Gap at top closes up, gap at bottom couldn't be closer

Last updated : 30 March 2009 By Shrimpers24

Peterborough United 2 Leicester City 0

The Foxes have dominated League One for much of the season, but their lead is down to four points following defeat at London Road.

Posh, who had boss Darren Ferguson sent to the stands, went ahead when Charlie Lee beat three men and fired home.

The home side continued to create the best chances with Craig Mackail-Smith and Dean Keates wasting good openings.

Barry Hayles and Paul Dickov went close for City but Posh sealed a deserved win when Chris Whelpdale shot home after wonderful work by Craig Mackail-Smith.

Crewe Alexandra 0 Millwall 1

Debutant Jason Price scored in stoppage-time to hand Millwall their sixth straight away win and keep them firmly implanted in the play-off picture.

The first half seemed to be passing by without much incident of note until Neil Harris caused a lengthy delay after going off on a stretcher following a clash of heads.

Prior to that, James Henry - who is on loan at Millwall from Reading - was having a major influence on proceedings and kept John Ruddy on his toes.

Henry continued to impress after the restart but it was Price who was the hero in the dying seconds, turning home after the ball had bounced off Ruddy.

Leeds United 2 MK Dons 0

Jermaine Beckford returned from suspension to take his goals tally to 18 in 15 games to keep alive Leeds' slim chance of automatic promotion against MK Dons.

Beckford has proved to be the Leeds hero on numerous occasions this season and he put them ahead when he finished Luciano Becchio's header across goal.

Leeds came into the game on the back of three straight wins and Beckford doubled the advantage after the interval - the 11th time this season he has scored two or more in a game.

Scunthorpe United 3 Colchester United 0

Gary Hooper grabbed a timely double to lead Scunthorpe to a routine victory over mid-table Colchester.

Scunthorpe came into the game having won their last two home fixtures and Hooper looked set to extend this run when he rounded Mark Cousins and tapped the ball home.

Hooper then grabbed his 24th league goal of the campaign and his 12th in the last 14 games a minute before the hour with a neat finish from Henri Lansbury's pass.

The Arsenal loanee then added his own name to the scoresheet as Scunthorpe remain in the final play-off place.

Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Tranmere Rovers 0

Tranmere were unable to break down a stubborn Brighton side with the draw doing little to help either sides individual needs.

Brighton need to start picking up wins soon in their quest to beat the drop with Craig Davies having a few chances to break the deadlock.

At the other end, Tranmere are still in the running to gain a play-off place and Ian Moore possibly wasted their best chance to seal the win.

Leyton Orient 2 Oldham Athletic 1

Jason Demetriou scored a priceless goal six minutes from time to help Orient in their fight against relegation, while Joe Royle still seeks his first win as Oldham boss.

Royle came into the game having failed to win in his first two games in the Oldham hotseat, but David Whitaker's second goal in successive games increased the likelihood of this run ending on 34 minutes.

Orient came into the game having only scored more than one goal on a single occasion this season, but Scott McGleish hauled them level from the penalty spot after Reuben Hazell brought down Dean Morgan.

And the comeback was complete when Demetriou rifled past Shane Supple from the edge of the box.

Bristol Rovers 2 Stockport County 0

Ricky Lambert scored his 100th career goal to help Bristol Rovers seal a comfortable victory and leapfrog Stockport in the league table.

Byron Anthony fired the home side into the lead inside four minutes after good work from Steve Elliott.

Lambert then doubled Rovers' advantage against his former club from the penalty spot after James Tunnicliffe was adjudged to have handled.

Walsall 1 Cheltenham Town 1

An own goal from Michael Townsend could prove costly in Cheltenham's battle against relegation although they extended their unbeaten run to five games.

Cheltenham got a flyer out of the blocks and took the inside three minutes when Frankie Artus found the top corner from long range.

But Walsall continued to press for a point and got their reward when Chris Palmer's cross was turned into his own net by Townsend on 66 minutes.

Hereford United 0 Huddersfield Town 1

A solitary goal from Michael Collins was enough to leave Hereford staring into the face of relegation as Huddersfield left Edgar Street three points better off.

Hereford were eight points from safety prior to kick-off and they were lucky to remain on level terms as Anthony Pilkington squandered numerous chances to beat Peter Gulacsi.

However, Huddersfield's pressure was finally rewarded 18 minutes from time when Collins toe-poked the ball home from close range for his ninth of the campaign.

Yeovil Town 1 Swindon Town 0

Jonathan Obika's first senior goal gave Yeovil their first win under player-manager Terry Skiverton at the expense of Swindon.

Yeovil arrived at Huish Park having scored only once in their last six games, but Obika grabbed his first goal since arriving on loan from Tottenham with a fine lob over Phil Smith.

Obika had further chances to extend the advantage after the break, while at the other end Simon Cox came the closest to earning Swindon a point.

Carlisle United 1 Northampton Town 1

In a game where both sides were in need of the three points to enhance their chances of avoiding relegation, Luke Gutteridge conjured up a goal to earn Northampton a share of the spoils.

Carlisle had the better of the possession in the opening stages and they deservedly went ahead when Lewis Neal fastened onto Michael Bridges' lofted pass on 37 minutes.

However, the visitors managed to fashion an equaliser four minutes before the break when Gutteridge turned the ball home from close range.

Danny Graham had a late chance to win it for the home side but he was thwarted by Chris Dunn.

Southend United 3 Hartlepool United 2 (played on Friday March 27)

For a full report and player markings go here:
www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=440051

Coca-Cola Football League One

Latest match Saturday,
28th March 2009
PldHomeAwayOverallPtsEP
WDLFAWDLFAWDLFA
1Leicester City 40127136121163352223134713482+37
2Peterborough United 4013433719105534292398714878+23
3Millwall 39104523181235312422710544273+12
4Milton Keynes Dons 39104638231054362220910744569+29
5Leeds United 3914244219739242621513664568+21
6Scunthorpe United 3912433920839303220712695267+17
7Tranmere Rovers 40134336185510182518913544363+11
8Southend United 4012262716659243818715515461-3
9Oldham Athletic 4097432206772736151411595659+3
10Stockport County 4086629237582526151114544956+5
11Walsall 40103731305782326151015545655-2
12Bristol Rovers 3884633226863326141212664854+18
13Colchester United 397492121856313215915525354-1
14Huddersfield Town 3987529256582232141213515754-6
15Leyton Orient 3954101826758182212918364845-12
16Swindon Town 4076735323892532101416606444-4
17Hartlepool United 40776393443131733111019566743-11
18Carlisle United 40758323045111733111019496343-14
19Crewe Alexandra 4083929334412253912721547243-18
20Northampton Town 387753121351120301012165151420
21Yeovil Town 38495192263111435101216335742-24
22Brighton & Hove Albion 3846102636468162481218426036-18
23Hereford United 386492120321413419623346133-27
24Cheltenham Town 3965928361513184671022468231-36