linesman took the

shine off. Ulloa scoring. The tussle in the closing moments between Sharp

and Greer ruined their day. The Doncaster boss said the referee

decided the striker had kicked out at the Brighton defender and reached

straight for a red card. Suspension Rovers could do without as they

battle to avoid the drop. I thought my players were terrific today.

Their work ethnic and discipline I thought tactically, all over the

pitch, excellent. First half we knew they would put us under pressure,

defensively I was pleased with them. The second-half we took the game to

them. If anything we had the more clear-cut chances. Wigan won at

Huddersfield last season en route to lifting the FA Cup. They have never

won a league game in this part of Yorkshire.

Waghorn should have scored on his debut. Wigan hit the target nine

times on their travels this season. A worrying statistic. Gerrard almost

gave them a helping hand. A personal dual was developing. The Wigan

keeper had his palm stung. Al Habsi relieved to see the ball clear the

bar. For the former Manchester United trainee was like a dog with a

bone. Wigan's keeper was grateful to the woodwork when he had another

pop. Having tried his luck without success on three accept vat

occasions, it took one of his team-mates to show him how it was

done. Clayton hit the jackpot to end Huddersfield four-match lose streak.

It's been tough because we played really well and not got what we

deserved. Last week was a one off, I think. It still hurts. We have been

able to keep a cleansheet and take three points against one of the

challengers this year. An unfortunate type owe on the Bolton

team for this game, the description "acting manager" was printed near

Dougie freeman's name. Lee smashed in his first league goal of the

season. His last one in December 2013 -- 2012. Bolton flew into a 2-0

lead after the half-hour mark. Jutkiewicz improvising one of the

day's most spectacular finishes. Wand Erskene confidence was dented

two minutes later. Bournemouth pulled one back thanks to this

unstoppable effort from Lewis Grabban. Keeping hold of him might

be the best bit of business in the Cherries enterprising transfer

window. Francis levelled the game. It wasn't a fifth straight defeat

for Bolton, it certainly felt like one. Perhaps the Trotters should be

grateful for the points. Bournemouth would have won it if Bogdan had not

reached Kermorgant's flick. Small mercies for Freeman who needs more

than draws to keep his name on that team sheet. 2-0 down we would have

taken a draw. We started slowly, we had a couple of chances before they

scored their first goal. Which we didn't take. They punished us. We

showed great character to come back. With the chances we had second-half

we are disappointed not to have won the game. Without a win in 2014 and

in the midst of rebuilding the side the description applied for both

clubs at the Valley. Macheda is proving useful. Charlton's influx is

Belgian. Three of their new men started.

The referee saw no foul. Birmingham's Adeyemi stayed on his

feet. He set up Macheda for his third goal in two games. A

contribution that has been worth four points to the Blues following

his last-ditch equaliser against Derby. That mines that City have put

nine points between themselves and the bottom three where Charlton

remain. Their situation is as stick y as their pitch after four

successive league defeats. Only the FA Cup is keeping their spirits up.

Not the result we wanted. Even though we had good passages of play,

you want the chances to go in. We had them. You know, at this present

time we need them to go in. We've created good chances and we've got

someone now and he puts the ball in the back of the net. Sides bedding

in new faces like the start of a season. Having to go again with

loans returning. It looked as if he was back to his

best. He is a goalscorer. He has the instinct to be in the right place at

the right time. When you sign placers like Lee Clark is, that

amount of loans throughout the season, some will be hits and

misses. There will be a chance it will not work or it will work.

Clearly, that one is off to a good start. A shift in the boardroom of

your old club at St Andrews, Carson Young owns majority shares of the

parent company. He is not on the board of the football club. It

could... It could be the start of their beginning of the end of his

reign. I suppose, as far as Birmingham fans are concerned it

can't come soon enough? It was strange... We know the amount of

money he paid. People are scratching their head. ?80 million. Is he sure

about what he is doing here. He is treading water. The club are

treading water. The club is a reflection of his own, the way

things have gone for him. Until he moves on, the club can't move on.

They are stuck in a Malay at this stage. For that to be resolved, can

only be good for the football club. We have to mention Huddersfield's

good win against Wigan. Four defeats and what happened against Leeds, a

good return? It stabilises and puts a dent in Leeds promotion.

To League One now where three games were called off because of

waterlogged pitches. So with both Brentford and Wolves not playing as

a result, Leyton Orient had the chance to regain top spot at home to

Leyton Orient produced one of their best performances of the season when

they came behind to win a terrific game at Peterborough. It was a tight

first half. Cox out of luck with a neatly timed volley. This shot

denied by the post. The keeper got the vital touch. Their keeper's save

inspired Leyton Orient, they took the lead shortly afterwards. Mooney

on the end of a loyal James free-kick to put away his 17th of

the season. This time it was Peterborough who stormed back. From

another free-kick they got their free-kick they scored. Peterborough

struck again. Rowe find firing in from the corner of the box. Leyton

Orient had been beaten in the dying moments for the second week on the

spin. No When you get to this stage of the

season it is not so much about ability, it is the team that has the

character that will go all the way and today we had a great character

to come back. There are good characters in the changing room.

They will roll their sleeves up and come back battling against.

Preston were two league defeats since October had Garner back. It

was a welcome return for a striker who took his goals tally to 15 for

the season. Williams prevented him having a second and Garner's had

looked destined for the top corner until the Tranmere keeper pulled him

away. They levelled before the interval. Good work from Ryan Lowe.

It was turned in by Taylor and the game was in the balance. Jason coup

mass, often effective from set piece situations, did not have the impact

he desired after coming off the bench. It was left for Garner to

claim his aunt Preston's second, he settled the contest to keep the club

firmly in the promotion mix and leave Tranmere embroiled in a fight

for survival. We started the game extremely well, got the goal and

needed to capitalise on that. I'm delighted we got a victory today. We

mixed it up and got another three points.

If you are short on goals it must be nice to be able to call upon your

club's all-time leading scorer. It is what MK Dons did here. McLeod's

exquisite chip marks one of the best comeback story. It was his third

league start of the season. Having scored the opener he was brought

down for a penalty at half-time. Andy Butler was the guilty man.

Worse was to come. The red card came out and Walsall were on their way to

a first defeat of 2014. Certainly once Reeves dispatched the spot

kick. Three straight defeats for the Dons, all without scoring had led to

McLeod's recall. His explosive finish capped a much-needed win for

the side that harbours play-off ambitions. So do the Sadlers but

this was not one of their better days but even a penalty could get

them on the scoresheet. The man was brought down and took the kick

himself. On this evidence, storage and Suarez haven't got anything to

worry about. -- Daniel Sturridge. Neuer-macro Swindon's a promotion

challenge appeared to have hit the buffers, four league wins in their

previous 13 matches and inside 20 minutes Port Vale got the lead from

Loft. Just before the break, the Valley and took the stranglehold on

proceedings. -- the brilliance. Lines's goal. You sense Swindon

needed a quick response in the second half. Six minutes in, Ranger

arrived on the end of Pritchard cross to halve the deficit. His

eight league goals for the Robins. His first away from home. Now,

Swindon were starting to ask a few questions, and at the end of a slick

move on the end of the box it was Michael Smith who rattled Port Vale

upright. Rangers -- Ranger's pace was a threat. His shot struck the

top of the bar. An equaliser had to come and five minutes past the hour,

Pritchard's superb free kick zoomed into the roof of the net as Swindon

put together their best way performance for some time. They

haven't won on the road since November and it was their young

defender Byrne who popped up to complete the magnificent comeback

and put his side back in promotion contention.

An amazing game at Vale Park, comeback of the day, surely? Yes,

when you think about the preparation they had with it and the game in

midweek against Peterborough and what surrounded that game and to be

asked the questions again and have the answers, it is a fantastic way

to react to a tough situation. Talking of Peterborough, they

inflicted another late, painful defeat on Leyton Orient. Two goals

in the last three minutes, an amazing turnaround. He is trying to

freshen things up, Darren Ferguson. He has brought in a talented young

centre half from Hartlepool, Lee Tomlin is gone and hoping this is

going to spark a turnaround? It is a fantastic result, puts them back

into the play-offs and probably they would have thought they would do

well to get themselves back in amongst it. That is a really good

result. As you say, they have good money, in excess of 1.5 million

pounds, so there might be questions about why they have let him go but

you can understand for those amounts of money, it gives the latitude to

freshen things up and maybe if he desires one or two they can bring

them in. You can understand why they go but you get a reaction from the

players in a positive sense today. We saw Preston beat Tranmere, they

have lost one in eight games. Joe Garner with two goals, in great

form. You look at the strikers they have got at Deepdale, Kevin Davies,

Craig Davies, Paul Gallagher and here he comes with 11 games in 16

games. -- 11 goals in 16 games. He has to play well, hasn't he?

Sometimes it works for or against you when there are that many

forwards. Sometimes it is the case of pressure and players don't

respond to pressure. As a forward you want to play every week. You

don't want to know if you are out of the team and if you do score, you

stay in, so you want to score each week and get consistency. He is

doing his best to be number one out of the list you mentioned. He is

doing a good job. More from League One starting with Coventry City, who

fresh from a victory at Bristol city on Tuesday night went in search of

another wing by this time at Notts County.

After three defeats in a row, Notts County could ill afford another

setback. Coventry boast a respectable away record but they

could not contain the side that established an early advantage.

Mullins set them on their way. The team have conceded five in their

last home match, but this was more like it as they pressed for a

second. Smith could not quite find a way through. Spencer was making his

home debut less than a week since signing from Huddersfield. He was

quick to make his mark in stunning fashion. Things were looking up.

They added to their commanding lead when Adams appended a player to

conceded up a penalty. It was left for Sheehan to steer home the spot

kick and move the club in the right direction. Out of the bottom four.

For Gillingham the journey to Brunton Park is long and usually

fruitless. Their last win at Carlisle came over 20 years ago.

Striker Joe Pigott wasn't even born there but the child and lonely got

them the half-time lead. That came just before half-time but did not

break the Cumbrians' resistance. Miller one of two men to strike the

woodwork. A mistake late in the game sealed their fate. McDonald notched

his seventh goal in eight league matches. His career seems to have

taken off. It was briefly hoped-for Carlisle, in injury time, from

Robson's Cross, Legge put the ball into his own net but there was no

way back for United who slipped closer to the bottom four. It is

what it is, we keep fighting and pulling together and hopefully

getting performances like that and if we continue to get them I am sure

we will get the victories. We have to believe and I want the lads to be

positive and keep going. Strength and pace are probably my

main asset, said Ikpeazu when he signed the Crewe, and he displayed

both qualities superbly to give his leader -- to give his team the lead

at Bradford. The first senior goal for the teenager on his full debut.

He sniffed out a penalty box chance but his anticipation was billions.

He doubled the lead early in the second half. Crewe seems to be

another wind but Hansen, back after an injury, put his side back in the

match. Just over 90 seconds later they were level. Aaron reclaimed the

men who set up the first goal, laid the ball back for Jones to belt in

the equaliser. It was turning into quite a match. With Bradford pouring

forward for the winner, Crewe hit them on the break. The ball went to

Pogba and the finish across McLaughlin was emphatic. Writing

Bradford off, especially Jones, is a full's game and the veteran

midfielder feeding off the excellent McClane levelled the match for the

second time with seven minutes to play. There was sure to be one more

chance and it fell to Hansen at the far post. But somehow Crewe's

teenaged keeper Garratt kept it out. This was terrific entertainment.

Only goal difference separated Bristol City from the drop zone

ahead of their trip to Banbury Park. Jon Stead was facing his old club

but it was all done strike partner Philliskirk who took centre stage

with that spectacular contribution. Flint rescued a point. Despite the

draw, city drop into the relegation places.

Having defeated Fulham on Tuesday, the Blades held a remarkable and

unwanted record ahead of the six pointer. Their only wins in 2014 had

come against Premier League opposition. Flint's goal will not

have the same column inches but it was vital -- Flynn. Stefan

Scougall's first club goal settled it. It was the bread and butter of

League One. By contrast, Shrewsbury Town be toast if they carry on like

this. Eight defeats out of 11 and no win under Mike Jackson. Taylor's

miss summed up their day. After the effort that has gone in, it wasn't

likely to be, but it was professional. We got two good goals

and we did not sit on it but we made sure we created chances against us.

You were impressed with Sheffield United against Fulham? Disciplined,

tough to break down, the best player of the lights, Brian Flynn, scored

today. A good week for him and them. After three consecutive defeats for

Notts County this is what Shaun Derry needed, a 3-0 win against

Coventry, who were almost up there on the edge of the play-off places.

The first goal by Mullins, then Spencer, but Mullins, for whom it is

his first time in this division, he plied his trade in the Championship

and Premier League. You know what you will get from someone like that?

If you sign a 34-year-old who is playing at the highest level, coming

down, you have to get the character right and you get that in him. He

will give you the work rate, the effort that you want and will be an

inspiration for others around him and he made a marked effect today.

Yes, him and Gareth Roberts adds experience to the side. A goodwill

for Gillingham, struggling for consistency. -- a good win for

Gillingham. They beat Carlisle and they are on the drop, aren't they?

They have lost seven out of nine but this is alarming, 15 loans this

season, 28 debuts, 41 players they have used. Staggering. The numbers

you are talking about, how can you get consistency? How can you get

results? You have a change of manager, players who start the

season and were not good enough, new ones come in and change it around,

so you have a numbers game and there have been that many loans and people

coming in to make their debuts, it is not a surprise they have one in

17 and they are dropping like a stone. Something has to stop and be

addressed. They are a point away from the bottom four. They are going

to be in trouble. Having to factor in all the new faces will stop It is

impossible. The sole aim has to be survival, surely? It will be now,

coming off the back of that. You have one thing in mind and want

brief, just to keep your heads above water. To League Two and thanks to a

13 run, Scunthorpe is firmly on track. The Iron faced their stiffest

examination yet of that promotion content does with the visit of

Chesterfield. Temp takes up the story at Glanford Park. -- Clem

takes up the story. After two promotions and three

relegations, and a couple of close shaves, you could be forgiven for

thinking that Scunthorpe might settle for mid-table obscurity this

time around. Instead, they are in the thick of a battle to get into

League One. And it is thanks to a manager stepping out of the shadows

after a decade as an assistant, who is yet to taste defeat, three months

after succeeding his mentor, Brian laws, a centre forward who in the

summer was without a club and came here on trial, yet is now the top

scorer in the league, and an entire backroom staff and several players

who are back in the buzz of the club for a second spell. What is it about

this place that everybody keeps coming back? Just a fantastic place.

It is great to have members of staff that have played for the football

club. That is important, they know what it is about, they know what is

required. How does the club compared to the one you left in 2010? The one

which had just finished 20th in the Championship? That is a tough one.

When I left, it was doing well, we left it in a good place, and three

and a half years on, we are in the basement of the division. But since

I have been back in here, full of confidence, it feels like we are

back in the situation we were in back then. How is the transition,

when you have been assistant for all that time, and you have got to make

the decisions? Yes, it has been a long apprenticeship, it has not been

something I have been driven to do, I had enjoyed my time as a number

two. But the opportunity came up, and I feel ready for it. How are you

and Brian laws, everything still OK? Yes, we are OK, it is difficult.

When he leaves the football club, again, you has the later rivage, and

all I have done is pick up the baton and try and move the club forward.

When you were released by Wolves, you did not necessarily have

anything to go to? No, I did not have anything lined up. At the start

of the summer I did not know where I would be. Preseason, still did not

know, and eventually, I came here, and it has been a great move for

me. As soon as the game has finished, I am looking around the

league to see who has scored. But it would be fantastic on a personal

level to be top come May, but promotion for us is the main target.

I watched Chesterfield at Fleetwood on Tuesday night and they were

outstanding so we know it is going to be a tough game. But I think

Chesterfield know that it is going to be a tough game for them as well.

The leaders started brightly, Eoin Doyle keeping Sam Slocombe on his

toes. Scunthorpe's run of form is impressive, 13 unbeaten before this.

15 minutes in, they had the breakthrough, tucked away following

the deflection after the shot from Paddy Madden. Slocum refused to be

beaten, meanwhile. With the home side seeming set for a half-time

lead, the Spireites got themselves back on terms, as Terry Hawkridge

sent Ritchie Humphreys brawling. Eoin Doyle kept his cool. Both sides

pressed for a winner in the second half. Winnall went close to winning

it. But in the end, there was nothing to separate them.

You do not need to check, it is 15 now. Yes, but it is disappointing in

the end, we were leading. But it is another point on the way to

promotion. You had better get in there, I do not want to get you told

off. Cheers. What have you just said to them? Well done. It is another

point, we wanted three, did not quite manage it. I thought second

half, we were the team in my view most likely to go and get the win.

People say to you, as a number two, you will know what it is like when

you experience it. It means that little bit more when everything is

resting on your shoulders. The substitutions and everything you do.

But I am enjoying it. I thought the lads performed really well today.

They have stuck together as a group through some difficult periods. A

point against Chesterfield is no mean feat, and after struggling

against relegation for the last three years, these are more positive

times. Thorpe. They are, I think they were one of the busiest in

Paddy Madden, that was a bit of an eyebrow raising, I think he cost of

couple of Bob as well. So they are setting their sights firmly on

promotion. So, good luck to them. And what a great story about Sam

Winnall. They say strikers are the ones who get paid the big arcs, and

you pay the big bucks for, but he did not cost a penny. No, sometimes,

players slip through the net. It is all about opinions, and sometimes

people get their opinions wrong and other people profit from it, and

certainly, they have done that. It has been three matches unbeaten for

Oxford since the shock departure of Chris Wilder two weeks ago. Today

they were up against Bristol Rovers, who are just one point above the

drop zone. Oxford united were top of the league

before they were beaten at home by brittle Rovers back in November. But

generally they are a better side on the road. This was a magnificent

finish from James Constable, putting them on course to avenge that

defeat. Constable, just three away now from equalling the all-time

record for the club. But suddenly, Bristol Rovers lifted the tempo, and

goalkeeper Ryan Clarke had to get down fast to keep out Tom Lockyer.

Shortly afterwards, John-Joe O'Toole, raking his 50th appearance

for the Pirates, headed in. And it could have been even better for the

home side. But in stoppage time, Brown shot across the face of the

goal, and was just millimetres wide. Phil Brown's Southend have enjoyed

an impressive sequence of results. Mansfield have not won at home since

September. Sam Clucas went about changing that, finishing in style.

He gave the Stags something to celebrate. And the afternoon got

better. This corner from Chris Clements was headed goalwards, and

James Jennings did the rest. Southend made changes, Conor

Clifford was a second-half introduction, but he hit the bar

here. Clifford then contributed to his side's downfall, going in studs

showing and receiving a red card. Southend were up against it. Barry

Corr deserved better. This time the post kept him out. Southend did

manage a consolation, scored by Ryan Leonard. But the unbeaten run was at

an end. For Mansfield, this was a welcome return to form. Over the

last two and a half years, we have made this place a Games. We have had

some great games here. Home form has been poor this season. -- we have

made this place a fortress. AFC Wimbledon have a milestone in

sight, just two short of 1000 goals since the club was formed ten years

ago. Rochdale went into the lead through is got Hogan. That was

midway through the second half, put the promotion chasers back on track

after the disappointment of a red feat last week, against Dagenham

Redbridge. Soon, Hogan had another to celebrate. -- a rare defeat.

Three goals in the space of 60 minutes have put Rochdale just one

point behind the top three. -- 16 minutes. Burton have conceded just

11 on the road all season, but they needed flag to bail them out on this

occasion, after Jack Redshaw justifiably thought he had put

Morecambe in front. The Brewers went on to take full advantage. First,

new signing Gary Alexander was denied by a terrific sage from Gary

Roach. With 18 minutes left, Sully Ismail put away his first senior

goal. It was enough to secure all three points for Burton. He is a

terrific player, and you get to 60 minutes there will be a few sides

fearful when we bring him on. I do not think we have done enough to win

the game today. We will have to play better.

This was dagger is against Racism day, with discounted tickets, for

the visit of Hartlepool. -- Daggers. James provided an early

warning. Rhys Murphy was close. And then Luke Morris was left all alone,

but somehow managed to squander a wonderful chance. It was to prove

costly. Luke Williams, on a month's loan from Middlesbrough, claimed his

first goal for Hartlepool. The England under-20 international

underlined his ability. Andy Monkhouse completed the scoring to

give them their first league double of the season. Still a long way to

go in their bid to break into the top seven, but it now looks a

realistic ambition. Chris Wilder's worried look may not

be changing any time soon. Northampton: New manager made his

home debut in charge, and watched Plymouth take three points. It was

all too easy, from the perspective of the home side. And there was more

uncertainty at the back. Plymouth had a strong wind behind them, and

the bottom club were in danger of getting blown away. Matt Duke did

better on this occasion, only to be embarrassed by a cross from Lewis

Alessandra, which sealed Argyle's victory. Northampton are in deep

trouble. We need to work extremely hard right now. It is happening now.

So, we have to brush this off and get ourselves going again for

Tuesday night, because it is a big, big game against Torquay. We cannot

dwell on this. We are trying to learn and move forward, but there is

a lot of work to be done. York City had not scored in their two previous

home games, but John McCombe was purply kept out here. In the main,

it was all York, but Jermaine McGlashan did have a vibrant solo

run for Chuck, shutdown by the alert young 'keeper Nick Pope. -- for

Cheltenham. From then on, the home side piled on the pressure.

Cheltenham were hanging on for dear life. It was goalkeeper Brown who

kept them alive. This was a brilliant save to keep out the free

kick from Josh Carson. In the dying moments, he was relieved to see

Russell Penn's piledriver deflected away from danger.

Portsmouth were chasing successive away victories. They were only three

points clear of the relegation zone going into this fixture. But this

was a simple finish to put them ahead. They nearly threw it away

when Ben Chorley's backpass was completely missed by Trevor Carson.

The 'keeper was relieved to see the ball rolling into the side netting.

Exeter had not won in seven home games, but they were creating plenty

of chances. Carson made a terrific save on this occasion. Then, Liam

Sercombe wriggled clear of the Pompey defence, but without reward.

There were enough people back to preserve the lead. Ryan Taylor could

not quite profit from another defensive blunder, this time by

Artur Krysiak. The Pompey striker was close to putting the match out

of sight. Portsmouth must have thought they had done enough to hold

out, but in the final moments, there was to be a dramatic conclusion, as

this deflected effort went in, and it was heartbreak for Pompey.

Worrying times for Wycombe. Four successive home defeat had them in

big trouble ahead of this one. The goals had dried up. Styche kept up

the scoresheet. Stanley are showing the kind of spirit that could keep

them up. Had it not been for a linesman's Flag, they would have

racked up a third straight win. Frustrating late on but at least

Wycombe stopped the rot. That point was better for Accrington

than Wycombe and the pressure is on Gareth Ainsworth. I have seen them

twice this season and they have played well. They have knocked the

ball around, they lacked a cutting edge and that was the case today but

that is an incredibly poor run. Somebody who did have a cutting

edge, Scott Hogan, from Rochdale. The leading goal-scorer. He is

relatively young, the first season at the Football League. Well done to

him and Keith Hill admitted his head was all over the place in January,

saying he could get a big mover but credit to him. Absolutely, he has

got his death -- he has got his head down again. He took his goals

magnificently and Rochdale were excellent. It was some of the

poorest play I have seen in an awful long time, so Neal Eardley will be

desperately disappointed about their performance today but take nothing

away from Rochdale, they were excellent. They can do the

business. Relief for Mansfield, their first home win in 11 games.

The owner is appealing for more help financially. It shows you where they

are at. It has been a tough year for the manager because they have had

such an up and down season. A good start, expectation rises, then a bad

one and when you are inconsistent, you have to handle that. When you

look at it, six points of relegation, where they are is fine

for Mansfield. That is not an issue. They are doing OK. It is just the

way they have got there. A good result against Southend. As for the

tables - Leicester extend their lead at the top of the Sky Bet

Championship to 11 points despite Watford ending their record-winning

run. Burnley move back into second after

as the only winners in the top seven today. QPR play on Monday. Only

three sides in the bottom half of the Championship won, namely,

Huddersfield, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham. Bottom club Yeovil

remain six points adrift of safety after a third consecutive defeat.

Leyton Orient missed the chance to go top of League One after their

late home defeat to Peterborough, which means there was no change in

the top fiveposition. Posh moved back into the play-off spots at

Walsall's expense. Notts County moved out of the relegation places

and up three places to 19th with that comfortable win against

Coventry. Sheffield United now within a point of safety into 21st.

With bottom club Stevenage now five points from safety but with games in

hand. There was no change in the automatic promotion places of League

Two as all three drew. So Chesterfield remain three points

clear at the top. Rochdale and Burton both closed the gap on the

trio above them with away wins. Just five points separating the top five

club. Mansfield were the only winners in the bottom half of the

table, jumping up three places to 17th after surprisingly ending

Southend's eight-match unbeaten run. After their fourth consecutive home

defeat, bottom club Northampton are now seven points from safety. That's

it from us. Don't forget to join John Inverdale for live coverage of

the Six Nations as France take on Italy at 2.30pm on Sunday afternoon

on BBC One. Later, for all the highlights from Sunday's Premier

League games - there's Match Of The Day 2 at 10.25pm. Steve, good to see

you. Have a great week. Goodnight.