26/10/2013 The Football League Show

Evening, welcome along to the best from the Skybet Football League and,

judging by events in midweek, confirmation, as if you needed it,

that autumn is well and truly here with incredible scenes at Portsmouth

after torrential rain forced their game with Wycombe to be abandoned at

half time, which was just as well really as the players would've

struggled to get out for the second half anyway.

While the winds of change swept through another club this week as

Tony Mowbray ended his four-year stay at Middlesbrough.

Elsewhere, Nigel Clough becomes the latest man to lead the revolution at

Sheffield United, with Blades fans hoping he finds his feet quicker

than Oldham's Lee Johnson, who was in the wrong place at the wrong

time. Leroy's here to see who else slipped

up during today's final round of games in October.

Leaders Burnley went in search of their seventh straight win taking on

the only unbeaten record in the League held by Harry Redknapp's QPR

at the other end of the table. Barnsley went head-to-head with

Sheffield Wednesday in the day's early kick off.

In a South Yorkshire Derby. Middlesbrough began life after

Mowbray at home to Doncaster on Friday.

A beleaguered Boro in search of only their second win this season. After

missing out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season,

followed by defeat in the League One play-off final, Brentford have

dusted themselves off to go again. Standing in the way of their third

win in a week were Shrewsbury. To the Championship's Match of the

Day then as first took on second at Turf Moor.

With nine wins out of 12, leaders Burnley needed just three more

points to equal the club's best ever start to a season.

Their opponents were QPR, the only unbeaten club left in the Football

League. Your commentator is Alistair Mann.

It's the Championship match of so far. Enjoying their best start to a

season in 116 years, there is an atmosphere which be-Fitz the

occasion. Consistency of selection has been one of the key factors in

Burnley's success so far. There is one change:

It's a side packed full of Premier League experience.

Hoilett has done extremely well. Burnley have sufficient cover.

The flag will stay down. It will remain down. The first shot in anger

is gathereded in by Tom Heaton. Henry not noted for his scoring,

that is for sure, but he had reasonable contact on that.

It's a dreadful ball across his own area. Green with the challenge. The

referee waves play on. Henry with the most bizarre ball across the

face of his own-goal. Suddenly, almost gifted Burnley a chance. Mitt

Queens Park Rangers have escaped for the moment. -- Queens Park Rangers

have escaped for the moment. The referee waves play on. Here's

Ings. Free-kick to Burnley. Innocence is protested by Joey

Barton. Not for the first time in his career.

Trippier has placed the ball down. He is preparing to hit it. He does.

It's not held by Rob Green. Tremendous power, not much of a

run-up in all honesty. Green couldn't hold it. Hill put it over

his own crossbar. Barton hits it, he is not far off

target. Good power. Not quite the accuracy. Tom Heaton threw himself

at it, just to make sure. I think it was always going wide.

Vokes, he's done well, Vokes, doesn't quite come down for him. It

almost came down more Marney. -- for Marney. Up towards Ings. Good

football from Burnley. Fantastic goal. Absolute beauty. Vokes and

Ings have struck again. Fabulous goal. Marney wins the ball

from Henry. Look at the Ings/Vokes partnership, it's magnificent. It's

1-0, Burnley. It should be a Burnley throw. It

seemed to come off Hoilett last. The assistant gives it to QPR.

There was an object thrown towards Joey Barton. I think it actually

struck him, in hindsight. The assistant and the referee have been

made aware of it. Trippier says it hit his shoulder.

The referee says it's a handball. Barton's delivery. It's above

Heaton. It's over the bar. I think it was Dunne who poked it over. It

was Dunne, I'm sure, who got the final touch.

Ings who threw himself at it, but couldn't quite stretch out. He's in

fabulous form. You would have backed him getting on the end of that.

Ings, Vokes, Vokes and Ings together again. Here is Ings. Back towards

Vokes, it was just cut out... Is that a foul? It was. Penalty. Barton

turns away in disgust. The referee has pointed to the spot for the foul

on Ings. This could be the moment that Burnley are confirmed as

winners. 2-0, dump the league leaders will

climb further away. Seven wins in a row for Burnley. Ings with the

penalty. Green sent the wrong way. We have been speaking about the

level of our performance pre-season into the season They keep delivering

there is good maintenance level of the energy and physicality. The

first goal of Danny Ings is an outstanding goal. Long may that

continue. Difficult league. It's a long, hard season, no easy rides. We

knew we going to be in for a difficult game coming here. We know

that they work extremely hard. They did exactly that today. We need to

be able to play through that pressure, which today we weren't

able to do. The strikers as usual get a lot of the plaudits, rightly

so, there is a team behind that. There is not just the team behind,

that there is a staff team behind the team you see, the subs and

squad, everyone is playing their part. I made it clear we value

everything we do and everyone we work with. It doesn't guarantee you

everything. It guarantees you have everyone focussed on the job. It was

an excellent performance from Burnley. Their own blip was their

mascot being sent off after offering the linesman a pair of glasses. They

passed that with flying colours? They certainly did. They were up for

it from the start of the game. They set the tone. QPR tried to control

the game in possession of the ball. They couldn't move it quick enough.

Burnley made them play sideways. The front two work hard without the

ball. They got ahead of QPR and deserved the thr points. Time and

time again he has a cohesion theres amongst his players. That was

perfectly seen in the first goal, wasn't it? Cohesion and work effort.

They win the ball high up the pitch, Vokes and Ings. Vokes gets the ball.

Vokes turns away from him. They have this telepathic relationship. Vokes

knows he will make that run, doesn't have to look. A lovely first touch

and finished by Ings to get it out of his feet and pull it past the

advancing Green. You always felt confident they would win the game.

Queens Park Rangers best chance came in the shape of Dunne in front of

the goal. Burnley wrapped up the game with a penalty. Ings managed to

nick it through the two defenders. He leaves his leg out there, a

little bit harsh. You see if from another angle I think the referee

got it spot on. Yes, I think Ings goes down and make as meal of it.

Joey gives him the option of going down. The referee gets it right.

Ings steps up and puts it away with this real confidence. That was the

three points wrapped up. What will please Burnley fans more than

anything, when you look at the sums of money spent on both sets of

teams, theirs doesn't really compare compared to Rangers, does it? It

doesn't compare. Harry had to do a difficult job in terms of remoulding

that squad even though that money is spent. There has been no expectation

on Burnley. The players have been able to grow and grow with lack of

expectation. Today, when we thought they might just crack, they didn't.

They went from strength to strength. First set back for Harry Redknapp's

Rangers, you expect them to bounce back pretty soon.

More from the Championship now. Leicester got back to winning ways

last week at home to Huddersfield. Next up for Nigel Pearson's side,

Bournemouth. Nugent's eighth of the season was

skillfully tapped away. That finished would be bettered before

the break by one of his opponents. Space opened up for Mark Hugh Pugh.

The he nicked a leveller at Forest last week. Another memorable East

Midlands moment for Pugh who maintained the Cherries record of

scoring in every match this season. All square at the break. It looked

too easy for Chris Wood to remove the midfield from the equation with

a determined run and touch which set Jamie Vardy on his way. Neatly done

by Vardy, who matched his league tally for the whole of last season.

His fourth goal of the campaign was followed two inms later by the foul

that sealed Bournemouth's fate. Stepping into Drinkwater's path

earned Ward his second caution of the afternoon. Against 10-men

Leicester saw the match out with no undo you drama. We knew it would be

a tough game. They are a decent side. They show a lot of discipline

in terms of how they set themselves up. They are dangerous as well. I'm

really pleased with the three points today.

having slipped to the foot of the table in midweek, Yeovil were not

going to trouble and unbeaten side. Things might have unravelled, but

with 15 minutes gone, there was a penalty to Forest and a perfect

opportunity to burst Yeovil's bubble. But Wayne Hennessey twice

denied Cox and it was a turning point in the match as Yeovil began

to sense it might just be their day. It was certainly Edward Upson's.

With one in the bank already, he was able to go for another one even

further out. He got three goals in as many minutes. The visitors were

briefly back in buying Nathaniel Chalobah. But 60 seconds later

Yeovil restored the 2-goal cushion, Byron Webster's header just about

crossed the line. Forrest improved in the second half. But they could

not beat Hennessey. It is a morale boosting win for Yeovil, their first

since the first week of the season. They are good enough to compete at

this level. Unfortunately, we did not have a few things go right for

us on different occasions. But we had a great result last week against

Brighton and that was a great game. Now we have picked up a fantastic

three points. I was asked about the championship and so-called

favourites and big clubs and small clubs and easy three points and

difficult three points. There is no such thing. When you lose or draw,

Rovers' manager would not be striking hands with Paul Ince whilst

he was serving his ban. But he did keep a BDI on Thomas Ince, and he

got his sixth goal of the season after only 13 minutes. But Rovers

were level before the home side could take advantage. Jack Robinson

found himself in the way and handling a shot in the area. Who

else claimed his 10th goal of the season with a penalty of his own?

The goal of the day came next against the run of play. Dan Gosling

let fly for his first Blackpool goal and the perfect half-time tonic. Or

maybe they would prefer a good role. That is how it stayed after the

restart until it got nasty late on. Campbell went in heavily on the

goalkeeper. That upset Darren MacKenzie, but not half as much as

Robinson. When the referee eventually re-established order,

Campbell got his marching orders first whilst still arguing his case,

and then Robinson followed soon after. But that was not the end of

the drama. Tom Cairnie's free kick glided off the head of Steve Davies

and Rovers had rescued an unlikely point. We had control of the game at

that point and we were disappointed to lose a goal in the manic that we

did. Massive relief tonight for Yeovil

and their first win in 12 and it was against a very good side. There is a

bit of belief they can compete at this level. Gary has felt during the

season that things have gone against him. They had a bit of good fortune,

but I was impressed with the way they went at Nottingham Forest.

Edward Upson had a bit of luck with the deflection, but he took the shot

on. It is a lovely strike from distance. It gave the keeper no

chance. They have always had that attitude towards games. It has not

quite gone for them, but you feel now it might have turned the corner.

And there is real togetherness by the players. You could see that

camaraderie. When the players went to congratulate him. Edward Upson

will get the plaudits, but they know that the goalkeeper was vitally

important in getting those three points. The owners have cut back the

spending available to Nigel Pearson. That has almost worked in

his favour. It has. It is epitomised by the keeper. He came to the club

from Fleetwood. People expect him to hit the ground running and he has

taken his time to do that. But the finances have helped him to settle.

There is less pressure. They have got a good spirit about the club and

the players are tightly knit. Saturday's fixture list got off to a

tempestuous dark with the South Yorkshire derby with two sides

struggling at the wrong end of the table. David Flitcroft named an

unchanged Barnsley side, with David Jones making two changes. Dan

O'Hagan was watching this. That was a good chance. Not taken by

Roger Johnson. That was the most delicious cross. As he lands he may

have hit the stanchion behind the goal and damaged his shoulder.

The second chance and that time he buried it. That was the rehearsal

followed by the starring role. A fabulous finish.

He had to go on himself, there were no other options. Into the side of

the Barnsley goal. He could be an inspired signing this

season by David Flitcroft. A great run by David Perkins. They

have the lead that they deserve, and Perkins almost makes it too.

It is the goalkeeper's first real save all afternoon. The deflection

made his job that much tougher. This is a good contest. And Matty

Fryatt! That may be a massive goal for Matty Fryatt and Sheffield

Wednesday. He was onside. With a craftsman's touch. A brilliant

finish. It is one all in South Yorkshire. Some fantastic finishing

today. Over the crossbar by Matty Fryatt.

But the first save was sensational. From six yards, point-blank. What a

save. Marcus Pedersen was a whisper away.

The first half performance was outstanding, the quality was

excellent. Chris O'Grady was not playable at times. They had a lot of

energy. Putting the big guy on changed the dimension of the game.

We had to score a second goal. We had a perfectly good goal last week

which was disallowed and of side and we had a clear-cut penalty today. He

punched it. The referee did not see it, so we had to move on.

We have a lot of sympathy about that handball. It was not a handball, it

was his fist. From this angle he goes with his fist. It was very

quick. But he looks totally guilty as well. From behind the goal in

slow motion you see that is a definite penalty. No wonder they are

upset. They have had eight draws and they are at the bottom of the table

and you need those decisions to go for you. In terms of an overview of

the game, they dominated one half each. The score was about right.

Sheffield Wednesday did try and pass it at the back and Barnsley got on

top of them. But in the second half it was a different dimension. The

Sheffield Wednesday fans were not happy, but when he came on, there

was an extra dimension. The Marcus Pedersen goal was fantastic. Whilst

he is thinking about what could have happened, the ball came back to him

and he collected it and had a terrific touch. He had his hand on

his head worried about the first touch. It was a wonderful goal. It

gave the keeper no time. But this was just as good a finish. Barnsley

came out and they were not marking. We know Matty Fryatt is a

goal-scorer without even thinking about it. He looks back to his

sharpest. Our last look at the championship starts with a game that

took place on Friday night as Middlesbrough took to the pitch for

the first time since Tony Mowbray's departure. There were six changes.

A new start for Mark Venus, he has made no secret of his desire to

manage, he has been ten years Assistant to Tony Mowbray. Now, he

gets the chance to be in charge at Middlesbrough. He finishes in some

style! It is his fifth goal of the season. Mark Venus's rain is off to

a perfect start. Played onside. Plenty to do still. But doesn't he

do it well. It was swept in by Gibson. His and

Middlesbrough's second of the night. A very satisfactory first half for

the caretaker manager. That surely is victory for Mark

Venus in his first match as caretaker manager. They were

virtually queueing up. Off the post. Doncaster's best

effort of the night so far. A goal on his debut. You cannot get

much better. Look at the run, nobody goes with him. He can reach the ball

first and took it into an unguarded net. A very happy ending to what has

been a turbulent week. I am pleased for everybody,

everybody worked so hard for me. I got unbelievable support, it gives

me great strength. We will move on together. It is the first time I

have seen us play with a lack of desire and work ethic. I will not

accept that. If they give me everything, we accept that. But what

I saw tonight has riled me. Fresh from their biggest win of the

season so far, Redding were quickly in front. They looked to build on

the 4-1 thumping of Doncaster. The finish was a collectors item. A

miss from inside the six yard box. These disappointments can prove

costly, and the travelling fans were soon dancing with delight, but not

for long. He had strayed offside. They felt hard done by, but they

lost one of the number with five minutes to go. This lunch was

unwise, and the home side seemed to be all but home and dry. As the game

moved into stoppage time, Steve Morrison sent Scott McDonald clear.

The goalkeeper came second in the race. Liam Trotter had the

responsibility of rescuing a draw. Just like QPR, they found out that

Millwall do not give up. We took the game to them, they are a

good team with good individuals, off the back of a 4-1 victory, but on

chances and possession, we work with the offer at least a point. We put

ourselves in the position to win the game. A great bit of play, the

shotguns of the post. It might have been different if it had gone into

the back of the net. Steve McClaren was hoping for a

third victory in three games. Birmingham denied Derby victory with

a public display. They were denied the opener. At the

other end, Birmingham came close to their first away goal since August.

Lee Clark's side have been wretched on the road this season. They fell

behind. Jamie Ward grabbed his third goal in two matches. Derby County

let the visitors off the hook. Having sprung a defective offside

trap, Lee Novak equalised with his first touch of the ball, halting

Birmingham's run of five straight defeats away from home.

To come here, they are playing with confidence, we are delighted. They

are smarting from last week, we knew it would be difficult, they made it

hard, they played compact, plenty of players behind the ball, set plays

were always going to be a problem. But we had enough opportunities and

chances to win the game. Expect goals when these rivals meet.

The away fans were celebrating. Matt Smith. Their smiles did not last

long, another goal from a corner, this one a sweet strike from Danny

Ward, within eight minutes. From 1-0 21-2, the United were down, and own

goal from Tom Lees. Back came Leeds United, Dexter Blackstock had not

even touched the ball, but he met the free kick for what could be the

first of many such headers. Still, Huddersfield were not finished.

Jonathan Stead, his first goal in his second spell. Huddersfield go

above Leeds United into ninth place. Brilliant, the end of story. We

started the game really well, they scored from nothing, which is

disappointing. I am dreadfully disappointed that we have not got a

result, because we should have done. Still no home comforts for Bolton

Wanderers, there wait for a home victory continues. Ipswich carved

out a neatly created chance. They brought the best out of the

goalkeeper. The switch goalkeeper was then forced into action. Bolton

aimed to mark Dougie Freedman's one-year anniversary in charge with

something to celebrate. They had cause to cheer when Medo stepped

up, but they had only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last

19 matches, and they failed to manage a shot at a game, the lead

lasting just eight minutes. David McGoldrick found a way through.

We have been away from home and played well away with nothing, but

today, we have not played particularly well, but we have taken

a point. We were well organised, dog-eared, determined, but we would

expect a clean sheet. You have been linked with the island job, anything

to say? No! Not committing himself. Let's talk

about Middlesbrough, your reaction when you heard Tony Mowbray was no

longer at the club? Disappointed for him, he knows his position was

becoming difficult, as the results were not there. He has always been a

hero there, but the job did not go as well as he would have wanted.

Mark Venus putting the perfect application.

He promised revolution, not evolution. Yes, it was one of

Tony's signings who came to the fore. But Mark went with two wide

players. You do not see him scoring headers. It was good to see him

playing with that sort of relish. But they are inconsistent, that was

the problem with Tony. Mark has got to keep the consistency. As for

Huddersfield, we saw a good victory over Leeds United, a great result

for Jonathan Stead. They are laying down good foundations, dated teams

are top of their respectively. Building for the future. It does not

matter about the youth teams, it matters whether the players are

getting into the first team. The player making his full debut shows

the belief that Mark Robins has, also, Jonathan Stead, who came

through that system, they need something for -- to look up to, and

I am pleased to see him going back and getting the winner. The young

players can look up to him. A couple of the academy players have signed

for five years. League One, despite team beaten by Coventry in midweek,

Leyton Orient remained top. The visitors were rather rum. --

Rotherham United. Their promotion rivals would view

this with interest. But Kevin Lisbie's return was a boost. He took

his league total for the season into double figures. In the middle of

last week, Rotherham United were just three points adrift, but they

have only had one victory in seven. Leyton Orient have rediscovered

their winning touch. It would have been a disaster if we

had lost our belief and hope, but we were never going to do that. We had

to believe and fight for what we believe in and get a result today.

We bounced back, that was fantastic. This looked no contest on paper. If

only the visitors had taken their chances. The home defence closed

ranks. Colchester served notice of what might be possible, the longer

the game stayed goalless. Peterborough realised they had a let

off. The key incident happened early in the second half, Lee Tomlin

clashed. The referee allowed play to continue, then consulted his

assistant, before deciding he had only one option. Lee Tomlin could

not believe it. He showed it, forcibly. With a mouthful for

officials, for some full-scale restraint from Darren Ferguson. It

got worse for the ten men soon after, Macauley Bonne's first ever

Colchester goal, on his 18th birthday. Colchester's first victory

since August. It was a foul, a collision, it is a

decision you do not normally see from a linesman that far away. We

were heroic in our performance, and in the way we played, and we could

have won by more in the end. With just one point from their last

three league games, Radford needed a fast start. Raffaele De Vita got his

reward to put them in front. Wolverhampton's on loan wide man

James Henry turned the game around. He got the equaliser. Then, he

provided the cross for Richard Stearman to glance home the winner.

A fifth consecutive away victory for Wolverhampton, and their best ever

start to a league campaign. We had to battle in the second half, but it

was a full house and they were cheering every throw in and every

tackle and it drove their side right through. To win under those

circumstances is a fantastic result. There were five changes to a county

side back on home turf after two defeats on the road. Just two league

wins explains county's predicament. In contrast Preston rounded off a

busy and productive week. Preston Stainforth whilst county slipped to

the foot of the table. Coventry's remarkable upward progress

continues. If it was not for their ten point deduction, they would be

forth. They will surely be happy with mid-table for now. Walsall lose

their play-off berth with Coventry just five points outside the top

six. It has been a really productive last eight games for us, beating the

leaders on Tuesday night and coming here to a difficult away game and

winning again. The players deserve so much credit. Well done to

Coventry because if you took away the points deduction they would be

forth. He has only got the academy players

at hand. I think it has been a very good season as well. Putting

everything aside, they would be in fourth place. Steve has signed a

long-term contract which shows commitment and eat is also showing

commitment to the players. Colchester United turned over

Peterboro ending Peterboro's unbeaten away run. What a perfect

80th birthday present for Macauley Bonne. Only on the pitch for seven

minutes and he got the winner. They are prepared to use the academy

players, and that is what a club like Colchester have to do. If they

are to compete, they have got to develop from within. They cannot

compete in the transfer market, they are doing it in the right way. After

turning over Bradford at Valley Parade, Wolves moved up to second.

James has got great ability. Not only in movement, but also from dead

ball situations as well. Kenny has got real belief in him and he has

taken him to Wolves. I do not think it will be long before they are

going up. Staying with League 1 Bradford moved to within touching

distance of the play-off places on Tuesday after scoring two late goals

to beat bottom side Bristol city. It was another step towards banishing

the memory of last season's disappointments. We take up the

story as Shrews Berry arrived in West London. As if a seventh foray

into the play-offs without success was not traumatic enough, Brentford

fans cried into their beach towels this summer knowing that but for

this crossbar in the end of last season could have been very

different. What a nervous moment this is for Trotter. I should have

taken it. He should have passed it on to me. But hopefully we can make

amends. There is a right old scramble in the six yard box. And it

is cleared away. We turned away from the game head in hands. And he can

win promotion. Coventry put it into the empty net. Up and down. They are

promoted. Have you seen it again? Yes, absolutely. I do not think I

have ever seen anybody looked as crestfallen as you did that day. It

is difficult to put into words. I am speechless. That is life. Life is

about ups and downs and you have to manage the highs and the downs. We

overcame that and the club has a great spirit. It was a close shave

and it makes him even more competitive and determined to

succeed. This club has not been in a championship for a long time, but in

football not everything goes according to plan. Sometimes you

have to come from a rocky spell. We have won two games on the trot and

we have got a lot of players back from injuries and account is full of

optimism and we believe we have what it takes to challenge for promotion

and I am sure our supporters will see it the same way. Brentford will

be extra keen to avoid any play-off agonies and they are coming to form.

Marcello Trotta was involved in the build-up. He continued his run and

was perfectly placed to finish. That set the tone for much of the first

half and the match. Brentford created no less than 25 chapters

over all, but could not take them. Dashed 25 chances. The visitors'

attempt on goal were rare, just for all game. Brentford are now back in

the top five. What a contrast to six months ago.

The winners saluting the fans at that end where you had that horrible

experience. Today was a great feeling. After that date it is good

to score and get a win today. It is important to get two wins in a row

and hopefully more goals will come. The signs are good. We have to keep

our feet on the ground, but we needed that sort of week. Our

confidence is building and building. I believe we are still not at our

top level where we were last year, but we are getting closer and

closer. Everybody can be proud of themselves and can relax for an

extra day. Today's game at Brentford was pay for what you want,

especially as the fans are concerned. How big is the season?

The Brentford fans now expect Brentford to be challenging. They do

not want to go through that situation again. But there are some

big hitters in that division. He is up against some very strong clubs,

but you can see they are up for the challenge. Can this be a piece of

canny man management bringing in Marcello Trotta JENSON BUTTON: He

brings him back again almost to make amends. He is there until January. I

do not think he is the to make amends, I think he is there to get

points. You have got to credit Marcello Trotta as well. They did

not make it through the play-off final, but he put that to bed last

season and Brentford fans are very forgiving. They have forgiven me for

managing them! He has brought him in there because he wants him to do a

job. Our last look starts with Sheffield United two unveiled Nigel

Clough as their new manager, barely four weeks after his surprise

departure from Derby. His first assignment was a home game to

struggling crew. He stressed the importance of young

players coming through and inside half an hour the six local lad

stooped low for the opener and he hardly had to get off the ground to

get the second. The lowest scorers in League 1 before kick made it

three to one on the hour. Ryan Flynn scored his first Sheffield United

goal for over ten months. Max Clayton got a late consolation goal.

Sheffield United are out of the bottom four and a splendid start for

the new manager. What we have seen in the first couple of days is that

they are a very honest bunch. There are lots of things to improve on.

Inherently it is an honest group of players. Oldham boss Lee Johnson

reckons Carl Winchester will be recording the show to have a

permanent record of the strike which gave the Latics a first-half lead.

He had only scored one other senior goal and that was two and a half

years ago. Swindon were attempting to avoid back-to-back defeats. James

Tarkowski did enough to deny the goalkeeper. The visitors eventually

drew level. The contest was back in the balance, but the home side came

up with the matchwinner. It came from Danny Philliskirk. It lifted

his club three places in the league. Mark Cooper felt Swindon deserved

something from the game. In the end it could have been more comfortable

for Oldham, but they squandered too late chances. Tranmere's Ryan Lowe

played for MK Dons last season, but Sean Williams seemed to think he was

still a team-mate. Reality kicks in before half-time as the match was

moved back to square one. Tranmere learned nothing from the equaliser.

Four minutes after the break nobody got a foot in to prevent Jason

Banton from letting fly. But Carl Robinson's men were hardly in a rich

vein of form themselves. With both defences creaking, that seemed

unlikely to be end of the scoring. The Dons were left open to the

sucker punch. Finally they claimed their first home win of the season.

It is only goal difference now keeping Rovers in the bottom four.

Steve in which started as they've finished, with a goal. This one was

the first one for Peter Hartley for the club. But the afternoon could

have turned out very differently if they had taken this chance. That

came back to haunt the visitors who had enjoyed more possession in the

game, but then allowed Michael Doughty to clinch back-to-back

league wins in stoppage time. Only the second time this season Crawley

have failed to score and it cost them. Jones's top scorer Danny

Kedwell was a doubt with a tight hamstring ahead of the trip to Port

Vale, but it took him just 12 minutes to prove his fitness. He got

the Kent side off to a terrific start. But Port Vale, who had lost

their two previous matches without scoring, shifted up a gear in the

second half and Chris Robertson pounced at the far post to equalise.

And it was top scorer, Tom Pope, left on the bench for the second

consecutive game who came on to grab the winner. He put over 30 league

goals away last season. But that had not put Chillingham away. There was

one final chance. For a league defeat in the last five away games

for Chillingham. Carlisle's recent improvement continued with a midweek

win at Milton Keynes. So what when Sean O'Hanlon powered it past the

goalkeeper, it looked like city were in for a long afternoon. Sean

O'Driscoll needed a change of fortune. Emanuel, supplied it. One

minute later he was celebrating another. The 22-year-old then

delivered a glorious past which Scott Wagstaff controlled and then

smashed past Mark Gillespie. He could celebrate in front of the fans

who had made the 550 mile round trip. After conceding so many late

goals, Liam Noble raised the prospect of a Cumbrian comeback,

cutting the deficit to one. But the pressure has used on a O'Driscoll

and his squad. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas completed the first hat-trick of his

career. Bristol city are off the bottom of the league. Well done to

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. Carlisle had been in form. That helps lift some

of the pressure that Sean O'Driscoll has been under. All he has been

hearing, they have not won since March. That has been put to bed now.

It will relieve the pressure. They have come so close to getting the

result, I am pleased they have held their nerve, because it was

uncomfortable. His job was being talked about as being untenable.

Another side that has been struggling, Sheffield United, Nigel

Clough hitting off to a good start, 3-1 against Crewe Alexandra. Why

would the players not playing like this before? Because there is so

much pressure on the club. It was a difficult job for David, his first

job, but the new manager goes, and the players feel, we have got to

start performing. Then, lift their performances. Nigel is excellent, he

will be given the time to do the job, and they will be realistic

about their aims. Nigel has a ways being realistic. To continue the

theme of teams who have struggled and got a result, Oldham Athletic. A

magical goal from Carl Winchester. He rifles it into the roof of the

net. It had to be done! A makeshift right back. He will have to keep

playing their! Reminiscent of the Crewe Alexandra goal a couple of

seasons ago. Tranmere Rovers as well, James Rowe ending a fabulous

team move. They have not had the greatest home record, so this was a

weight off their shoulders, the first home victory of the season. It

lifts the pressure off Ronnie Moore. League Two had new leaders going

into the fixtures, Rochdale were at the top. Next up for Keith Hill's

side, a game at Dagenham Redbridge.

Rochdale's leadership has been short lived. Despite seven victories out

of eight, they are the latest side to discover the perils of a trip to

Dagenham. Rhys Murphy after nine minutes. Dagenham demonstrated how

difficult they are to beat. Wayne Burnett's side doubled their lead

after the break, Rochdale waited for an oft sidelight, and Medy Elito

lobbed in a spectacular first league goal of the season. Rochdale hopes

were raised when they pulled one back a couple of minutes later, Gary

Dicker was able to find the narrowest of gaps. But in injury

time, Medy Elito made sure of Dagenham's fourth victory in six

league matches. Only three points behind the leaders, not bad for a

side who many tipped for the drop. A fantastic result, three well taken

goals. Rochdale are the best team we have played in the league, they

moved the ball very well, very fluent, and it was a difficult game

for us. The first goal was against the run of play, but the second

goal, if the centre forward makes the run in behind, surely he is

involved in the state of the game. He is offside. It baffles me,

offside, because he is offside. Rhys Murphy said he was not involved. The

police should have arrested him. What is that? It is kid ology.

They have both been out of form of late, and it showed. This was one of

the highlights. The goalkeeper had to be alert to keep out Roberts,

Eoin Doyle not able to make the most of the rebound. He was dismissed

late on, his second booking in the space of 20 minutes. A drab game was

almost lit up by this, but the Pirates were denied a first league

victory since August. Bristol Rovers were excellent, they

worked hard, that is the most pleasing thing. We thought we could

have won in the second half, but we were not good enough on the day. We

have responded positively. I am not suggesting we should have won, but

my boys have stood up very well. Both managers looked confident and

relaxed ahead of kick-off at Saint James Park, but this was a tense

affair. A first half of few chances. Burton were seeking a third

consecutive league victory. Phillips had the goalkeeper scrambling to

keep out his curler after the break. Both goalkeepers were in fine form.

You sensed one goal either way would be enough, and it arrived very late

on, from the head of Phil Edwards. Burton up to sixth place, level on

points with Exeter. With all three sides have them

dropping points, Oxford were well positioned to take over at the top,

but only if they could end their goal drought. James Constable scored

after six minutes. Wimbledon did their best work after the break.

Oxford kept the door firmly shut. With Wimbledon pushing for an

equaliser, Oxford picked them off on the break. No doubt about the

reprisal from the Wimbledon man. Oxford's first victory in three

games, they climb to the top of the table.

It is a tight league, we will enjoy the victory, and back to work on

Monday. It will be a difficult game against Bristol Rovers. It is tough

when you have to chase games. We were 1-0 down, eight games in a row.

Fleetwood continue to be better on the road this season. Gareth Evans

with the opener. York City fans would have feared the worst, they

have not picked up a point after falling behind this season. Gareth

Evans could have extended the advantage. But Fleetwood had reading

space midway through the second half, Jamille Matt with his eighth

goal of the season. We played some very good football,

we passed it well, made the right decisions at the right time, and we

scored when we were on top. Disappointed with the defeat, but

the commitment and effort were first class.

It was Derby time in the north-west, the visitors made the

breakthrough. The referee awarded the spot kick. Straight down the

middle for Danny Webber. After their first league victory in midweek,

Accrington had more can's unbeaten home record in their sights. They

were level after the break. Jack Sampson at the simplest of finishes.

It looked as though the spoils would be shared, but deep in added time,

Peter Murphy pounced. Two victories in a week for James Beattie's side.

This superb save set the tone for another frustrating game for

Mansfield. They had the better chances but could not get a goal.

Plymouth also firing blanks. A combination denying a path to goal.

Mansfield saw more of the ball, but had to endure another game without a

goal. To make matters worse, they were not even able to hold on for a

third straight older straw. In injury time, Neal Trotman's first

goal in three and a half years and Plymouth a first victory in nine

matches. Only Rochdale have one more home

games than Newport County, they were dominant against Southend United.

Conor Washington put them ahead. He was still working as a postman just

over a year ago, and he delivered. Bentley found himself in the wrong

postcode. Ben Coke drew Southend level, four minutes before the

break. But Newport went ahead again in first half stoppage time. Andrew

Hughes squeezed the ball in. Southend arrived with the best

defensive record in the division, only 11 goals conceded before this,

but they were breached for the third time, Ismail Yakubu steered home

Conor Washington's cross. It could have been even better for Justin

Edinburgh, who was taking on the club he started his playing career

at for the first time. Conor Washington inches away from his

second of the game after showing off some of the skills that have helped

to earn him a new contract. It is now three victories on the bounce at

home for Newport, there were so comfortable, they did not even need

a goal from their top scorer, though he was only denied by a brilliant

block. They move into the play-off places after a performance that had

their manager purring. From start to finish, we were

excellent. We thoroughly deserved three points.

Six away defeats in a row for Bury, and it did not look good when

Anthony Stewart but Wycombe Wanderers ahead. He had a superb

chance to double the lead. His shots crumbled off the line. The miss was

to prove a major turning point. After sparkling work out wide, it

was Tom Soares who strolled into equalise. Bury's first goal in their

last five games. After Matt Bloomfield picked up a straight red

card for a fierce and clumsy challenge, Bury grabbed the winner.

William Edjenguele a, and Bury had their first league victory since the

end of August. No doubt about the Man of the Match

at Glanford Park. A series of fine saves denied Hoddle pulled their

sixth straight victory. They had the better chances, but could not get

past Scunthorpe's inspired goalkeeper. He was beaten, but they

were rescued by the woodwork. Agonisingly close. The game turned

on a mistake. The young defender has been outstanding for Hartlepool, but

this allowed Sam Winnall to score his sixth goal of the season, which

was enough for Scunthorpe United's this's fifth victory in seven.

Any late arriving Torquay fans would have missed their best moment of the

afternoon. 17 seconds on the clock. Jordan Chapell guided home at the

fastest ever goal in the club's history. Torquay had only picked up

one point from the last 15 on offer, but they could have been 2-0 up on

half-time. He finished did not match up to the approach work. Portsmouth

had the wind in their sales in the second half. A good save. Before

Torquay's resistance was broken nine minutes before time, Ryan Bird got

just about enough contact. Torquay denied only their second home

victory of the season. Luke Norris allowed them to go to the brake on

level terms. That is three goals in as many games. A third successive

draw, although big could have been worse.

Let's talk about Dagenham Redbridge. What a turnaround for

Wayne Burnett. At the start he lost three out of 14, but they are

possible dark horses. It is interesting to see Rhys Murphy, an

ex-Arsenal player. They have gone for equality. It was always a

difficult job for Wayne Burnett to take over, but he has had it --

added a little bit more class and style into the game. The players are

enjoying playing in his company. There was a late winner from Peter

Murphy for Accrington Stanley. It is a pivotal point in their season.

They are just a bit away from getting the result. That win against

Bristol Rovers was an excellent home win. They have got a good record

against Morecambe as well. Now people are showing belief in his

players. Well done to bury for notable wins on Saturday. Let's look

at the tables before we sign off. That is it from us. But we are back

on Wednesday night with all the drama from the fourth round of the

league cup. You can have your say on today's games on Twitter. The best

will be put on the BBC sport website. The clocks go back

shortly, so enjoy that extra hour. Hope to see you on Wednesday. Good

night.