:00:40. > :00:52.Good evening. Hope you had a great Christmas. Coming up, the final
:00:53. > :00:59.round of games in the sky league. And a half term report from the
:01:00. > :01:05.former teacher who happens to be the manager of Leyton Orient. Russell
:01:06. > :01:15.Slade. Here is what is in store this evening.
:01:16. > :01:22.A draw against Ipswich and a pretty encouraging start for the new
:01:23. > :01:30.Watford manager. They go head to head with QPR. Nottingham Forest
:01:31. > :01:41.inflict did a Boxing Day defeat on Harry Redknapp's hooks. We also
:01:42. > :01:47.feature leads United. And the undisputed Match of the Day in
:01:48. > :01:59.league one. A tasty head to head against leaders Leyton Orient. And
:02:00. > :02:12.another day. Tax killer goals. All 90 for you to enjoy. Some well worth
:02:13. > :02:19.staying up for. We start with Leicester City who returned to the
:02:20. > :02:30.top. They went in search of a third straight win at home to Bolton.
:02:31. > :02:34.Bolton had a score to settle but the recent form of the leaders suggested
:02:35. > :02:40.this would be a testing afternoon. The home side were quick to get off
:02:41. > :02:50.to a good start. This came just five minutes in. But Bolton were quick to
:02:51. > :02:58.hit back. This cross met by Andre moderates who levelled the scores
:02:59. > :03:04.with a quarter of an hour gone. Jermaine Beckford cut inside before
:03:05. > :03:19.finding the bottom corner. The travelling fans felt sick with this
:03:20. > :03:22.next telling blow. A terrific spectacle for the supporters but not
:03:23. > :03:30.for the managers who were witnessing some dire defending. Bolton headed
:03:31. > :03:40.for the brake on top. But Leicester can be irresistible these days as an
:03:41. > :03:47.attacking force. After the break the free kick had the woodwork shaking.
:03:48. > :03:53.After impressive wins over QPR and Reading they seemed intent on
:03:54. > :04:00.sending Bolton the same way. There was just one man for the job. Nine
:04:01. > :04:11.of Dave Nugent's 12 goals this season came from the spot. But he
:04:12. > :04:17.did not get to add to that tally. The finish was explosive. And this
:04:18. > :04:28.time they would be no reply from the Lancashire club. 5-3 to the table
:04:29. > :04:33.toppers. Happy New Year? At this rate it just might be. In all
:04:34. > :04:38.honesty I think we have been dominant throughout the game but
:04:39. > :04:42.conceded three goals to a side who were clinical when they had
:04:43. > :04:48.opportunities. We got them on the back foot. The
:04:49. > :04:53.problem we have against Leicester, they are the best team we have
:04:54. > :04:57.played against this year. They attacked us in the second half with
:04:58. > :05:03.great desire and pace. Leicester were top of the tree in
:05:04. > :05:12.the Championship at the turn of the year. What a game. A great game of
:05:13. > :05:18.foot wall. I was not surprised that Leicester came back. They have shown
:05:19. > :05:22.that resilience and that desire. Especially after losing the
:05:23. > :05:29.penalty. They showed great character. So I was not surprised
:05:30. > :05:35.that they came back. But Bolton put on a decent show. It marks a good
:05:36. > :05:41.year for fans. You know Nigel Pearson. He will be playing things
:05:42. > :05:49.down. He never gives away too much but he will not be getting carried
:05:50. > :05:51.away. He is a quiet man but always very organised, his team will know
:05:52. > :06:01.their jobs, know what they are doing. I think there just picking up
:06:02. > :06:05.momentum. Do you think they will get promoted? I think they have a good
:06:06. > :06:16.chance. They are in a great position now. There could be a bit of
:06:17. > :06:22.wheeling and dealing in the window. Steve Walsh is in the market for
:06:23. > :06:26.players. Well it has not been the best Christmas for QPR so far after
:06:27. > :06:31.a couple of defeats. Not the ideal time to meet a Watford side but have
:06:32. > :06:38.looked reinvigorated since the arrival of their new manager. The
:06:39. > :06:42.Championship season is a test of endurance and QPR need to show they
:06:43. > :06:45.have what it takes to go the distance.
:06:46. > :06:52.Watford will be another test of character for them. Both managers
:06:53. > :07:20.have forced -- been forced into changes. Joey Barton returns to take
:07:21. > :07:26.the armband from a one match ban. It will be fascinating to see how
:07:27. > :07:33.some of these players cope with such an arduous campaign. And what Harry
:07:34. > :07:36.Redknapp is able to do during the January transfer window. At the
:07:37. > :07:49.moment it seems they do need another striker. A disappointing finish in
:07:50. > :07:56.the end from the man given the job of leading the QPR side this
:07:57. > :08:09.afternoon. Phillips, gets away with it. It may open up here. Niko
:08:10. > :08:20.Kranjcar unable to do anything. The finish was lacking. Murray waits on
:08:21. > :08:29.the edge of the area. It is deflect it. A routine save in the end.
:08:30. > :08:44.Watford looking dangerous on the break away. Niko Kranjcar may have
:08:45. > :08:50.to go alone. It is a promising run. That is the closest he has come so
:08:51. > :08:56.far. For them the time in the first half finding a great area. It was
:08:57. > :09:02.lovely play from Niko Kranjcar to engineer the opening. His manager
:09:03. > :09:12.applauds the intention. Watford do have it bottled up down the centre.
:09:13. > :09:20.Here is Phillips. Phillips may go alone. It is the story of the first
:09:21. > :09:36.half for QPR. Their players creating the space but not hitting the
:09:37. > :09:44.target. Matt Phillips this time. Good vision from Niko Kranjcar. It
:09:45. > :09:52.spins into the area. The ball scrambled away. Bodies all over the
:09:53. > :10:03.place inside the penalty area. And one of them is the Watford
:10:04. > :10:04.goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia. It was toilet who collided with Manuel
:10:05. > :10:26.Almunia. -- Hoylett. Barton in support. Manuel Almunia
:10:27. > :10:35.does just enough. Phillips almost catching out the Walford goalkeeper.
:10:36. > :10:44.No lack of big names on the Queens Park Rangers bench. Bobby Zamora and
:10:45. > :10:48.Johnson left there today. Niko Kranjcar the centre forward. And
:10:49. > :11:08.that tells you a lot about Harry Redknapp's thinking. Fabbrini! And
:11:09. > :11:17.it is a good save. His first real save in a game of any real
:11:18. > :11:35.importance. That mistake was a real present for Fabbrini. Phillips.
:11:36. > :11:47.Watford have a contender here. Marry again! -- Murray. Just deflect did
:11:48. > :11:57.by Richard Dunne in the end. -- deflected. Barton over the free
:11:58. > :12:05.kick. Every single outfield player back defending for Watford. Barton
:12:06. > :12:11.goes for it but it is turned into the side netting. Gary Barton almost
:12:12. > :12:22.caught them out but George Ford was alert to the danger.
:12:23. > :12:28.For the managers it is pleasing that we had good shape against a very
:12:29. > :12:36.good team. Defensively they did not cause us to many problems. The DNA
:12:37. > :12:42.of the side looked good. The work put in in the quick turnover of
:12:43. > :12:46.games is starting to show. We had a football lesson in the first half.
:12:47. > :12:51.We have got a problem just scoring goals at the moment. We do not
:12:52. > :13:00.really have any fit strikers. Bobby is not fit to play. Andy Johnson is
:13:01. > :13:05.the same. I played Niko Kranjcar and in the first half we played a great
:13:06. > :13:08.game. Not the most riveting 90 minutes we have seen.
:13:09. > :13:14.One shot on target each at the end of the game. But for the new Watford
:13:15. > :13:23.manager, five points is a solid return. And a clean sheet. I sense a
:13:24. > :13:30.cautious approach. I think he needs to find a balance. Zola was all
:13:31. > :13:36.about attack. I think he is going to be different. But it worked today
:13:37. > :13:45.and QPR did play well in the first half. It is like a session, just
:13:46. > :13:50.going from back to front. They did play a good game but you never
:13:51. > :13:55.thought they were going to get any work. w
:13:56. > :14:04.He thought he had said hello to the new Watford manager, noticing he was
:14:05. > :14:09.behind him. He can't be easy for someone coming into the game not
:14:10. > :14:14.being able to speak English. I think Harry had a lot on his mind there.
:14:15. > :14:18.It is not easy. As he says there. It is not easy, in terms of coaching, I
:14:19. > :14:22.am sure on a day-to-day basis he will get his message over, on match
:14:23. > :14:26.days it will be more difficult when he wants to get his point of view
:14:27. > :14:29.over to the players in the heat of the moment. That could be a problem.
:14:30. > :14:35.Briefly n the last four of the last five games they failed to score,
:14:36. > :14:42.QPR. Surely he will be dipping into the transfer market in January. He
:14:43. > :14:46.has to 24 goals 23 goals in 24 games. Only conceded 13 but Harry
:14:47. > :14:52.knows goals win you game, they haven't been able to get hair noses
:14:53. > :14:59.in front, and get the tree points often enough as some should have
:15:00. > :15:04.done. Let us find out how the other promotion contenders got on, Burnley
:15:05. > :15:09.suffered their first defeat in five at Middlesbrough. Could they bounce
:15:10. > :15:14.back to Wigan? Skin head revival at Wigan. Fittingly there were plenty
:15:15. > :15:19.of close shaves. Burchly had the first narrow escape. Their former
:15:20. > :15:25.player Chris McCann came close. Wigan have been revitalised with
:15:26. > :15:30.their new manager, they gave the title chasing Clarets a run for
:15:31. > :15:34.their money. Fortune's cross causing panic in the box.
:15:35. > :15:41.It wasn't long before they were forcing the pace. Vokes brought the
:15:42. > :15:48.best out of has been has been. Soon after, Burnley were a hair's width
:15:49. > :15:52.width away from taking the lead. David Jones close. Wigan had the
:15:53. > :15:56.final chance, courtesy of Nick Powell but he too lacked the
:15:57. > :16:01.necessary cutting-edge. The goalless draw sees both sides
:16:02. > :16:05.look a bit of momentum; disappointing, but nothing worth
:16:06. > :16:10.loosing your hair over When somebody asked me how would be you first four
:16:11. > :16:16.games against the teams, I would have taken two wins and two draws.
:16:17. > :16:20.Is this a woos -- useful point That is a side of highly quality player,
:16:21. > :16:24.the best squall in the division I think, and our timing was probably,
:16:25. > :16:31.I think that is one of the toughest places to come to in the division
:16:32. > :16:34.today. Magic touch, whatever you call it
:16:35. > :16:40.Steve McLaren has it at the moment. After eight minutes his player had
:16:41. > :16:46.the lead as well. Jonny Russell to dau vins, but who else but Chris
:16:47. > :16:51.Martin was in the right place. Last week's penalty miss a distant MEPry.
:16:52. > :16:57.Heading to the break. Craig Bryson will wonder how he didn't score his
:16:58. > :17:02.fifth goal in as many games. But norm I service resumed almost
:17:03. > :17:08.immediately, a Sunday sprint for Wisdom and a thank you for Martin
:17:09. > :17:17.for goal 15 of the season. But the best was still to come, from a
:17:18. > :17:20.former Derby player. See how his former team-mates can't stop him.
:17:21. > :17:23.Then he shoots. Suddenly became a different game and
:17:24. > :17:30.it should have been a different score line. In one final attack,
:17:31. > :17:36.Weiss man's cross found O'Grady but not the happy ending. Barnsley stay
:17:37. > :17:40.bottom. Derby are just off the top. We started putting them under
:17:41. > :17:45.pressure. They showed again, they can be pressed and you can have joy
:17:46. > :17:50.from them. We didn't do it for long enough in the game. I thought we saw
:17:51. > :17:53.the game out very well. Showed resilience at the right time, so
:17:54. > :18:06.performance of football which we want, so resilience and digging in
:18:07. > :18:13.to get the result when we need. You to have to go back to September
:18:14. > :18:18.for the last time Ipswich lost at Portman Road. McCarthy's team
:18:19. > :18:22.survived the scare and took less than an hour to end Bournemouth's
:18:23. > :18:25.resistance. Darrell Murphy connecting with the cross to give
:18:26. > :18:31.them the initiative. They had their keeper to thank for a
:18:32. > :18:37.series of fine saves. He ensured they held on the that lead until
:18:38. > :18:43.Pitman was brought on which paid off. Surman was frustrated in his
:18:44. > :18:46.search for an equaliser but Pitman made the difference, and Bournemouth
:18:47. > :18:53.were level. The afternoon might have got better
:18:54. > :18:58.for them. The effort was disallowed because of a foul by Elphick, and
:18:59. > :19:03.their protests were in in vain. He has not had a serious save to make
:19:04. > :19:07.in the game. We need it to be more clinical with the chance we got
:19:08. > :19:14.today. On another day we could have won that game. Great goal by us, sad
:19:15. > :19:19.we couldn't disappointed we cold keep hold but it happens.
:19:20. > :19:23.It is over a year since Middlesbrough named an unchanged
:19:24. > :19:27.team. The last time they did they claimed a third win on the spin.
:19:28. > :19:32.They were hoping for the same outcome. Gus Poyet was a keen
:19:33. > :19:38.spectator as Boro looked to take a Reading side out of sorts and
:19:39. > :19:51.slipped out of the top six on Boxing Day. Mid grow have showed plenty of
:19:52. > :19:57.Christmas spirit. The Royals were heading the same way. Leadbitter's
:19:58. > :20:00.searing drive had them comfort by half-time.
:20:01. > :20:12.A Reading fight back never looked on the cards, and even less likely when
:20:13. > :20:16.Gorkss went in on o December many. -- the Berkshire side a man light
:20:17. > :20:23.into the second half. By the time he was brought down by
:20:24. > :20:28.Pearce, the damage was done. Ring were heading for a straight defeat
:20:29. > :20:34.as Leadbitter helped himself to a second from the spot to crown a
:20:35. > :20:40.fruitful Christmas period. Big worries for the Royals, they might
:20:41. > :20:43.need emergency surgery. The transfer window opens, as a club we have to
:20:44. > :20:47.identify how we move in the next direction. It is fa fair to say if
:20:48. > :20:52.we continue in the mould we are, we are not going to achieve with sweat
:20:53. > :20:55.out to do. Before the last three games Middlesbrough has won only
:20:56. > :20:59.seven this calendar year and they are ending with three consecutive
:21:00. > :21:04.victories without conceding, that the one thing that has been
:21:05. > :21:09.undermining their efforts. What a turn round. Yes, it it has taken
:21:10. > :21:14.them a few game, now he is breeding a positive attitude, he is getting
:21:15. > :21:17.his message over now, and there will be a philosophy there that he will
:21:18. > :21:20.be wanting to put in lace, he looks like he is getting that over and
:21:21. > :21:25.they are starting to play with confidence. What about Derby? Talk
:21:26. > :21:30.about momentum, they won nine of the last ten, they are in the highest
:21:31. > :21:35.league position for 27 month, and marauding full backs is no longer a
:21:36. > :21:43.rare sight there. They are so positive. I thought when, he was
:21:44. > :21:49.haar er, the enthusiasm Steve has as a coach is reflected in the way they
:21:50. > :21:56.play. There a a tempo. They had good players there, he added to it with a
:21:57. > :21:59.few loan sign, so there is a real positivity about that Derby and they
:22:00. > :22:05.are on the crest of a wave. He needs to keep it going. You know about
:22:06. > :22:09.that because you started the season with eight consecutive wins. We are
:22:10. > :22:14.struggling to get back-to-back wins, so it shows how difficult it is to
:22:15. > :22:17.put positive results together. We got eight, it was an unbelievable
:22:18. > :22:21.start and it has given us a platform. That will have given him a
:22:22. > :22:26.platform. I have to mention Ipswich, now, coming to the end of a year in
:22:27. > :22:29.a play-off position, what a 14 months under Mick McCarthy who took
:22:30. > :22:36.over the club when they were bottom of the pile in the Championship. He
:22:37. > :22:40.took them when they were about to go into relegation. I think Marcus
:22:41. > :22:45.Evans stepped away from investing, Mick has gone in and thought I will
:22:46. > :22:49.get them organised, been pragmatic about things but very well-organised
:22:50. > :22:52.and they have come to a run of form. And Mick will still be pragmatic and
:22:53. > :22:59.still be consistent in his message, and that is what they have needed.
:23:00. > :23:07.They have not got too excited. The players believe. They have yet to
:23:08. > :23:16.unleash Blake. At the City ground only one point and place divided
:23:17. > :23:20.Nottingham Forest and Leeds. Forrest enjoyed a win over QPR earlier in
:23:21. > :23:34.the week. In comes the early free-kick, there
:23:35. > :23:40.is the goal. Nottingham Forest take the lead. It is the makeshift
:23:41. > :23:51.striker Halford again. And he has done the trick again.
:23:52. > :23:56.Leeds called out by the free-kick. Beautiful delivery by that man Reid
:23:57. > :24:01.and Greg Halford gets the better of two Leeds defenders at the back
:24:02. > :24:07.pose. It is the perfect header. Back across goal. Kenny couldn't get to
:24:08. > :24:12.it and first blood to Nottingham Forest.
:24:13. > :24:20.Now Leeds United have to succeed where others have failed. Reid. Just
:24:21. > :24:27.over the cross bar. He had options to his left and right
:24:28. > :24:31.Andy Reid. Reid felt this was a good enough opportunity to go for it
:24:32. > :24:37.himself. Clever ball, Reid. Now there is
:24:38. > :24:44.danger. He has found... Andy Reid at the
:24:45. > :24:57.heart of this move. Majewskis drive. It was just enough.
:24:58. > :25:08.It is getting cold out there. Reid's drive. Against the post.
:25:09. > :25:18.Kenny never moves. A lick of paint away from goal
:25:19. > :25:25.number two. That is a good ball. It is Byram. It
:25:26. > :25:33.is cleared by Lascelles. McCormack. Wouldn't you just know it.
:25:34. > :25:39.His first attempt at goal, and Ross McCormack sends the Yorkshire hoards
:25:40. > :25:46.into derum. And here is Byram. Looking to cross, I think that was a
:25:47. > :25:52.cross rather than a shot. It bounce, of all places, into the path of Ross
:25:53. > :25:56.McCormack. Who was never going to miss that.
:25:57. > :26:04.13 goals in his last 14 games. And his 18th goal of the season.
:26:05. > :26:09.Lock up at one a piece with seven to go. Simon Cox has come on for
:26:10. > :26:14.Nottingham Forest. Jamie Mackie has made way and Forrest have to win
:26:15. > :26:19.this game, with Derbyshire, they might well have done. What a goal,
:26:20. > :26:25.Matt Derbyshire. What a cracker. And there is an argument, a raining
:26:26. > :26:28.argument between Paddy Kenny and his captain. -- raging argument. I hope
:26:29. > :26:33.he is not saying he should have stopped this. Could have had two
:26:34. > :26:38.keepers in there they wouldn't have smelled it, let alone stop it. Bang,
:26:39. > :26:46.what a goal. Leeds were level for less than a minute. Matt Derbyshire,
:26:47. > :26:50.the supersub. It was a hell of a strike. It was a real, amazing
:26:51. > :26:55.strike and it has gone in the top corn, we are disappointed, having
:26:56. > :26:59.said that Forrest played good stuff in the first half and done us on a
:27:00. > :27:04.set play more than anything, so, you know, I know where we are are at. I
:27:05. > :27:09.know where we are at as a club, we will go forward. I have been here,
:27:10. > :27:12.second in January. And having seen no investment, and then missing
:27:13. > :27:16.outcome the end of the season, I know how it feels, to be
:27:17. > :27:19.disappointed in a January window, with the regards to the outcome at
:27:20. > :27:24.the end of the season. And this is what I said to the chairman, through
:27:25. > :27:27.experience, it is important that we do get ourself in the mix, it is
:27:28. > :27:31.very important we do look to strengthen, and if you do that, you
:27:32. > :27:36.can get that acceleration to the end of the season, which is very
:27:37. > :27:42.important. Two seaside clubs going in opposite
:27:43. > :27:50.direction. Brighton were in the ascendancy at Blackpool.
:27:51. > :27:55.It was canned Ron's ram paging run that made it. The Spaniard's finish
:27:56. > :28:00.wasn't bad. A second goal of the season for him. Garcia hailed an
:28:01. > :28:06.outstanding performance from his right back. Adventurous and high on
:28:07. > :28:12.energy. Only Gilks prevented Calderon from getting a second.
:28:13. > :28:15.Blackpool looked weary. Basham had their best opportunity.
:28:16. > :28:20.Brighton closed out the game and looked well placed for another crack
:28:21. > :28:23.at the play-offs. Lua Lua almost added a second adds they collected
:28:24. > :28:28.their first win of the Christmas period. -- as. Blackpool have lost
:28:29. > :28:36.five out of six, their injury list has the got the better of them.
:28:37. > :28:40.Juning by the boo, the Tangerines early season heroics are working
:28:41. > :28:44.against then. We have 32 point, for what we have done, the lads have
:28:45. > :28:48.done miracle, but the thing is, you know, when you look at teams in this
:28:49. > :28:53.leg, they are changing three or four playerers, we haven't done that, it
:28:54. > :29:00.wasn't a case of being sluggish, it was a case of any manager, the if
:29:01. > :29:11.you can play the seam tame for the Christmas season, we have are having
:29:12. > :29:14.to do that. You'll feel's first Christmas in the Championship has
:29:15. > :29:23.been tough. They started with promise in West Yorkshire. Ishmael
:29:24. > :29:29.Miller took his chance. And that was as good as it got. Huddersfield
:29:30. > :29:38.responded in style in what became the Danny Ward show. His next
:29:39. > :29:46.significant contribution came just before half-time. Gary Johnson will
:29:47. > :29:53.wonder what happened to his defence. Huddersfield were just warming up.
:29:54. > :29:59.Minutes later Adam Hamill's corner flashed past for number three. The
:30:00. > :30:04.goalkeeper had just disentangled himself but had to be on his toes to
:30:05. > :30:17.watch this extraordinary effort from Paul Dixon. Even David Beckham was
:30:18. > :30:23.not that ambitious. For Danny Ward it was all about scoring rather than
:30:24. > :30:28.creating. He knew exactly what he wanted to do if he got another
:30:29. > :30:35.chance, and he did just moments later. Huddersfield equalled their
:30:36. > :30:41.best win of the season. Right from the start of the game we set out our
:30:42. > :30:48.stall and had some good goals on the end of that. We have to make sure we
:30:49. > :30:52.take out the shrinking violets from the competitors. The second half of
:30:53. > :30:57.the season is going to be a competitive period of time. So we
:30:58. > :31:05.have to get people that want to keep this club in the division.
:31:06. > :31:11.Birmingham City's last league triumph at Ewood Park was back in
:31:12. > :31:15.1968. They looked like ending that oppressive run but Novak opened the
:31:16. > :31:24.scoring for the Blues inside a quarter of an hour. And did not take
:31:25. > :31:31.long to arid at second. -- to add a second. Simon Eastwood in the home
:31:32. > :31:44.goal powerless to stop Birmingham tightening their grip on
:31:45. > :31:49.proceedings. Rovers gifted their opponents a third. A poor clearance
:31:50. > :31:57.dropped for Chris Burke who helped himself to his first goal since
:31:58. > :32:00.August. No shortage of drama as Rovers staged a second-half
:32:01. > :32:10.comeback. Birmingham vulnerable at the back as Ben Marshall's perfect
:32:11. > :32:21.cross was headed home by roads. -- Rhodes. And he hung on for his 15th
:32:22. > :32:29.goal of the season. It was not enough, as they suffered a rare home
:32:30. > :32:40.defeat. Dan's best efforts could not quite rescue a point.
:32:41. > :32:45.In terms of what we did in the first half, we had to work extremely hard
:32:46. > :32:50.and scored three great goals ourselves.
:32:51. > :32:54.Next year promises to be one of change for both of these clubs.
:32:55. > :32:59.Charlton could have new owners while Sheffield Wednesday could have a new
:33:00. > :33:08.manager. But the man in caretaker charge has not done too badly. The
:33:09. > :33:21.stand-in boss felt his side dominated. The key to survival for
:33:22. > :33:27.Sheffield Wednesday could be keeping hold of Connor Wickham. Injured on
:33:28. > :33:33.Boxing Day, he returned to equalise just shy of the hour. But it looks
:33:34. > :33:49.suspiciously offside. Simon Church was inches away form restoring the
:33:50. > :34:02.lead for the home side. -- from. As far as the table goes, both teams
:34:03. > :34:13.were content. Wickham is clearly offside but whether that would have
:34:14. > :34:16.denied us the win, we do not know. Interim manager Neil Harris had
:34:17. > :34:20.little more than 24 hours to prepare Millwall for this six pointer. Five
:34:21. > :34:26.changes brought about an improved performance. Larry's header cleared
:34:27. > :34:33.off the line as Millwall had the better of the first half. Donny also
:34:34. > :34:40.had their moments. This effort coming back off the woodwork. Soon
:34:41. > :34:50.afterwards David Ford's saved from Mark Duthie. The rot successfully
:34:51. > :34:53.stopped. An encouraging performance from the Lions under coach still
:34:54. > :34:57.learning the ropes. I enjoyed watching the team and some good
:34:58. > :35:02.performances. It is different standing on the
:35:03. > :35:15.sidelines. You are that close to it. But until someone else comes in,
:35:16. > :35:20.that is fine in the meantime. Steve Claridge is interested in the
:35:21. > :35:28.Millwall job. But what a way for Huddersfield to end the year. You
:35:29. > :35:34.get the impression that it has been a pretty demoralising few days for
:35:35. > :35:39.the club. It has been a tough week. Gary will still understand that they
:35:40. > :35:43.need quite a few victories to stay in the league. They have the lowest
:35:44. > :35:49.budget in the league and every game will be tough for them. Cracking
:35:50. > :35:56.goals from Danny Ward. The first was horrific. But I think Gary
:35:57. > :36:05.understood that there would be days like this. Those three points have
:36:06. > :36:10.gone and you have got to move on. They are in a mini table down at the
:36:11. > :36:15.bottom of that league. At one stage this season we thought they would be
:36:16. > :36:22.stranded. They are capable of doing it. And he needs to invigorate them.
:36:23. > :36:30.He is the most enthusiastic man I know. He will be going in and
:36:31. > :36:33.picking the players up. So as far as the Championship is concerned this
:36:34. > :36:40.year is done and dusted. Do we expect the top six to stay the
:36:41. > :36:47.same come the month of May? I expect Nottingham Forest to push on a
:36:48. > :36:53.little bit! Absolutely. Billy has got that momentum back. They had a
:36:54. > :37:01.difficult period with injuries but seem to be back on track. And the
:37:02. > :37:08.dark horses? Anyone could get a run of results and get into the top six.
:37:09. > :37:13.But Brighton, I was worried when Garcia took over. They had injuries,
:37:14. > :37:19.no centre forwards, but they have been solid and have come into decent
:37:20. > :37:27.form. They have shown it consistently. And it looks grim for
:37:28. > :37:34.Barnsley in the bottom half. Do we expect the likes of Bolton and Wigan
:37:35. > :37:42.to still be there? I do not. Wigan have had a tough time. We know they
:37:43. > :37:49.have a good manager. Bolton are stuttering. They have had a lack of
:37:50. > :37:57.goals. But I think they will get it right. And the quality they have in
:37:58. > :38:01.the squad will come to the fore. In League one you have to start with
:38:02. > :38:14.the top two. Leyton Orient took on Wolves.
:38:15. > :38:23.If you think life has been tough for Wolves supporters then imagine what
:38:24. > :38:32.it has been like for those at the other end of the generational scale.
:38:33. > :38:37.During the golden era in the 1950s the club were three times champions
:38:38. > :38:43.in England. Twice they won the FA Cup. And helped lay the foundations
:38:44. > :38:49.for what is now the Champions League. Now their recovery lies in
:38:50. > :38:53.the hands of the man who set Swansea City on the road to their current
:38:54. > :38:59.success and re-established Millwall in the Championship between his
:39:00. > :39:07.summer move to the ground. -- before.
:39:08. > :39:13.The place is full of tradition and history and rightly so. They have
:39:14. > :39:20.had fantastic teams in the past. You forget about the scale. This is an
:39:21. > :39:24.enormous club. It is fantastic. I have played here and been an
:39:25. > :39:32.opposing coach and manager. It is impressive from the outside. It is
:39:33. > :39:36.the biggest compliment. A word to describe how you felt when you got
:39:37. > :39:45.relegated again in May? We were gutted. Not too brilliant. It is
:39:46. > :39:51.just the way it goes. We needed to turn it round quickly and get onto
:39:52. > :39:57.the next one. A very tough League one campaign. And then just some
:39:58. > :40:02.realism of where we are, putting the past behind us. Making sure the
:40:03. > :40:07.relationship between the supporters and the players is repaired. What do
:40:08. > :40:16.you hope for next year? Back into the Championship. I think we are
:40:17. > :40:20.going to do well this season. Some players have been left on the
:40:21. > :40:26.fringes of the squad and they cost a lot of money. It must have been a
:40:27. > :40:30.big dilemma for you. What cannot happen is the progress of the club
:40:31. > :40:36.cannot be hampered whilst we wait for contracts to run out. The
:40:37. > :40:45.development know of quite a young side, that is paramount. This is a
:40:46. > :40:51.huge opportunity. It is a fantastic chance. It is a great club and we
:40:52. > :40:58.are just looking forward positively now. I am now looking for the
:40:59. > :41:07.players to put on a performance that warrants that type of support. The
:41:08. > :41:10.biggest attendance of the season had hardly settled into their seats
:41:11. > :41:24.before they were out of them in celebration. Leighton Oriente knew
:41:25. > :41:36.that this was big. Wolves are intent on battering. Jake Cassady with this
:41:37. > :41:46.rebound. A change of ends brought no change in momentum. The visitors
:41:47. > :42:06.held their nerve and then found a way back. Baudry with his first goal
:42:07. > :42:11.of the season. What are you thinking after that?
:42:12. > :42:16.Disappointed we did not win. We put on a terrific performance. We did
:42:17. > :42:31.not capitalise on chances and situations. Latent Oriente, a
:42:32. > :42:36.resolute side. It is the challenge now to make sure that we replicate
:42:37. > :42:44.that performance in the second half of the season. So far so good for
:42:45. > :42:48.Wolves. And for Leyton Orient. It has been an amazing season. What
:42:49. > :42:54.has been the secret? I think continuity. We managed to keep the
:42:55. > :43:01.group together in the summer. The two players that we did take in, we
:43:02. > :43:07.had them on loan. They were the two major signing of the summer. And it
:43:08. > :43:13.is a lovely group with great characters. We have been careful
:43:14. > :43:16.choosing the right characters. A great captain in Nathan Clark and
:43:17. > :43:21.experience through the side as well. It is a great spirit and a
:43:22. > :43:27.great place to be right now. How hard is it going to be to maintain
:43:28. > :43:32.this? We have maintained it for the best part of the year. It is going
:43:33. > :43:37.to be difficult. We just recently started to pick up some injuries. We
:43:38. > :43:47.have built ourselves the platform now and we are not going to throw
:43:48. > :43:50.that away easily. T It is going to be a tough year, no doubt about
:43:51. > :43:54.that, but we have given ourselveses a real good chance of competing with
:43:55. > :43:59.the boys at the top. This is it. It is about keeping the squad together.
:44:00. > :44:03.You mention the injury, it is coming at the worst possible time, isn't
:44:04. > :44:06.it? I will be grateful when the window is open; I need to get the
:44:07. > :44:10.team a bit of help. The play evers a bit of help in terms of bringing in
:44:11. > :44:16.a few more personnel to help us out, as we know, we are playing our
:44:17. > :44:22.second choice keeper, young Jake, he played at Wolves today, and then we
:44:23. > :44:27.have lost, our top goal scoring David Mooney and Scott Cuthbert has
:44:28. > :44:32.been out. And the list is ever growing, but you know... I bet you
:44:33. > :44:36.are glad you came on! You have to remain positive and hopefully one or
:44:37. > :44:39.two new faces coming in in the window will enhance that group. Of
:44:40. > :44:44.course, very best for the seconds half of the season. More from League
:44:45. > :44:47.One and December -- despite their recent change Brentford were the
:44:48. > :44:53.tomorrow team with their win over Swindon. Their tenth win in 11
:44:54. > :45:04.games. The next challenge game in the form of a rejuvenated MK Dons.
:45:05. > :45:13.After Leyton Orient drew at moll knee this was a chance for them to
:45:14. > :45:20.end in top spot. Donaldson game them an early add ran tan. His latest
:45:21. > :45:26.offering in a highly productive season. The departure of Uwe Rosler
:45:27. > :45:38.hasn't troubled them. They needed a save to preserve the score line. Sam
:45:39. > :45:42.Saunders picked him out and Trotter put them in sight of another winning
:45:43. > :45:48.successful Saunders who played a significant part in this impressive
:45:49. > :45:53.showing got in on the act. Well deserved His third goal in as
:45:54. > :45:58.many games, the contest appeared over.
:45:59. > :46:02.In truth, the MK dons were well beaten, they one lighted was
:46:03. > :46:06.provided by Lee Hodson, his first goal for the club, but Brentford end
:46:07. > :46:12.the year looking down on the rest. And with the manager who believes
:46:13. > :46:16.they can still get better. I thought the first 25 minute, the
:46:17. > :46:21.first half we were excellent. Our shape was good we moved the ball
:46:22. > :46:26.well. We should have been three or four goals, then we got sloppy. I
:46:27. > :46:29.thought the same in the second half. Suddenly, loose in the pass,
:46:30. > :46:38.dropping ten yards deep. We have to learn from that.
:46:39. > :46:43.After three straight home defeat defeats sluice by boss felt this
:46:44. > :46:48.might be the game his side needed. A fine save Superintendented John
:46:49. > :46:55.Taylor putting them ahead. They needed luck to pick up their sixth
:46:56. > :46:59.win in seven. Ian Hulme made an immediate impact from the bench
:47:00. > :47:07.after his 80th minute cross was turned in I by Ryan Woods.
:47:08. > :47:11.With six defeat in nine it has been a tough run for Peterborough. At
:47:12. > :47:20.Brunton Park Shaun Brisley went close, kept out by Ben Amos's Laser
:47:21. > :47:28.reflexes, this hulk Hogan effort was ex rated. The reef re-said stop, red
:47:29. > :47:33.card to be expected. Lee Tomlin takes a mean free-kick.
:47:34. > :47:39.Something Amos can vouch for, in by the bar. Posh's ten men ahead beyond
:47:40. > :47:41.the hour mark. This game turned in Carlisle's
:47:42. > :47:56.favour in a couple of minutes. The second game a mere 70 seconds
:47:57. > :48:01.later. Once again after good service from the flanks.
:48:02. > :48:08.A goal to put them back on track after two league defeats. In the
:48:09. > :48:13.final moment, the away team could have grabbed a point. Mark Little
:48:14. > :48:33.brought down. This match last season saw Port Vale
:48:34. > :48:41.run out 6-2 winners so you wonder what the crowd thought when the
:48:42. > :48:45.first goal came after eight minutes. Rotherham were handed a bake when
:48:46. > :48:55.hay were awarded a penalty. Eight gar made the running. Agar reckons
:48:56. > :49:00.without Sam Johnson. That was let off number one for Port
:49:01. > :49:04.Vale. And another arrived just before
:49:05. > :49:15.half-time. On this occasion Johnson had no hand in keeping Rotherham at
:49:16. > :49:21.bay. O'Connor's free-kick hit the wall -- post. Rotherham made the
:49:22. > :49:25.match tougher for themselves, Davis was given a straight red for that
:49:26. > :49:28.challenge. Was it the tackle or the follow threw? Either way, the
:49:29. > :49:32.referee thought he had the answer, and Rotherham were left to play the
:49:33. > :49:36.final half hour with ten men and it cost them. Port Vale had to wane
:49:37. > :49:41.only ten minutes before wrapping up the points. Tomlin was in the right
:49:42. > :49:48.place to end their unbeaten run. Veil move to within two points of
:49:49. > :49:55.the play-offs. After just one league win in 12,
:49:56. > :50:00.this opener came as a timely lift for Bradford City. Swindon have lost
:50:01. > :50:04.the last two on the road but they have an outstanding prospect in
:50:05. > :50:11.Pritchard. He is on loan from Spurs and came close to equalising, and
:50:12. > :50:14.his persistence was to pay off. The Bantams defence had no answer as
:50:15. > :50:18.Pritchard scored a goal of the highest quality to earn them a point
:50:19. > :50:24.on their travels. He made the opportunity, and finished it off in
:50:25. > :50:29.some style. And Swindon are four points off the top six. So the
:50:30. > :50:32.points shared at valley parade. A cracking goal from Pritchard.
:50:33. > :50:37.Brentford continue to go from strength to strength. They have won
:50:38. > :50:40.11 out of the last 12. They have replayed Leyton Orient at the top of
:50:41. > :50:45.the table going into the New Year. This, I mean basically Warburton has
:50:46. > :50:50.taken on the mantle left by Uwe Rosler. I think it, he has carried
:50:51. > :50:54.on the good work Uwe Rosler left behind. Saunders with a great
:50:55. > :50:58.strike. It was an inspired appointment. Bringing in David Weir
:50:59. > :51:02.who has had experience of the division, as well, excellent coach,
:51:03. > :51:07.it was great. But interesting you said about that 11 wins in the last
:51:08. > :51:11.12 game, that came at the same time that Jonathan Douglas came back into
:51:12. > :51:16.the midfield. He is so influential. A lot of fans think he is vitally
:51:17. > :51:20.important. He has a really good understanding of the game. That was
:51:21. > :51:24.the catalyst as well. I think you would testify to that? I do. He is
:51:25. > :51:30.an experienced player. He has the know how. Don't forget they have a
:51:31. > :51:35.very good squad. For me, one of the favourites at the start of the
:51:36. > :51:39.season, despite Wolves coming down, they were going up to be up there,
:51:40. > :51:43.they are on a great run at the minute, it is a fantastic
:51:44. > :51:48.opportunity for Mark to fill that vacancy and push them on, but, yeah,
:51:49. > :51:51.they are going to be there for me. Let us look at the top half of the
:51:52. > :51:58.table then. Now we have reached the end of 2013.
:51:59. > :52:04.How big an achievement is it to see Leyton Orient in second? It is a
:52:05. > :52:10.great achievement. I have known the manager a long time he won't be
:52:11. > :52:15.happy. He is up there for a reason, because they played fantastic game
:52:16. > :52:20.football, they have been positive; am sure that will continue, so yes,
:52:21. > :52:28.it's a great achievement up to now, but they will want to know, to go
:52:29. > :52:31.and finish it off. Think the supporters understand just how good
:52:32. > :52:35.this team are, with the squad of 19 players from the start of the
:52:36. > :52:38.season, with first year pro-s on the bench. There has been a great spirit
:52:39. > :52:43.there and I am sure Russell will want to continue that. Kicking on
:52:44. > :52:48.after a couple of near miss last season, who is the best team you
:52:49. > :52:53.faced this season? Probably Coventry, we have played them three
:52:54. > :52:58.time, I think Steve has done a great job there, it can't be easy playing
:52:59. > :53:02.away from home in front of 1800 fans, what he gets out of them,
:53:03. > :53:06.certainly in terms of going forward is remarkable, they look a threat,
:53:07. > :53:09.every time they go forward... The top scorers in the Football League.
:53:10. > :53:14.If you put the ten points on from the desuction they would be in the
:53:15. > :53:22.play-offs They are strong competitors and hopefully when I
:53:23. > :53:27.have them out of the way... OK. Last look at League One starts at
:53:28. > :53:35.Priestfield as Gillingham look to bounce back. Walsall were the
:53:36. > :53:39.visitors this time. Some at Gillingham felled felt hay
:53:40. > :53:44.should have won at Leyton Orient but failed to take their chance, that is
:53:45. > :53:48.somebody McDonald can't be accused of as he pulled off this cracker
:53:49. > :53:52.after half-time. They hit the bar twice before Walsall drew back
:53:53. > :53:58.level. Saws rounding off a neat move to score for the second time in
:53:59. > :54:04.three games, despite the best efforts of Leon Legge on the line.
:54:05. > :54:10.Anyone who decided to make an early exit missed out on a thrilling
:54:11. > :54:15.finish. The Julian Gray blasted Dean Smith's side into the lead.
:54:16. > :54:21.But in the second added minute, McDonald kept his head, after losing
:54:22. > :54:25.his footing, to put the Gills back on terms.
:54:26. > :54:30.And there was still time for further drama, as Richard o Donald denied
:54:31. > :54:38.Gillingham an incredible win and McDonald the match ball.
:54:39. > :54:42.We have conceded two goals which in the end were poor goals, they are
:54:43. > :54:46.little things we have to learn, that is why we are in the position we are
:54:47. > :54:54.in, but the players never stop, and they kept on believing, and they
:54:55. > :54:57.deserve a lot of credit for that. Johnson Clark Harris holds the
:54:58. > :55:07.record as Coventry's youngest player. He never scored for the Sky
:55:08. > :55:14.Blues, against he thumped in a goal against them.
:55:15. > :55:22.Carl Baker with the 4th goal of the season for League One's highest
:55:23. > :55:25.scorers. Home to the bottom side after
:55:26. > :55:29.scoring six goals in two games Colchester must have been aiming
:55:30. > :55:34.high, even more so when they went ahead after half an hour through
:55:35. > :55:42.this deflected free-kick. But Crewe up their game after the
:55:43. > :55:47.interval. They were almost handed and equaliser. Tom Hitchcock found
:55:48. > :55:51.the angle and the keeper too much to beat. If only Wilson had been able
:55:52. > :55:58.to repeat his block on inman soon after. He didn't and Crewe were
:55:59. > :56:03.level. -- Inman. Prolonged celebrations you
:56:04. > :56:09.might think. Just wait. Because three minutes later Inman as
:56:10. > :56:12.it again. This time it was Hitchcock who cashed in and he certainly
:56:13. > :56:15.milked the moment. His third goal in four game, Crewe
:56:16. > :56:21.off the bottom with their second away win of the season.
:56:22. > :56:28.For John Gregory and his cauly players this was the perfect
:56:29. > :56:32.response to their Boxing Day defeat. This left Notts County chasing the
:56:33. > :56:36.game. County had only one once way from
:56:37. > :56:44.home in the league this season, and a second caution for Sheen ended his
:56:45. > :56:51.afternoon. Deliberate handball and dismissal followed. Jamie Proctor
:56:52. > :56:58.was one fortunate not to make Crawley's margin of victory better
:56:59. > :57:03.but they got the result they wanted. Crunch games between teams at the
:57:04. > :57:08.bottom can be tight, tense after if fairers with little goalmouth
:57:09. > :57:13.action. Nine minutes on the clock when Murphy converted from close
:57:14. > :57:17.range. Taylor came within inches of another own goal, when Murphy fired
:57:18. > :57:21.into the box, Taylor scored at the wrong end when the sides last met in
:57:22. > :57:26.March. United weren't in need of a helping hand on this occasion
:57:27. > :57:32.doubling their lead just before the hour, but backster swept home Port
:57:33. > :57:38.ter's centre, and the Blades were home and dry, this time Murphy
:57:39. > :57:40.played provider with Flynn the grateful recipient.
:57:41. > :57:44.Tranmere have done better on the road than at home, and the
:57:45. > :57:50.travelling fans did have some cause for cheer late on, as tailor showed
:57:51. > :57:54.his pros we at the right end, following their failure to clear a
:57:55. > :57:57.free-kick. Although Kirby came within inches of reducing the
:57:58. > :58:02.deficit further, in the final minute, this was a comfortable
:58:03. > :58:06.victory for Nigel Clough's side The pressure was on, we have trained all
:58:07. > :58:12.week really well, we wanted to win today. There is no doubt about that.
:58:13. > :58:18.The lads have been superb. On a day where Lewis Carey set a new
:58:19. > :58:22.appearance record for Bristol City the Robbens began brightly. Scott
:58:23. > :58:28.Wagstaff's cross met by cunning happen. His second professional
:58:29. > :58:34.goal. It got better still six minutes later. Thomas the drivings
:58:35. > :58:47.for. Baldock the goal score for the third league game on the bounce.
:58:48. > :58:56.Emanuel Thomas has thrived since his move away from Ipswich. It has been
:58:57. > :59:16.his best scoring season to date. He grabbed two goals. That is ten in
:59:17. > :59:21.his last 13 appearances. Great to have back to back wins
:59:22. > :59:26.because in any division that is difficult. So that was great to get
:59:27. > :59:33.that and it gives the supporters of good and to the year. Hopefully
:59:34. > :59:35.everyone has had a good Christmas. Another good result for Bristol
:59:36. > :59:39.City. Nothing harder than getting
:59:40. > :59:46.back-to-back wins in the Football League. To take a look at the bottom
:59:47. > :59:51.of league one. Some big teams down at the bottom. You look at Sheffield
:59:52. > :00:05.United and the likes of Bristol City. Do we expect them to stay
:00:06. > :00:09.there? We do not. Bristol City has appointed Steve who is a very
:00:10. > :00:15.experienced manager and full of enthusiasm. He knows the area as
:00:16. > :00:17.well. Because you have two managed the supporters as well as the
:00:18. > :00:23.players. Those back-to-back wins will have given them a lift. And
:00:24. > :00:29.what about your old club, Notts County? They have played two games
:00:30. > :00:38.more than Oldham. Is the pressure off, maybe being a young manager?
:00:39. > :00:44.Does that work against him? I know Sean very well. I signed him for
:00:45. > :00:49.Notts County when he was fifth team. He has got Greg Abbott with him as
:00:50. > :00:53.well. So that is experience. And Greg knows the league inside out.
:00:54. > :00:58.Between them they have got the toughest job of all. They are
:00:59. > :01:07.anchored at the bottom at the moment. But as anyone can, I would
:01:08. > :01:13.give them a chance. In league two one game fell foul of the weather.
:01:14. > :01:21.And Chesterfield were elevated back to the top of the division. They
:01:22. > :01:28.welcomed Dagenham to the pro-Iraq Stadium.
:01:29. > :01:33.Dagenham have not had much joy on the road recently but they will feel
:01:34. > :01:48.they missed the chance of an eye-catching win.
:01:49. > :02:01.They were then given a man advantage after Sam Hurst 's Allred for
:02:02. > :02:07.tripping Rhys Murphy. -- saw red. The ten men took the lead just after
:02:08. > :02:17.the restart. This handball allowing Mark Richards the chance to show how
:02:18. > :02:33.it is done. A moment of magic from a go-go Drew Dagenham level. - Agogo.
:02:34. > :02:40.I thought the first half performance did not reflect as at all. The lads
:02:41. > :02:58.came out with credit in the second half to take the point.
:02:59. > :03:09.Scunthorpe were playing catch up. Oxford's league defeats have all
:03:10. > :03:18.come at home. They were lucky not to fall to behind when the referee saw
:03:19. > :03:26.this handball. Ryan Clark's save ensured just a single goal half-time
:03:27. > :03:33.deficit. Burton went clear. The clincher came through the boot of
:03:34. > :03:41.Donnie Mullins. His fourth of the season, all away from home. Oxford
:03:42. > :03:56.got a penalty of their own when the keeper was slow coming off his
:03:57. > :04:02.line. James Constable tripped. One-way traffic at the Pirelli
:04:03. > :04:05.Stadium. Phil Edwards is one of two Bolton players who struck the
:04:06. > :04:14.woodwork in this one-sided encounter. Sheriff also came close.
:04:15. > :04:28.The Newport keeper had to perform miracles. This save from Billy Key
:04:29. > :04:38.was the final score. Adam McGuirk's luck was out on this occasion. But
:04:39. > :04:42.Burton secured another 1-the Old Vic three.
:04:43. > :04:51.Really pleased. It shows how much the site has progressed and it just
:04:52. > :04:55.shows our potential. -- the side. The young up and coming manager
:04:56. > :05:04.against the one who has been there and got the T-shirt. Doing a
:05:05. > :05:09.sterling job at Accrington. Phil Brown almost 20 years we see's
:05:10. > :05:15.senior almost saw his side fall behind. But with all that experience
:05:16. > :05:24.it is nothing that he had not seen before. Phillips tried to atone for
:05:25. > :05:33.his earlier mistake. When he did find a way past, the post got in the
:05:34. > :05:38.way. A useful point for both sides. Rovers arrived with four points from
:05:39. > :05:45.the two games either side of Christmas. They had plenty of first
:05:46. > :05:51.half possession. The keeper missed the Boxing Day victory over
:05:52. > :05:59.Mansfield. They broke the deadlock when Joe Rafferty combined with
:06:00. > :06:10.Matty land. The midfielder swung the ball in. -- Lund. Jack O'Connell's
:06:11. > :06:28.clearance gave O'Connell something to chase.
:06:29. > :06:43.Andy Fleming is not afraid to try his luck for Morecambe. Just
:06:44. > :06:54.clipping the bar. It could have been to before half-time. Three minutes
:06:55. > :07:05.from time it appeared, the striker's first shot in ten. That's
:07:06. > :07:12.part of dramatic finish. The ball something back off the crossbar. --
:07:13. > :07:27.something. Flinders save this initial shot and this was superb
:07:28. > :07:36.from Kevin Ellison. Hartlepool securing the jury. -- the victory.
:07:37. > :07:42.Quite an upset at Cheltenham. Baron Harrison's early efforts seem to
:07:43. > :07:50.confirm a rough ride for Mansfield. Anthony Howell got the opener. Scott
:07:51. > :08:02.Brown apparently to stand to move. Then Mansfield went to up. -- two
:08:03. > :08:10.up. And they are confident display continued. Cheltenham did pull one
:08:11. > :08:14.back but Mansfield held on. They have put much-needed breathing space
:08:15. > :08:21.between themselves and the drop zone.
:08:22. > :08:28.End of year bragging rights at stake in the Devon derby. Torquay had the
:08:29. > :08:38.chance to draw first blood. Karl Hawley was denied in front of home
:08:39. > :08:45.fans. Their neighbours seized the first advantage. Torquay's troubles
:08:46. > :08:54.worsened, David Wheeler increasing the lead. That composed finish but
:08:55. > :09:05.Exeter back in the groove after consecutive defeats. The game was
:09:06. > :09:14.now firmly back in the balance. With five minutes left, Alan Power
:09:15. > :09:24.wrapped things up to dump Torquay back into the bottom two. Exeter now
:09:25. > :09:29.five points off the top seven. For Wimbledon fans a goal of any
:09:30. > :09:36.kind would give the year end celebrations a lift. Michael
:09:37. > :09:49.Smith's finish underline exact play why his club wants to extend his
:09:50. > :09:56.loan. The Dons keeper was that full stretch as the Pilgrims chased an
:09:57. > :10:14.equaliser. Ben Harrington kept his place. His delivery met by breed. --
:10:15. > :10:18.Reid. A game for in quality was almost lit
:10:19. > :10:30.up by a goal of real class. Matt Duke was well beaten. The squad was
:10:31. > :10:42.ravaged by injuries especially in attack. But it did not result in a
:10:43. > :10:46.match winner. Anyone who thinks lean to it's all
:10:47. > :10:52.about long balls and physicality might need to revise their opinion.
:10:53. > :11:05.The opening goal was a terrific team effort finished off by Anton
:11:06. > :11:12.Forrester. Aaron McCarey's fumble was punished by Nathan Cameron. York
:11:13. > :11:24.had won just one of 15 reviewers cup games. Michael Coulson got his first
:11:25. > :11:32.of the season. But it was five wins in eight for Bury. That was the
:11:33. > :11:39.turbulent 12 months for the football club. One result that stands out is
:11:40. > :11:54.Scunthorpe at Oxford. 2-yl winners. A great result. The side are totally
:11:55. > :11:58.rejuvenated. We were talking about it before. Another young manager who
:11:59. > :12:03.knows the league inside out and Scunthorpe as well and has news that
:12:04. > :12:10.wisely. And there is much to be said about that. If we look at the top of
:12:11. > :12:13.the table, good to see Burton in third. But there is a point to be
:12:14. > :12:26.made about these young English managers. Kevin Nugent led to his
:12:27. > :12:33.trade that way as well and is doing a terrific job. With limited
:12:34. > :12:37.resources. Very little budget, one of the smallest in the league. And
:12:38. > :12:47.they got a great result that Chesterfield today. And Newport,
:12:48. > :12:58.what an outstanding job. For the bottom, it beggars belief to see
:12:59. > :13:09.Portsmouth at 17. Portsmouth and restore Rovers both jump out. --
:13:10. > :13:16.restore Rovers. They know that they should be doing better with their
:13:17. > :13:21.fan base. There have been problems with injury. And they are trying to
:13:22. > :13:27.introduce young players into the squad which I think is the right way
:13:28. > :13:33.to go for Bristol Rovers. Before we go a quick reminder to join Gary for
:13:34. > :13:38.a round-up of all Premier League games in Match Of The Day on New
:13:39. > :13:46.Year's Day. Great to see you tonight. Rank you for your company.
:13:47. > :14:26.-- thank you. Have a great year and see you next year. Good night. #
:14:27. > :14:27.Come